After a somewhat wet summer, and a “moral” victory in the Ashes series, it’s feels great that the rugby season is back upon us. I hope you all managed to have a restful summer break amongst your friends and family.
It was a bittersweet period for our family – a lovely week in Tuscany with childhood friends, but on our return my brother-in-law sadly passed away at the tender age of 51. Another reminder to cherish what we have, and regularly check in with our loved ones.
Ruislip Rugby Club is now entering our 70th season – what a phenomenal achievement for our local grassroots club. We will be looking for ways to celebrate this milestone through the season, any suggestions gratefully received. Our Youth Chair tells me that we now have more teenage players/teams than ever before. We now have an equal 50:50 split in terms of male and female players at adult level, with enough numbers to fill 2.5 squads each. And our Minis section continues to go from strength to strength.
Really excited to see how everyone gets on this season, and I wish all our players the very best. Please do come to the bar after a match or training session – it’s a great way to catch up and get to know fellow members, especially with the Rugby World Cup matches being shown live at the clubhouse.
The Club Committee has been hard at work over the summer – we are delighted to welcome Lisa Pape (Chair – Women & Girls), as we look to take more inspiration from their runaway success since starting up just 4 years ago. You will see that the toilets are being upgraded, potholes being repaired, kitchen appliances being fitted. These things take time & cost money, so please bear with us as we try to improve our offering to the club membership.
There will be more exciting news to follow – a new website, another new sponsor (just waiting to finalise agreement before announcing), and kicking off formally our clubhouse extension project (planning application has been submitted).
A huge thanks as always to our army of volunteer coaches & admin (new tackle height laws this season!), who I am sure would welcome any assistance offered by you. Please do read through this newsletter – lots of important messages and actions required.
Hope to meet many of you pitchside or in the bar soon
Through the summer, we have been looking after some of the less glamorous elements in and around the clubhouse. Apart from the installation of new Ladies’ and Men’s toilets, we have been quietly upgrading the clubhouse services and infrastructure. This has included a new boiler for our toilets together with other heating related items and the updating of some of our electrical and gas services.
It’s all is part of a programme of upgrades that we are implementing to bring us into line with all of the latest regulations and requirements for a clubhouse type building. This represents a considerable investment into the stuff that you don’t necessarily see, but which enables Ruislip to function and operate fully for its members.
This work will be ongoing into the new season.
There has been considerable remedial work and investment on the front two pitches over the summer ahead of the season starting next week. This work is quite often unseen, but a massive thank you to everyone for playing and training elsewhere to ensure that the pitches are ready to go. Thank you also to everyone, particularly Jenney and Reece Dowden, who took time to water both pitches on a regular basis.
New equipment is slowly but surely starting to arrive at the club over the next few weeks. This includes new post protectors(kindly sponsored by both Robert Cooper and The Russell Partnership) and will be followed by new flags, tackle bags and tackle shields.
Once again, thank you to the volunteers who gave up time to clear and sort the containers over the summer. Any questions on equipment, please see your section chair.
The Rugby World Cup beckons and the clubhouse will be open for many of the fixtures.
With drinks promotions, sweepstake competitions and food on offer, the clubhouse is the place to be.
Keep an eye on our social media channels (facebook and instagram) for how we will be celebrating the biggest event in the Rugby calendar.
Some of or youth players and Rubies met and trained with member of the New Zealand team over the summer. They had a brilliant day out and even got gifted with some fantastic new training kit.
Members of the Women’s Team were recently invited to Twickenham for the England v Fiji match in the Summer Nations Series. They had a chance to mingle with Rugby Royalty before watching the match in the Royal Box. A fantastic day out for all.
