President Newsletter
November 2007
In the words of Victor Meldrew: ”I can’t believe it”! Here we are almost at the half way point of the season already. Time flies when you are kept busy. Numbers in the club are on a par with last season, but with growing numbers in the micro/ mini, and numbers decreasing in the U16 section we are not in the healthy position I would have hoped for a year ago. More of that later.
The Micro and Mini sections have started the season well, with good numbers turning up for training on Saturday mornings. Coaches are always in great demand, and with the assistance of willing parents, and the forthcoming joint Foundation/Referee course at Garioch on November 4th, I see these sections of the club blossoming. To date we only have 3 candidates from Garioch, but we expect an attendance of over 30. You can still enrol for this course, with forms being available through the website.
A new, in house, “Coach the Coaches” initiative has started with a great response from the Junior Coaches. This has been designed by Gazz Waldron and Rob Donaghue, with the purpose of giving the coaches new ideas, a coaching structure to improve / teach basic skills, and a progressive programme to work through for individuals.
On the subject of coaches, Gazz Waldron stays on in the club for the season as a Backs Coach and player for the seniors. He has been joined by Rob Donaghue, of Brisbane Irish, primarily as Forwards Coach and player. Rob has a wealth of experience, not only in playing the game, but in club structure also. In the short time he has been with Garioch, those of you that have met him have been impressed with what he has to offer. You can’t really miss him – he’s a big lad standing around 6’6” and sounds a bit like Rolf Harris.
Moving on to the S1/S2’s. We have had to increase this section with the introduction of S3 players. Unfortunately there seems to be a gap with very few S4 players around. Please bear in mind that it is not only Garioch having problems with this age group, and we are working hard on recruitment within schools to improve these numbers. The players we do have though, are enjoying their rugby and that is the priority. We have 5 coaches turning up on a regular basis, looking after these lads, and this can only prove an asset for the future. Twice- a -week training has also benefited the section, as Rugby and Soccer, Scouts and Swimming, all vie for these youngsters’ leisure time.Training is on Sunday Mornings 10am – Noon & Wednesday Evenings 7.00pm- 8.30pm
Not the numbers in the U18’s that I had hoped for either. With last season U16’s moving up I expected at least 30 lads turning up for training and looking for games. I watched a couple of league matches, and we do have a committed squad here, it just needs to be bolstered a bit by numbers. The lads are currently sitting second in the league, and confidence is riding high. Training is along-side Seniors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.15 pm sharp.
Seniors. Garioch welcomes a new First XV Captain this season in the shape of Neil Moir. Following in his father’s footsteps Neil is the elder son of Keith Moir, who Captained the Club in the 1980’s, so it is fantastic to have this piece of history in place at the club.
Alpha Plus Groundcare sponsors the Seniors Shirts for the 3rd season in succession and the squad is determined to do the Garioch Gold proud. Thanks go out to Steve Mathews.
At the time of writing this, the First XV has completed the 6th match in the league campaign, and is sitting joint top with Aberdeen University, so it has been a good start with just rewards for the effort put in at training. Several new player are on show, although some only temporarily. We have an exciting scrumhalf with an unforgettable hairstyle - a bit like an explosion at a mattress factory. Mathew Guyan from Port Elizabeth in South Africa will be with us for the first half of the season. He has great flair, in addition to the hair and if you come to the last home games before the Christmas break, you could well see him in action. Alvaro MacIntosh has burst on to the scene, but being a student at Heriot Watt University, he will be limited to the amount of games he can turn out for Garioch. Richard Ettles has returned as a senior player, and has made a place in the back row his own. Rob MacLean has arrived from the Howe of Fife club, and slotted impressively into the centre. Simon Walker has shown great pace and vision on the wing, Lloyd Popp, a teacher from Kemnay Academy comes to Garioch at hooker. Bob Peebles was appointed 2nd XV Captain at the AGM, but has shown he is worth his place, as an impact player with the 1’s, and Duncan Ross has finally returned from his days in the wilderness, to his rightful place at fullback. It is also good to see the return from injury of Laird Parker, and with the imminent return of last seasons captain Willie McTurk,to the cause, the forwards have a strength in depth that has been left wanting in recent seasons.
The Second XV got a run out recently against a stuffy side from West Dyce. Garioch prevailed on the day and it turned out to be a terrific game by all reports. Played in the true spirit of the game, it served as a great introduction to senior rugby for those U18s who are there or there about.
