As we come to the end of the 2022/23 season, I wanted to share a few, very important updates with you which I hope I can count on your full support to allow us to achieve some positive outcomes.

As you will be aware, when you tour the rugby clubs of Essex and beyond, it becomes pretty apparent that we have got one of the very best clubhouses. That is, unless you are disabled or struggle with stairs. A key focus as we try and move our club into the future, is the concept of ‘Access for All.’ With this in mind, the Society of Old Brentwoods have commenced on the next stage of the clubs evolution by a commitment to improve access to the club to ensure that everyone, irrespective of mobility, can access the first floor. Unfortunately, its not as simple as just putting in a lift. In order to do this we will have to move and modernise all three toilets. The total cost of the project will be £60,000 and as a major club with the Society Family, its important that we do our bit. A crowdfunding page has been set (https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/oldbrentwoodsclub-accessforall) and if we achieve over a 100 contributors we will have the potential for some match funding. I appreciate times are tough but please dig in and contribute whatever you are able to, to allow this to happen. Once we get this built, we can start to look at the ground floor and the improvements to the changing rooms as we will be able to attract more revenue which will be reinvested back into our club. PC is organising a Race Night on the 12th May which we would ask you to support with all proceeds going towards this appeal. He will be in touch soon with how you can get involved.

As the 2022/23 Executive Committee of OBRFC our mantra from the start has been to ‘remember the past, to celebrate the present and to plan for the future.’ I hope you’ll agree that its been a really positive season on and off the field and we have so much to be excited about for season 2023/24 with plans that include more ground improvements, a bar and toilets by the 1st XV pitch, a club shop and the continuation of support for resources that grow our club numbers by way of recruitment.

In order to achieve this, a OBRFC Summer Ball as been booked at the De Rougemont Manor for Saturday 1st July with the aim to raise £10,000 for direct infrastructure projects to make our rugby club even better. We’ve made the ticket price very reasonable at just £50 which will include a reception drink, 3 course meal with wine and some great musical entertainment. Every age group will be offered at least one table before the start of general sale on the 1st May. We only have a maximum of 150 tickets, and they will sell out, but by giving this advance window, we aim to get the adults of every age group represented at what I promise will be a brilliant night. Watch out for what to do next from your team coach/team admin over the next few days.

On a final note of success, I’d like to congratulate our 1st XV Head Coach Matt Staines, our Club Captain, Stuart Smyth and our 1st XV squad, for their amazing victory in the Essex Counties League 2 Shield. The team, at the time of writing, remain unbeaten in the second half of the league and winning all 5 games, including a closely contested 27-14 victory over Harwich and Dovercourt RFC in the final. It was wonderful to see such big crowds watch our boys as it was seeing so many of our former Colts Players, representing our 1st Team on route, and in the final. Match reports and photos from their matches can be found on the 1st Team section of the website.

Lots of you have told me that you think the ‘good times’ are back at OBRFC but its now up to all of us to do our bit to ensure that we build on this positive momentum to drive our club to greater successes. Please do your part.

Regards,

Rob Jupp
President
Old Brentwoods RFC.