Dear Players, Members, Vice Presidents and Supporters of Newbold on Avon RFC,
First of all we hope you are staying healthy, safe and in good spirits through these unusual times.
We wanted to keep you informed of what has been happening at your club through the last few months and our plans for the future.
Obviously, after guidance from the Government and the RFU we took the decision to close the club on Monday 16th of March. Since then our involvement in the club has obviously not stopped. As your Committee we are not only responsible for the clubs security, but also for its future. Bearing this in mind and with guidance from the Government, as well as observing social distancing guidelines, we have continued to maintain and support the club. The grounds have been managed and the business side of the club has continued, bills still need to be paid and contracts managed. We have utilised all the available support the Government, Local Council and RFU has to offer as well as negotiated with our suppliers to manage payments and defer contracts.
No-one can predict the future, however we can make assumptions and must make plans for all eventualities. The very nature of our club, (Contact Rugby and Hospitality) means that the effects from this virus may have the greatest impact on our operations for the longest time. We have therefore put into motion a strategic plan to secure the future of our club.
We hope to be back up and running on and off the pitch by August 2020 and have plans in place should this be possible. However, we must also plan for the start of the season to be delayed or even postponed indefinitely. In addition, our commercial facilities operations may not return to pre-Covid status for many months to come, if not a full year. Therefore we are exploring various opportunities available to us so that we may maintain our business as well as provide you with the facilities you deserve. Please bear with us while we work through these ever changing times.
It goes without saying we have been and will continue to follow the guidelines laid out by the Government and as these change we will adapt. Many Club social events, (including the tour) have been cancelled or postponed. Our AGM planned for early July may be postponed, if so the plan at this time is to hold it a minimum of 21 days after the full ‘lockdown’ guidance has been lifted, this will allow for nominations to be made and voting practices to be formalised depending on whether a meeting can take place in person. Further information will be sent out as we know more. Your understanding and support is always of great value to us.
Finally, we would also like to thank and congratulate Stuart Houghton and Richard McCullough for their leadership and ingenuity in running the recent fundraising campaign for our NHS Charities. It makes us immensely proud that Newbold on Avon RFC has lead such a fantastic and worthwhile venture. Well-done to everyone who supported the fundraising and sacrificed their hair, although we do recognise that neither Stu of Ricky actually had much hair to begin with.
Remember, please abide by the Governments Guidelines, Stay Safe, Protect Our NHS, Stay Home
Thankyou and take care of each other
Newbold on Avon RFC Committee