The Summer Ball came back with a bang at the beginning of July with a fantastic “Red and White” theme. Guests were treated to a beautiful gourmet 3 course meal accompanied by some beautiful wine. Our auction was a runaway success helping to raise some much vital money for our nominated charity, The Oesophageal Patients Association. Women’s player and U9 coach Rachel Butler was presented with the club Rose Bowl, recognising her contribution to both women’s and mini’s rugby at the club. Guests danced the night away at the end of the evening and it was wonderful to see representation from all sections of the club in attendance. A massive thank you to everyone who helped pull the Ball together with the biggest shout out to Bob Harrison for all his efforts in ensuring the ball was a resounding success. We are looking forward to 2024 already!
Our Rugby Safe committee has been meeting over the summer to ensure that Ruislip RFC is meeting all RFU Rugby Safe protocol, aiming to ensure the safety of all our players. Last year the club had 32 coaches take part in and receive a First Aid qualification highlighting our commitment to the importance of player welfare.
This year we plan to ensure that we have a First Aid rota every Sunday at training. Each age group will also receive a fully replenished First Aid kit. We have also recently received a second portable defibrillator.
Accident Reporting
We will once again be using the ProActive app to ensure that ALL accidents are reported fully during training and fixtures. This will allow our committee and physios to follow up on any accidents, thus ensuring our players are safe to train and play. If you would like to volunteer to help your age group in this, please talk to to your team admin/head coach.
Headcase/Concussion Protocol
All of our coaches have undertaken training in concussion protocol with the RFU. We have included a useful infographic which we ask you to read. If you have any concerns over any player in terms of concussion during training, please alert a member of your coaching team immediately.
Club Safeguarding Team
A reminder of our club safeguarding leads. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team or the committee if you have any concerns over player welfare, safety or and safeguarding issues.
Memberships are now available through GMS. Family discounts are available for those with more than one child joining the club. Information has also been sent out about Senior Memberships.
Can we please ask that ALL players are re-registered ASAP. Memberships are also available to purchase at the same time on GMS, with the option to pay over three instalments.
We are committed to being an inclusive club – if you have any questions about the affordability of membership or any of the kit you will need, speak to one of your coaches or email memberships@ruisliprfc.co.uk.
Middlesex Financial Support Fund
Middlesex are once again offering grants to support those who qualify for the fund. We really encourage you to apply for the fund if you feel it will be of benefit to you and your family.
Middlesex Financial Support Fund 2023/2024
Middlesex are pleased to announce the continuation of the Middlesex Financial Support Fund. The grant will support age grade players from disadvantaged backgrounds in paying club membership fees, purchasing club kit, boots, sports bras and gumshields.
Middlesex Rugby are thankful to the grant we have received from the Middlesex Sports Foundation, which makes this support for our age grade players achievable.
The financial support fund can be accessed by a club or a parent/guardian for a child under the age of 18 via the online application form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiPQUQ9AFpSfvvYKCZW3kzRMYfnaLU whdwgp7ekOk61mbAQA/viewform
Used kit will be available to purchase from the Clubhouse on a Sunday. All we require is a cash donation towards the kit.
All money received will go back into support mini’s and youth rugby.
If you have any used kit that is in good condition and you are willing to donate, we will collecting it in the clubhouse on a Sunday morning.
This summer there have been some changes to the committee. A massive thank you to Aaron Chichon as he hands over the Mini’s Chair reigns to Aoife Coyle. Aaron has made a huge impact on our mini’s rugby section, particularly with his guidance throughout COVID. Aaron helped support recruitment in our mini’s and the successful return of the mini’s tour and Middlesex Festivals to the club. We thank him for all of his hard work. Aaron will now take on the role of managing and coordinating our club Sponsorship. If you are interested in Sponsorship then please contact sponsors@ruisliprfc.co.uk.
We also say a big thank you to Ivan Moore for his role as treasurer over the last 2 years and welcome Alex Cunliffe who will now oversee this role for the 23/24 season, as well as Memberships and Data Manager.
And a big welcome to Lisa Pape who will now takes the position of Women’s and Girl’s Chair within the committee. We are really looking forward to her contribution following the success of the Women’s team last year.
