Suffice it to say – it has been a bit of a year for us all, and we have all been affected by covid-19, with illness, isolation, testing, lockdowns, phased re-opening, different forms of training, types of rugby we didn’t play, drinking inside, drinking outside, table-service, text-message drink ordering, handwashing, masks on, masks off, 2m gap, 1m gap, no gap, matches on, training off, matches off. It has, at times, been difficult to keep up all of the messages and requirements.

And yet, on the other hand, we have seen a big increase in participation in our mini and junior sections. The minis have grown hugely in numbers – there has been some excellent recruitment and I would like to acknowledge the work undertaken by Tommy Marsh in recruiting players of all ages, including a number of players into the senior squad. Thank you Tommy. We now have an U13 squad of 17 boys – almost impossible to imagine only six months ago when we had four players, and our U15s, after a lot of learning, have won two matches in the last month, and the hard work by players and coaches has been rewarded. Well done everyone involved. Thank you for all you have done, and here’s to a bright future. Our senior XV has enjoyed an up and down season. On occasions the team has had more than twenty players unavailable, and has had to call off some matches, although we have played a number with some excellent performances. Some of our ‘old guard’ have retired but eight players have joined us or restarted playing, and that gives us great confidence for the future. Thanks to all players, at whichever level, who have represented the club this season so far, to the best of their ability.

Our volunteers continue to be the backbone of our club. From working with our five-year olds to keeping our building in good repair, our range of volunteers is unlikely to be rivalled in many clubs. Matches, kit washing, setting pitches up, serving food and drinks, organising events such as the Halloween and Christmas parties, our fireworks event, VP lunches, the drag evening, our naked calendar, and many, many other similar fund-raising activities. The grounds team have kept our environment in fantastic condition, from work on the hedges and ditches, to keeping our pitches in such a great condition that we are still playing and training on the top pitch in December- unheard of in my time at the club! I thank them all for their continued efforts on the club’s behalf and everybody’s behalf.

Our associate members’ groups continue to prosper. Bedworth netball continues to use our facilities and they always have requests for new players. The Keresley Colliery Bowling section has agreed to become a fully integrated section of the club and we welcome them. Nuneaton Lacrosse Club have become excellent members of the club, training every Wednesday, brining players from around the Midlands to Keresley, supporting club events, and drinking plenty! We look forward to further developing our working relationship with all in the future.

This time of year also makes us think about the people we have lost during the year. Malcolm Jackson’s passing had an effect on all who knew and loved him. We had a fantastic celebration of his life at the club and many members, past and present spent time with Malcom’s family and friends. The downstairs bar, now named The Malcolm Jackson Room, gives everyone the chance to reflect on Malcolm and his family for his time and work at the club. Most people have had loss of some sort to deal with, and the uncertainties we still face present us with more challenges to our health and prosperity as we move into 2022.

The club finds itself in a strong position, even at the end of a most difficult year. Financially we survived lockdowns, mainly due, it must be said, to the excellent work of our secretary, Gareth Whitehead, who managed to secure every possible grant we could have, plus securing a significant number of sponsorship deals in what were very difficult times for many businesses. The extensive work in the clubhouse and bars has freshened our environment and we have plans to continue with this work next summer. The potential land sale gives us optimism for the future but we also have much to consider too, as we look to ensure the future viability of our great club. Our management team have plenty to think about, as we move into the next twelve months.

As we approach this time of the year, I wish all club members, players, volunteers, management group, executive, sponsors and supporters an excellent Christmas and New Year. The club won’t be quiet for long, even if more lockdowns/closures are imposed upon us. Before we know it we will be training, playing, having fun, meeting friends, eating and drinking, putting the world to rights, and enjoying the company of others who also enjoy the greatest sport on the planet.

Paul Harrison
Chairman
December 2021