I am very proud to have been elected by the Executive Committee as Chairman of Ripon Rugby Club. Our fantastic Club lies at the heart of our community and our family friendly culture is an integral part of it.

We live in difficult times and sadly COVID-19 has had a big impact on all our lives. It has also affected our Club. Firstly with the sad passing of our friend and colleague Jonathan Rutter. Jonathan was Treasurer for many years and will be missed. With the season ending early and the Club locked down, we also endured some financial consequences.

It is really important to emphasise to you that our absolute priority in returning to rugby, is the health, safety and welfare of all our players and members. We have reopened the Club during the past few weeks but only with a very well designed COVID compliant system. The adults have returned to training, following the strict but necessary RFU guidelines.

We know that the lockdown has affected our children and young people and so I am delighted to announce the return to Age Grade Rugby from 6th September 2020. James Severn, the Age Grade Chairman has set up a team to manage registration and the start of the new season. Under the watchful eye of our health and safety specialist, Matt Clark, the return will be safe and I am sure an exciting time for the kids to enjoy some normality.

It would be wrong of me to avoid the thorny issue of subscriptions and the increase for this season. We thought long and hard about this issue and reluctantly came to the decision to put subs up by £10. The increase is required to cover the efficient running of the Club. We are also making a significant investment of over £40,000 in a full refurbishment of our showers that have been problematic in one way or another, for many years. We have spent over £7,000 during the summer on improving our pitches. We will continue to invest wisely on developing the Club for the benefit of all members.

It is essential that now more than ever we pull together and take our great Club forward. Your support in helping in any way you can is appreciated. Our members range from 6 years old to nearly 90 and we have to be here for all of them.

Yours in the fellowship of rugby,

Adam

Adam Briggs
Chairman
Ripon Rugby Club