I was disappointed to see Des Neill take a horrific knee injury, which will probably end his rugby career. Des has been a great servant to Garioch and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Several U18’s from last season are now firmly ensconced in the senior set up. With Mark Cowie (Stretch) standing around 8’ 13” or maybe slightly shorter, being the most notable.
The club welcomes Rachel Lamb, who is a Physiotherapist and is sorting the injured on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Rachel is also in attendance at senior matches.
Schools Rugby
Garioch Rugby Football Club is committed to continuing the schools initiative. This season all schools in the club’s catchment area, are receiving coaching sessions free of charge. The three Academies of Inverurie, Kemnay and Meldrum plus around 16 Primary Schools are being catered for with proper blocks of rugby coaching. This is thanks to a selection of Sponsors, namely Lawrence of Kemnay for providing 2 x loan cars for Gaz and Rob, to Baker Oiltools, Protech Centreform, Ferguson Modular, Dynamic Equipment Company and Tawse Tyres for the funding and to Bon Accord Landscapes for buying all the training equipment. A partnership agreement with the SRU, which has been negotiated over the past few weeks, assists the cause as well. The ultimate aim is to increase numbers of children playing the game, and with proper marketing, to swell the numbers in the club. This is a long term plan, and I’m sure the Schools Coaching Coordinator Pete Thomson, will be happy to answer any questions you may have on this project. 151 Primary schoolchildren from the Garioch Academy feeder schools, recently took part in a Ripper-tag Rugby Carnival hosted by the club, and what a success. There will be more of such festivals in the future, and a Secondary Schools tournament is in the pipeline for some time in November.
Fundraising and Sponsorship. The Christmas Raffle tickets are out there and only needing to be sold. All our main prizes are sponsored, with Nautronix Marine Technology Solutions providing the 1st prize of £750, (Woodcock) Bill Christie providing the 2nd prize of £250 and Booth for Better Service providing a 15” LCD TV as a cracking 3rd prize. So, for those with books, don’t hold on to them, just sell them. For those with no books, contact Pete Thomson. Every ticket sold is pure profit and remembering that there is nothing more soul destroying to the organisers of this valued fund raiser, than that of seeing unsold books being returned on the day of the event. Sunday 16th December at the Christmas Party is the day of the draw. We have a target of £5000 from last years total to top. Before you disregard this statement, consider this for an instant. The cost of a Bus for the U18s to go to Caithness on a Sunday in October was £500. If you think our membership covers these kinds of costs, you are mistaken. We need to raise funds for the whole club. Your Club. We could not now go about our business without our Sponsors and our thanks go out to them again:
For Match Sponsorship packages: George Myles of Stable Services, Bruce Jepp and Keith Gaskin from Smith Bits, Les Sinclair from Weatherford, Graham Dallas from UWG, Robin Porter from Westerton and Derek Weatherly of Oil States.
For continued junior shirt sponsorship from Weatherford who also sponsored a marquee for us.
To McIntosh Donald for continued Annual Dinner sponsorship
To Gary Cox of Edwards and the Northern Hotel for special assistance throughout the season
To Mitchell’s Dairy for continued sponsorship of the Garioch Sevens.
Web Site.
Looking good, and a huge thanks to Ewan Lyle of Clik Development for the web design and patience with the not so ‘puter literate. The new website features a vast array of useful information including sections for all the various teams and age groups, match fixtures, events, image galleries and news.
The website is powered by a custom built admin system that features full CMS control and supports different access levels for modifications to it, meaning that it can be updated remotely through the internet from anywhere, as long as the user has the password for his particular section
Club Maintenance
Those of you use the changing rooms will have noticed the much needed redecoration in these facilities. The plan is for the painter to continue into the clubhouse when he has completed the changing areas. Please endeavour to keep these areas as tidy as possible. Although the club has a cleaner now, these areas should be swept out after training and matches by those who use them. It only remains for me to thank our sponsors and members for the support you all give to the club. I look forward to seeing you pitch side. Whether it be Seniors or Micros, Minis or U18. S1/S2 or U16. Sponsors or Supporters, there is a place for you all at Garioch.
Big or Small, we need you all.
Regards
David Thom
President
Garioch Rugby Football Club
