So firstly the play-off result. When we came back into this league some 6 years ago it took us two or three years to stabilise and then we started our assault 3 years ago. The first year started slowly but we recovered to finish 6th. We learnt a lesson that too big an influx of new players does not necessarily bring the right results so we then determined that a moderate intake of new blood would be the order of the day and to work hard with the retained squad. This nearly paid off last season but we just missed out. Albeit the day on Saturday was a great occasion we did not target 2nd and a play-off. It would have been much better for our nerves had we finished 1st. A very strong Cinderford who lost only once all season, to us, denied us that chance however and now we are through it we can start planning for September. My thanks and admiration to the squad and their management. I have not worked with a more determined and nice bunch of guys in all of my time at Chinnor. They and Matt thoroughly deserve all of the plaudits they are receiving. That applies also to Ricky, Mark, Steve and Lauren.
So what does that mean in respect of life in National 1?
Whilst there are no infrastructure requirements we would like to improve the offering to spectators and we are looking at some grandstand provision subject to funding. One of my bug bears is the location of the scoreboard which presently has a limited view point so we will look to relocate that to the far right corner in an elevated position.

In respect of other club improvements we are carrying out a feasibility study on a new gym where the barn is and that would release the existing gym for additional changing which could be a dedicated ladies changing room should that become a fixture in the future.

We are also looking at some floodlighting improvements to improve Pitch 1 standards and expand light on the mini’s area

At the end of last season we carried out quite a lot of expensive maintenance works to the pitches and that will continue.
In respect of the squad our experience tells us that you need to be 20% better to survive comfortably at the next level albeit there is quite often a first season bounce factor when sides haven’t got used to you, so we will selectively recruit and that process has started.
Inevitably costs will rise and we will need to increase revenue . This we will do by maximising match day revenue, increased support, hopefully from our existing and new sponsors , individual player sponsorship and fine tuning our fundraising events.
This season we introduced a new event which is a business orientated lunch with headline speakers. This was very successful along with the ever green Picnic ball, beer festival and Sportsman’s Dinner. We are as ever grateful for the volunteers who organise these.

This season we appointed our first ever General Manager. The first appointee didn’t quite find the rarefied atmosphere of a members Rugby Club to his taste- to what extent 1000 travellers in his second week on the Thame Showground played a part we do not know but Greg Heath stepped into his shoes and has found his feet. Greg has successfully introduced a great deal of revenue from outside the club and has now presided over the two biggest crowds we have had in our history. We are quite a sizeable business now and a manager is an essential role.

We are of course fully aware that we are a members club and we will continue to strive to ensure that the members have full and reasonably priced access to all that we have on offer. There may have to be some changes as we research entry prices etc at the new level but rest assured there will be good deals for members. For the last couple of seasons we have had the odd fancy lunch with most lunches at standard prices. This may be enhanced a little with some super Saturday’s planned. We will look closely at entry costs and season tickets and aim to give members some keen rates.

Another new initiative we are close to introducing, is our community involvement in schools. For the last two or three years we have occasionally sent senior players into local schools to offer coaching. This has been ad hoc and unpaid. We are shortly to sign an agreement with a specialist company that will appoint on our behalf a full time community rep that will coach in schools . We anticipate that this will be break even but we have it underwritten and sponsored. In the first year it is reckoned we should be providing some 80 hours a week of Coaching in schools with additional coaches brought in as required.The aim is to give something back to the community and broadcast the Chinnor Brand that we might get more spectators on a Saturday. The intent is not to poach young players from other Club’s and we will ensure that doesn’t happen.

On senior Amateur Rugby there are countless challenges that we face. 2nd team rugby at all clubs at our level is an issue and we are having forums to consider how we address this and the retention and recruitment of senior players at all levels. We have started to create a pathway back for students with our Christmas game. We are also grasping how to ensure as many young players as possible have a route through to an appropriate level of Rugby as they continue to leave the sport. Any ideas you may have do please pass them on.

Our mini’s and juniors still thrive but only because of the hard work that is put into it. We welcomed Grant onto the main Board this year and we know he is keen to maintain the momentum.

Another small change that was introduced this year was to the mandate of the Executive committee. Of late it had been mainly a reporting meeting but with a tweek to its participants it is now very much the driving force behind the day to day direction of the Rugby side of the Club. I have attended a couple of their meetings and it is great to see their engagement.

So lots has been done and of course a never ending list to do .
As ever your views are welcome and I would urge you all to attend the AGM on the 12th July.