It’s been a long time since I wrote to the whole Club on behalf of the Management Committee. In the interim, there has been a blizzard of communication from the RFU, the County and the Government and its agencies. We have tried not to overload you with messages that are repeats, forwards or simply unnecessary. However, a new season is about to begin and we think it is worth making a few points that affect all of us. I’ve kept them brief, I hope you don’t find them too curt!
The season technically begins on Saturday 5th September for Adult rugby and Sunday 6th September for Age-grade rugby. However, no re-start date has been set for matches and we are all restricted to training activities which comply with the RFU’s Return to Community Rugby Roadmap We are currently at Stage C.
The clubhouse will remain closed for the time being. Access to toilets via a one-way system will be allowed, but changing rooms and showers will be out of bounds.
We are working on plans to allow the clubhouse kitchen and bar to reopen and have had a couple of limited experiments to better understand what we can do whilst remaining safe and compliant with the law. It is likely that we will re-open the bar first, to coincide with some of the Premiership rugby on TV. When we do so, we will announce the plans to all.
Club Membership subscriptions will become due on the 1st September. We have kept the costs to the same level as last season and we will offer as much rugby as we can. That includes training, matches, pitches and the clubhouse. We need to keep a roof over our heads and bills still need to be paid.
As always, the club will be run by volunteer members for the benefit of all. We expect (and we need) every member to contribute, either by playing the game or performing a voluntary role. That could be coaching, refereeing, helping in the clubhouse or emptying the bins.
We are in constant touch with other clubs and the RFU, and will move as fast as is sensible and safe. But these are difficult times for the Game of Rugby.
We have had great support from all members so far. We are very grateful for that. Thank you. The Government and Hillingdon Council have also been very supportive.
The clubhouse now has a new alarm system and closed-circuit TV recording inside and out. Work is in hand to finish the improvements to the hall and the changing rooms
The new website is up and running, and populated with more accurate data https://ruisliprfc.rfu.club/
If you have comments or suggestions for improvement please contact Tim Harrington at secretary@ruisliprfc.co.uk
We will be back on-stream just as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding.
Eddie
Chairman, Ruislip RFC