It is a pleasure to write my first letter to you all as Chair of Holt Rugby Football Club. I must start by thanking the outgoing Chair, Martyn Jackson, who, under the most extraordinary circumstances, has led the club through the past two years with calm assuredness leaving big boots to fill and, importantly, the Club in very good order. Thank you Martyn.

The new Executive structure is settling in well and I can confirm that the Club is stable, secure and the governance strong. If you’d like to know any more about the new executive structure, or who to contact at the Club, please follow this link;

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/holtrugbyfootballclub/contact

As supporters of the Club we always look forward to the start of a new season with great excitement, eager anticipation and probably hope and trepidation in about equal measure. But above all I’m sure that we all have total confidence that the unique place that is HRFC will mean we will have another wonderful season enjoying our sport, some great camaraderie, re-acquainting ourselves with friends that we haven’t seen for many months and making plenty of new ones.

The mini and youth season commences on Sunday 5th September, 10.30am, and Nev will soon be contacting everyone regarding the re-start, procedures to re-enrol players and the payment of subscriptions. We all look forward to welcoming you all back to the Club on the 5th.

The senior club (both 1st XV and 2nd XV) have preseason friendly fixtures arranged, away at Wymondham rugby club, on Saturday 4th September, kick-offs 3pm. Please come and support the boys if you can, The game is followed by Wymondham’s beer festival, so you may like to extend your day and enjoy that event too?.

The season “proper“ commences with the first league fixture for the 1st XV at home to Wisbech, with the 2nd XV at home to UEA, on Saturday 18th September, kick-offs 3 pm.

As always with a 1st XV home game there will be a pre-match lunch, on this occasion sponsored by Mark Mitchell and his business, Mitchell Piling Limited. (More to do with construction than a tractor driver’s complaint). Wouldn’t it be wonderful to pack the clubhouse for the first time in a year and a half with great numbers enjoying the lunch and games afterwards? If you’d like to attend that lunch please contact Mike Bush, the luncheon organiser, on the following email, mike@bush.go-plus.net. He will only be too pleased to hear from you.

On the matter of lunches, all members, vice presidents and supporters are welcome (encouraged!!) to attend each and all lunches. They are tremendous fun and great value for money, so please don’t wait to be invited, consider this letter that invitation; but you must contact Mike Bush to book your place no later than the Thursday prior to each game.

On the playing side of the Club things look great. We anticipate tremendous numbers returning to mini and youth rugby and the adult teams welcome new players, returning players, existing players and Colts breaking into senior rugby, all of whom have “enjoyed” a good pre-season. With young and old all champing at the bit to get into some serious rugby after such an extraordinary delay, I’m sure we all look forward to supporting all our age groups and teams in all their endeavours and ambitions throughout the season. We have evolving exciting plans to invigorate a girls/women’s playing section this season, so watch this space.

May I also thank all players, members, vice presidents, parents and, vitally, sponsors at HRFC for the tremendous support you all offer the Club, it is deeply appreciated and long may it continue. There is a tremendous army of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of a significant operation and without them the Club would not be what it is. If you’re not part of that army yet, but have skills, energy or just time that you can offer then please come forward, you will always be welcomed. In any case there is a chance you may be asked to help out in some small way as the season progresses so please rise to the challenge if you are.

I look forward to seeing you as the season commences but if you would like to discuss any matters please never hesitate to talk to me at the Club or call me on 07768 642230

kind regards.

Rob Hughes