A Word From The Chairman

Chairmans Report 2010-2011

This Years View From The Chair

This year sees us hurtle towards the celebration of our 40th year as a Rugby Club. Our founding fathers would take some pride in seeing what they started back in 1970. All of whom would have their tale to tell and we may hear them regaled at our upcoming 40th dinner. So a little look at our recent history. Last year I felt we should ask ourselves, “Just how far can this club go?”
You may or may not have read the Clubs Four Year Development Plan, (it can be accessed on the Club website). Written in 2007 and designed to take us on a journey, part of this plan was to set our-selves the goal of promotion. In November 2007, we sat in mid table obscurity and that part of our plan appeared ambitious. By April 2009 we tasted the disappointment of losing the promotion play off after an epic season, but it was progress. Overlaying this, we had been concerned with our apparent drift towards Coventry and the south of the region via our league. After a powerful argument from the club we were streamed into the North West region, with more empathy to the North Midlands and Birmingham region. The goal remained the same, promotion. Thanks to the commitment of our players, our Coaches Bob and Dave, our Skippers Rich and Carl that ambition was finally achieved last season.
Another desire in our development was to really enhance the Youth Section, in so doing, develop sides capable of supplying a playing feed to the adult teams. In 2007 it seemed ambitious, but now we are blessed with some fine young talent from which we can see an increasingly younger profile in our senior sides, yes ambitious but ambition achieved.
Our development also looked to see a playing side from our Female Section. We cannot under estimate just how positive an influence our Female Section has on the overall outlook of the club. They started as a happy little band of all age groups with no fixtures. Early effort produced buckets of enthusiasm, but just training evenings. Happily through this enthusiasm, their numbers grew and this year we see Warley Women’s second season competing in a development league. Yet another ambition fulfilled. It gets better as Kayliegh, Amy and the girls start the construction of a Female youth section. It all seemed so ambitious but good luck to our ladies in another ambition on the verge of fulfilment.
Dare I mention that this season we have been able to select a 3rd XV for three weeks running!
Off the field, we look to the development of a 3G all weather playing/training surfaces and the redevelopment of our changing areas. Very adventurous and incredibly expensive, such that it can only be achieved by supported funding bids from the RFU and FA. In 2007 for us it was an aspirational part of the development plan. In 2009 the North Midlands RFU published their 4 year Facility Plan to begin in 2010. After relentless banging on the doors of our Rugby Development Officers, Warley are in it. We sit at priority 1, (1 being best out of 1 - 4) for the 3G and priority 2 for changing rooms. There are no dumper trucks circling the grounds yet but?
So a welcome to the new coaching team, Karl Blick and Carl McGrath. A big thank you to the outgoing team, Bob Brown and Dave Walsh. Welcome new club skipper Andy Hallbrook and thanks to outgoing Rich Harrison.
As we move forward, we look to those that now lead, remember those that have lead and never forget our absent friends. They are playing or have played, a worthy part in the development of our club and the fulfilment of its ambitions. So my friends, our 4-year plan is almost three quarters of the way through. Many of our goals have been achieved or are in touching distance. Many more we are still to achieve. We all have our part to play and if we all play our part, we can be confident in the answer when asking ourselves, “Just how far can this club go”?
Good Luck
Dick.

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2007/08

The Chairmans Report for the 2007/08 season can be downloaded by Clicking Here.

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