President: A.P Deacon
Management Committee:-
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Chief Executive & Treasurer |
D.F. Hamilton |
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Hon. Secretary |
W. D. Stewart |
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Chairman of Rugby |
A. Kerr |
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Senior Rugby |
J.B. Shotton |
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Property |
A.C. Curtis/A. Neal |
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Communications |
I. Lewis |
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Mini-Juniors |
J. Ritchie |
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Volunteer Co-ordinating |
J.K. Laidler |
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of the members of the club will be held in the clubhouse at Tynedale Park, Corbridge, at 7.30pm. on Thursday 14 August 2008.
1. Apologies for absence
2. Confirmation of the minutes of the AGM held on Thursday 28 June 2007.
3. To receive the Annual Report
4. To receive the Hon. Treasurer's report and approve the Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2008
5. To amend Rule 4.2.2 which limits the borrowing powers of the club to £75,000, to allow the club to increase the club's borrowings to £100,000. This increase could be needed to fund facility developments at the club.
6. To approve changes in annual subscriptions as follows:-
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Current Rate (inc VAT) |
Proposed Rate (inc VAT) |
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Full Member |
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Social Member |
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Under 21 |
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Ladies |
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Youth Parents |
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Retired Player |
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7. Election of:
8. Appointment of Chartered Accountants as Independent Examiners.
9. Any other business of which due notice has been given, sent to me as Hon Secretary, as prescribed in Rule 8.5.
10. To hear any other relevant matter for the consideration of the new Management Committee (Rule 8.1.12)
This has been a momentous and memorable season for so many reasons. Many of our players have achieved national and county honours; junior section player numbers have swelled to record levels; the senior sides all enjoyed huge success - with five teams, the Colts, Veterans, Grasshoppers, Raiders and the 1st XV all reaching their respective Northumberland county cup finals, and three proving victorious, whilst off the field the building extensions were completed and successes everywhere were suitably celebrated at the two final 1st XV home matches. (v Preston Grasshoppers 12 April and v Fylde 19 April 2008). Bill Beaumont presented medals to the first-team squad and cups to Phil Belgian as captain of the 1st XV and Simon Allan for the Raiders, at that final match.
Whilst the Raiders had a wonderful unbeaten season, it was the 1st XV whose efforts overshadowed all others. To succeed in topping National Div. 2 (North) with only one defeat was a staggering effort, but it was the style of those wins which gave so much pleasure to Tynedale supporters throughout the season. A very talented squad, well coached by Tom Borthwick and Ian Peel, with an excellent support group headed by John Shotton, Peter Simpson and the medical squad, proved a formidable team. The first team also won through to the fourth round of the EDF National Trophy, losing to Manchester from National 2 but only after a tense struggle, in extra time. The team also won the Northumberland Cup with ease - beating Morpeth 40-9 in the final.
The only event which blighted a wonderful year in Tynedale's history - and it took place only two days after last year's Annual General Meeting - was the car accident on 30 June 2007 which killed Andrew Robson, - recently a first team squad member. I will reflect upon Andrew's sad death in the 'Obituaries' section later in this report.
The new extension and alterations to the clubhouse building during the year have provided a disabled ramp and disabled toilet facilities to enable the club to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, and new changing-rooms to provide additional space for young football and rugby players. In addition to the changing facilities the development also included two referees' rooms, toilets and showers, and a small meeting room. Corbridge United Junior Football Club have been granted a 25-year lease on the new extension and on the pitches which they have rented for some years.
The committee held 12 meetings during the year, with a 79.6% attendance record (2006/07 - 72%). Some sub-committees were revived towards the end of the season to organise the celebration arrangements and the open day for Corbridge residents on 19th April 2008 and to plan for the 1st XV's season in National League Div. 2.
