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Chief Executive |
D.F. Hamilton |
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Deputy Chief Exec |
N. McPherson |
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Hon Secretary |
W.D. Stewart |
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Hon. Treasurer |
A. Briggs |
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Chairman of Rugby |
A. Kerr |
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Property |
A.C. Curtis |
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Communications |
A.P. Deacon |
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Fund-Raising |
M. Fieldhouse |
Nationally, this season has been dominated in England by the World Cup success and the relative decline in the Six Nations Championship, where France and Ireland prospered. Like most clubs we may have seen an increase in mini/junior rugby as a result of England's RWC success, but the competition had little effect at club level. Like most rugby clubs the game at Tynedale thrives at 7-16 age levels, but adult rugby is in danger of a steep decline in the numbers of adults playing the game.
Although our first three sides have had various success as is reported later in the report, we have struggles to put out a fourth selected side (the 3rd XV) regularly and the lack of adult players for this team has continued to tax us throughout the year.
The committee held regular meetings, which were well attended, and although business was conducted reasonably efficiently the process would be helped if sub-committee Chairmen always produced minutes of their meetings in time for them to be circularised by the Hon. Secretary with the agenda papers.
Playing and development sub-committees have met regularly, finance and property less often, disciplinary, fortunately, not at all this season. Fund-raising has been better organised with Mike Fieldhouse's involvement but communications has struggled, and the dissemination of club news has been provided by the club's website and the match programmes at 1st XV home matches. No newsletters have appeared - a situation we need to rectify next season.
Detailed reports on all aspects of the club's activities appear elsewhere in this report - from mini rugby through to the senior sides. From a management perspective all the club's teams are important - but the one which gets regional and national coverage is the 1st XV and I should just like to comment on that team in this section of my report.
The first fifteen's season was again disappointing. John Shotton highlights some of the factors in his Senior Rugby report, and I agree with his general view on the relative failures. If we look at the three post-Foot & Mouth seasons we can see that last season was almost identical to season 2002/2003:-
P
W
D
L
F
A
Diff
Pts
Pos
2001-02
26
14
0
12
530
528
2
28
5
2002-03
26
12
1
13
561
582
-21
25
7
2003-04
26
12
1
13
472
406
66
25
7
If we take into account the 0-0 result assumed for the Longton v Tynedale fixture which was not completed, the results are almost identical - with a superior points difference the only change.
One new RFU initiative introduced this season simplified the operation of League National Division 3 North. Clustering meant that it was known before the season started that three clubs would be relegated. In the event it was Preston, Liverpool and Longton. But who will be allocated to our league from the South next season? That will be interesting - and a test of the new cluster system.
When I say the season was disappointing that reflects the fact that, from 1997 we had seen continual improvement. However, as I reported last year, this is a very tough league. Longton, like Hull Ionians last year, came up and went straight back down. Prestigious clubs like Liverpool St. Helens and Preston Grasshoppers have not survived and have been relegated. We have withstood the absence of Dick Parker our influential prop through injury and of our international stars, Paul Boston, Jamie Murray and Ben Duncan for a good part of the season - so we should be too depressed. Some of the younger players have made good progress - Matt Bolam, Stuart Johnson, Jonathan Mock, Paul Mooney, Tom Wilkinson, Jonathan Williams and Nigel Watson, so we can look forward to some exciting competition for places next season.
Numerous rugby, social and fund-raising ventures were held, including:
Rugby events
Social events
The grounds were also used for outside events:-
At the Sports Council annual awards ceremony Richard parker was voted Sports Personality of the Year. Tynedale Rugby Club won the Club of the Year award.
Jack Harrison full back and WEHS captain who was selected for the England Schools U18 January squad.
John Drew and Tony Curtis were proposed as the club's nominations for Value the Volunteer awards by the County.
Steve Olivier on being NCA Coach of the Month for March 2004.
Mike Woodhouse (QEHS), Matthew Fieldhouse (QEHS), Hamish Smales, Phil Ludford (Dame Allan's), four young players linked to Tynedale Rugby club who were selected for North Schools U18 squads.
Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham (QEHS) won the Rugby World Team of the Month for December 2003.
The small clubhouse car-park was re-surfaced and marked with car-parking spaces.
Kitchen refurbishment took place with a new floor and new units.
New posts were purchased for the Raiders pitch. A new Tynedale RFC sign board at the entrance to the club grounds.
There are plans to install a new disabled ramp access on the eastern side of the clubhouse, providing a new entrance on that side of the building and providing space for a disabled toilet.
The club is proceeding with a project, funded by the RFU, to replace the training lights with match lights on the Dyvel's pitch.
Troynorth Ltd. We are especially grateful to our main club sponsor, Jim Little and his company, who have been as generous as ever in supporting rugby in the region.
Members who sponsored individual players. All players in the first team squad were sponsored; some twice.
We are grateful to Newcastle Breweries Ltd. for their support, encouragement and assistance in so many ways, and to Portnell, and the Northumberland County Show for their specific sponsorships of matches. Their support is always appreciated.
For their support of junior rugby in the club we must make special mention of Patterson Ford and Ashley Winter who have generously continued to sponsor mini/junior rugby at the club.
Storeys:ssp for their technical help and match sponsorship.
Northumberland Rugby Union for their Conditional Funding Schemes and capital grants which enable us to complete so many projects.
Philip Wright 13th September 2003. Died aged 24. Philip's bravery and enthusiasm for rugby when he played and trained at the club for two years during his illness will live in the memory of all who knew him.
Soa Otuvaka 29th March 2004. Soa came to play rugby in England in 1998 with the club, and was a delightful member of the 1999-2000 promotion winning team.
R.G. Roy Christer aged 78 years. Roy played in the famous 1948 Senior Cup-winning team and represented the club in the early 1950's.
Hector Rutherford 29th February 2004 at the age of 92. Hector came from Tynedale's most famous rugby family and with brothers Walter and Will represented the club during and after the Second World War.
I should like to conclude this report by thanking all the club's officers and the Chairmen of sub-committees and all who fill various roles within the club, all of whom have given me invaluable support during the season.
In particular I would like to thank John Shotton whose drive and attention to detail really makes things tick around the club and whose incredible energy is an inspiration. My job would be impossible without his efforts on the club's behalf.
It is invidious to pick out other individuals, but Wes Turnbull has always helped me, quietly, and at short notice. Edward Robson is another to whom I am grateful for advice and for taking over the sale of drapery on match days so successfully. John Austin has rationalised the 100 Club and Bill Stewart has been an efficient Secretary, reminding me about matters I have forgotten or overlooked.
Finally, like John Shotton, I should like to thank Steve Olivier for his skills as a coach, enthusiasm and commitment over the last three seasons. Steve Bates' help has also been invaluable at various times throughout the season, and we are grateful for the support he gave Steve Olivier, during this last season in particular.
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DOUGLAS HAMILTON.