Chairman's Message

Chairman's Newsletter September 2008

Welcome to the Chairman's Newsletter for the start of the season.

Playing

Today saw all three men's teams back into action in friendlies ahead of the league games starting next weekend. Credit must go to our Club Captain, James Eason, and his coaching and managers' teams, for getting the players out in numbers so early in September.

That said, there are still a good number of players we have yet to see this season and who are not yet replying to the weekly emails from the Selection Committee. Would all potential players please make sure the reply to the "Are You Available?" emails as it is a great help to managers, even if your answer is a definite "no" for the coming weekend (it saves them calling you up to ask!).

Earlier today the First XV had another excellent win, this time against Bishops Stortford, with Dan Lawrence and Ben Smith running in

5 tries between them. The game finished 43-26 in our favour. The Llamas also ran out winners, beating Old Street 30 - 12. The 3rd XV went down 55 to 22 against Thames, but the match was most notable for the full debuts in the adult side of 3 Millwall Lions. Well done to everyone who played this week - make yourself available for next week and hopefully we can bring home 3 wins in the leagues!

I know James would like to see another 4th XV fixture this season, which will be organised as soon as we have enough players declaring their availability. While we obviously like players to train whenever they can, as a club we would like to see you playing the game even if you can't get along to training sessions. Obviously, attendance at a certain percentage of sessions is needed for the 1st XV squad, but you will find a place in a team even if you are unable (or just plain too lazy) to train. We also welcome along friends etc. even if they are just visiting you (for example) - Millwall Rugby Club is about everyone playing the game. We will always try to fit someone in (much easier if we know before the Selection Committee meeting on Wednesday evenings!).

Training

All training sessions now take place on the Lower Paddock at Mudchute Farm, where we have floodlights (except the main Youth Section Sunday morning training and the DSSC touch rugby session, which remain on Millwall Park). We are always working to improve our facilities on the paddock and we have an application to extend the portacabin already lodged with the farm.

Clubhouse

Most club members will not be aware that the building work to finish our clubhouse starts in earnest this coming week. A local building firm, J.C. Webb, has been contracted to complete the drainage, construction and other parts that we cannot do ourselves. We have funds for this in the form of a loan via the RFU - however, we must be aware that the more of it we spend the deeper in debt the club will be afterwards, so we must try to do as much as we can ourselves. I have had club members approaching me offering to help install our air conditioning and to build us the bar and a proper staircase to upstairs. These offers and more are needed - the build process should be largely completed by the end of October so make sure you get your offers of help (or donations) in now. If in doubt what we need, just ask me or any of the following - James Eason, Victor Okpevba, Matt Shorrock or Rick Jacobs). Anyone who has offered before please get in touch again as I may have forgotten with so much going on!

Whilst the large arch may be 'out of bounds' for some short periods during the building work, we hope to continue using our clubhouse throughout, especially at weekends before and after games (and youth games/sessions on Sundays).

Therefore, we now have to get ourselves organised for jobs that were never needed before. I'm asking now for people willing to help out with cooking the after-match meals needed to feed all teams playing at home and their oppositions. I would like to form a team of at least 6 volunteers who, between them, would be able to take it in turns and cover most weeks. This is not just a call for WAGS, or mothers of the Lions - players with injuries stopping them playing or ex-players should look to get involved. I'm hoping people will try to out do each other (in a nice way) - what would you give the players for an after match meal?

James and the men's team managers are also looking for people willing to prepare and serve simple 'breakfast' food at the pre-match meets on Saturdays. Just tea, coffee, bacon sandwiches - that sort of thing. Tea, cakes and pizzas would be the order of the day on Sundays after the Lions training.

The income from providing food and non-alcoholic drinks will be a huge boost to club funds at this crucial time (as well as helping retain players within the club) but we need volunteers to put it all into action. To make it easier, earlier today we took delivery of a brand new dishwasher or the kitchen, so washing up afterwards will not be required!!!

The club is subscribing to the full Sky (including Sky Sports) package and we hope to be showing any and all rugby games before too long.

As with everything else, volunteers please let me know via volunteer@millwallrugby.com

Membership

I would like everyone connected with the club to become a member this year. Its required for players but we have a large base of non-players who I am asking to formalise their support by becoming social members.

Its only £15 for the year but it will provide you to access to all the clubhouse facilities, including the "members only" bar. This season's Membership cards will be 'swipe cards' operating the electronic door locks being installed shortly at the clubhouse - they'll be needed every time to get in, so make sure you have yours!

Membership details are available here, or, for our Youth Section, here.

The club has been allocated its highest ever number of tickets for this year's Autumn Internationals at Twickenham. I understand we have 19 tickets to each of the 3 "big" games. Details of our raffle will be circulated soon by the Secretary, but remember - Volunteer Hours can be exchanged for raffle tickets so make sure any volunteering you do gets recorded. New players/friends should complete the info questionnaire here.

Only members can apply for raffle tickets, so make sure yours is paid now!

Kit

The order for the adults' "Players' Pack" has been sent in and in 4 to 6 weeks we should be seeing many of our players fully kitted out in the club's Gilbert merchandise. If you missed out, individual items are still available via the club shop http://www.millwallrugby.com/shop/adult-clothing.shtml

If you plan on playing this season, please make sure you do so in club shorts and socks. These are available via the club shop or contact Dave Leftley on treasurer@millwallrugy.com.

There are many, many excellent things going on at MRFC at the moment and I'd be delighted to list them all so that those doing the work get the credit they deserve. If you would like to add text to the next newsletter please be my guest - work out exactly what news you want circulated and then email the text to chairman@millwallrugby.com requesting it goes in the next newsletter.

Chairman 2008/2009

I have enjoyed my reprise in the role of Chairman and I hope club members have been happy with the direction I have given since June.

However, I still think that the job requires someone who lives locally and can be 'available' for face-to-face meetings at fairly short notice. The club now needs to find someone willing to take on the role full time, preferably for more than just this season. We have an excellent committee fully "up and running", working together and many of the big decisions have already been made, so it should be easier for someone new to step in now. I can promise that at least the past 3 chairmen will give the new chair as much help and support as is required.

I have my work cut out overseeing the remaining building work needed at the Clubhouse - I hope that you will continue to use the arches as much as possible and will be happy with the results. Please feel free to get involved with the work as it progresses, or at least take a look in to see how its all going. If you or your company can make a donation, please do so now. Personal donors should consider GiftAiding to increase the amount we receive by 28%. Just ask for details.

I plan to be playing next Saturday, and I hope we'll have beer at the Clubhouse afterwards. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible then.

Thanks for your time reading this far.

Mike Costin
Chairman
Millwall RFC