|
A.P. Deacon (President) |
9 |
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D.F. Hamilton (Chief Executive) |
12 |
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W.D. Stewart (Hon. Secretary) |
12 |
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A. Kerr (Chairman of Rugby) |
11 |
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A.C. Curtis/A. Neal (Property) |
6 |
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I Lewis (Marketting &Communications ) |
9 |
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J. Ritchie (Junior Rugby) |
5 |
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J.B. Shotton (Senior Rugby) |
11 |
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J.K. Laidler (Volunteer Co-ordinating) |
11 |
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Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
For |
Against |
Scored/Conceded |
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1stXV |
33 |
30 |
1 |
2 |
945 |
349 |
2.7 |
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Raiders |
26 |
26 |
0 |
0 |
1112 |
181 |
6.1 |
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Grasshoppers |
18 |
15 |
0 |
3 |
585 |
158 |
3.7 |
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Veterans |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
174 |
58 |
3.0 |
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Colts |
27 |
12 |
0 |
15 |
359 |
538 |
0.7 |
Players leaving the previous season's first-team squad included Cameron Johnston (wing) to Blaydon, who was unfortunately severely injured in the Blaydon v Redruth match 27 October 2007, but recovered from spinal injuries which were not as serious as at first feared. Rupert Neville (scrum-half) moved to London, Ben McNeil(Back) was transferred by the Army, Paul Scott (lock) returned to Morpeth after two years with Tynedale, and Graeme Smith (lock) whose work moved him to London also left. Adam Newns (centre) was also transferred by the Army, but returned mid-season to make four appearances for the 1st XV and five for the Raiders.
New players to the squad were Andrew Ions (prop), Ritchie Pender (flanker), James Rastall (wing), Barnie Maddison (lock) and Graeme Dunn (back-row) who moved up from the club's junior sides, and Jamie Harrison (centre), Jake White (centre) and Johnny Williams returned to make themselves available more regularly.
From outside the club came Grant Beasley (flanker), David Grattan (back-row), Greg Irvin (No.8), Tom Lavelle (hooker), Rob Miller (fly-half), Rob McDermott (back), Stuart Walker (lock) and Michael Young (scrum-half).
In all, 42 players appeared for the 1st XV during the season in the 26 league matches.
Comparison with the club's last promotion season is interesting:-
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Tynedale |
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Tynedale |
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Since 1987 Tynedale's overall league record from 1st September 1987 to 19th April 2008 is:
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Overall |
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Home |
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Away |
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Win ratio away - 47.4% Win and draw 50%
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 NORTH - 2007/2008.
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P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
LB |
TB |
DIFF |
PTS |
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TYNEDALE |
26 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
407 |
137 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
308 |
143 |
0 |
14 |
435 |
112 |
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DARLINGTON MOWDEN PK |
26 |
9 |
0 |
4 |
431 |
226 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
290 |
268 |
5 |
10 |
227 |
83 |
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FYLDE |
26 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
315 |
238 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
264 |
247 |
2 |
10 |
94 |
76 |
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LEICESTER LIONS |
26 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
378 |
207 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
280 |
259 |
6 |
9 |
192 |
73 |
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CALDY |
26 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
269 |
221 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
286 |
274 |
5 |
6 |
60 |
67 |
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HARROGATE |
26 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
281 |
171 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
185 |
257 |
7 |
7 |
38 |
66 |
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PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS |
26 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
240 |
286 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
223 |
303 |
4 |
3 |
-126 |
63 |
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HULL IONIANS |
26 |
9 |
0 |
4 |
239 |
209 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
202 |
331 |
7 |
3 |
-99 |
62 |
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RUGBY LIONS |
26 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
337 |
246 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
199 |
354 |
2 |
7 |
-64 |
61 |
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BRADFORD & BINGLEY |
26 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
278 |
284 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
273 |
309 |
8 |
8 |
-42 |
58 |
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MACCLESFIELD |
26 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
239 |
250 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
204 |
238 |
9 |
1 |
-45 |
50 |
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MORLEY |
26 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
246 |
211 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
200 |
352 |
5 |
3 |
-117 |
46 |
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WEST PARK ST HELENS |
26 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
256 |
301 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
204 |
367 |
7 |
4 |
-208 |
43 |
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BEVERLEY |
26 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
206 |
377 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
202 |
376 |
6 |
4 |
-345 |
30 |
BEVERLEY, WEST PARK ST HELENS and MORLEY relegated to North 1.
Adjusting the scoring to the system used before 2004 we can compare the seven post-Foot & Mouth seasons in National 3 (North). League League
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Season |
League |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Diff |
Pts |
Pos |
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2001-02 |
N3N |
26 |
14 |
0 |
12 |
530 |
528 |
2 |
28 |
5 |
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2002-03 |
N3N |
26 |
12 |
1 |
13 |
561 |
582 |
-21 |
25 |
7 |
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2003-04 |
N3N |
26 |
12 |
1 |
13 |
472 |
406 |
66 |
25 |
7 |
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2004-05 |
N3N |
26 |
13 |
1 |
12 |
512 |
598 |
-86 |
27 |
5 |
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2005-06 |
N3N |
26 |
16 |
1 |
9 |
650 |
430 |
220 |
33 |
4 |
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2006-07 |
N3N |
26 |
21 |
1 |
4 |
805 |
367 |
438 |
43 |
2 |
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2007-08 |
N3N |
26 |
24 |
1 |
1 |
715 |
280 |
435 |
49 |
1 |
The 1st XV's success was achieved despite some serious injuries which kept key players out of contention for long periods. The most serious were to JAMIE MURRAY (anterior cruciate ligaments operation 28 December), GREG IRVIN (dislocated kneecap), and ALI GRAY (medial ligament damage) which kept them out for the season. Other players suffering severe injuries were WILLIAM MASSEY (hernia and groin problems), ROSS SAMSON (dislocated fibula), and STUART JOHNSON (shoulder injury).
Once again, innumerable rugby, social and fund-raising events have taken place, including:-
We are once again indebted to all those individuals and businesses who generously supported the club during the past season. In particular we are grateful to our main sponsor once again:-
ANDREW KEITH ROBSON. Andrew died on 30 June 2007, aged 29 years. He had stopped playing for Tynedale in 2005, after five years with the club, including the 1999/2000 promotion season, and had rejoined his local club, Border Park. Before that, he had been a great favourite with Tynedale's players and supporters for his wholehearted displays for Tynedale and the Northumberland County team. The huge crowds which packed the Bellingham church and the streets outside at his funeral were testament to Andrew's popularity as a man and a rugby player. A week before his death he had agreed to be coach at the Keilder club for the season. Ed Holmes of Trees Please planted a Turkish oak at Tynedale Park as a memorial.
WILLIAM DAVID WALKER died 12 June 2007 aged 70 years. A supporter of the club for many years and a willing helper at club events. Sorely missed by all his Tynedale friends.
ALFRED BYWELL SPARK died on 26 June 2007 aged 62. 'Fred' attended all the 1st XV home matches, even when he was terminally ill. Aided by his great friend, Philip Clayton-Hibbott, Fred latterly watched matches from the clubhouse and derived enormous pleasure from the team's performance. How he would have enjoyed this last season.
GARY PORTER died 1 October 2007 aged 48 years. Gary ran boot-fairs at Tynedale Park for many years, but sadly died in France as a result of a paragliding accident. His close friend, Peter Louth, who continues to run car-boot sales at the club, made a moving eulogy at Gary's funeral.
After the season end, new match floodlights have been erected on the Dyvel's training pitch. These will enable matches to be played mid-week to encourage junior competitions.
We hope to re-surface the road in front of the clubhouse, to improve access to the Colts hut, and upgrade the path to the first team pitch.
Training started - 10 July 2008.
Proposed pre-season matches are:-
For the first time in a number of years overall membership increased slightly. This, coupled with the 18 new members recruited for next season, is encouraging, and will, we hope, be a trend which continues.
Current membership numbers are as follows:-
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Season 2007/08 |
Season 2006/07 |
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Life |
7 |
8 |
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Full |
109 |
102 |
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Social |
38 |
32 |
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Lady |
45 |
42 |
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Youth Parent |
323 |
312 |
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Patron/Pensioners |
9 |
9 |
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TOTAL |
531 |
505 |
During the past season two membership drives were mounted. Non-members at the Past Players' Lunch and spectators at the Open Day on the last match of the season were targeted. Articles were published in the match programmes on those days and membership application forms were enclosed, and there are now 18 individuals who would not be members of Tynedale RFC if these exercises had not taken place.
The Management Committee agreed during the year that a new category of member would be introduced and there is now a Retired Player membership.
At the start of season 2008/2009 there will be an attempt to persuade Social and Youth-Parent members of the club to become Full members. At present Full members of Tynedale RFC have few benefits which are not enjoyed by other members of the club. Reduced season ticket fees, access to International tickets and reduced fees for members hiring the clubhouse for functions will now become available to Full members of the club. Victoria Scarisbrick and Chris Davidson are working hard to produce a comprehensive list of restaurants, shops and other firms who will give discounts to Full members of Tynedale RFC. This package, we think, will be very attractive.
Payment of membership subscriptions is currently made in a number of ways. One favoured method is payment by Standing Order and, although this mode is more effective than annual payments by cheque or cash, it is not an efficient way to collect revenue. We hope that by the start of next season members should be able to pay by Direct Deb it and this will be of great help in the smooth running of the club.
Entrance charges at Tynedale have remained unchanged for many years. Because of the increased costs of supporting a team in National League Division Two next season, it hs been decided that admission charges to League matches will need to be increased from £5 to £8.
The charges for home league matches for season 2008/09 will therefore be:-
These tickets give admission to the ground and stand for all league and friendly matches played by Tynedale 1st XV (but not for cup matches).
Cheques payable to "Tynedale RFC Ltd." Should be sent to John Drew at Sallynoggin, 45 Apperley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7PQ.
N.B. Season ticket holders of Tynedale RFC can gain half-price admission to home matches at Blaydon Rugby club under a reciprocal arrangement we have with the Swalwell club.
DOUGLAS HAMILTON.
How a team reacts to defeat in any sport is a real yardstick to their future. This was certainly the case after the disappointment of losing the play-off at the end of Season 2006/07.
The challenge throughout pre-season for all the club was "do we make progress or do we make excuses!" The response from all the squad was really positive and the determination throughout was to look forward and take individual and team performances to a higher level. Everyone accepted that there was a need to develop a mentality that was stronger and more professional, particularly in the area of pre-match preparation.
The squad was strengthened with quality rather than quantity, in areas that needed more competition. The early part of the season particularly tested that quality and depth with a catalogue of injuries and in particular two long-term injuries to influential players in the back row. As the season progressed thirty-seven players started league games and five more just played as replacements.
Consistency in performance on a weekly basis was now seeing the squad performing near to their potential and improved mental approach throughout the squad, especially in away games, certainly contributed to the positive results. The one and only league defeat at Rugby Lions showed everyone that once this focus was not at the required level performance dropped. At the time the defeat and performance was very disappointing. However, on reflection, it was one of the turning points of the season. It produced a renewed determination and greater resolve to ensure that performance and mental levels did not lapse in future games.
The foundation of our results throughout the season was the defence, and great credit to the full squad for the way they applied themselves in this crucial area. To finish with the best defensive record in the National Leagues, only conceding 31 tries in 26 matches, is testimony to their efforts.
The squad has evolved well over the last 3/4 years, and everyone has bought into team and club ethos. We are now starting to see the potential of which they are capable, and let's hope they can continue to develop for the challenges ahead next season.
Apart from the success of the 1st XV, the Raiders (2nd XV) remained unbeaten all season and also retained the Candy League, the North East 2nd Team League, and Northumberland County Cups. The Grasshoppers (3rd XV) won the North East 3rd Team League and reached the County Cup 3rd Team final.
The EDF National Trophy resulted in defeat for the first team in the third round to Manchester at home, after extra time. One of the great advantages of the Cup was the opportunity that the extra replacements gave to enable squad fringe players experience at first-team level. The tremendous success over this past season was achieved through firstly the efforts of all the players, but also the invaluable work put in by all the 'back-up' staff.
Firstly, the club, in my opinion, have in Tom Borthwick a coach second to none, whose sheer commitment, dedication and professionalism has certainly 'rubbed off' on all the players throughout the club in general, and Tom was ably backed up by Assistant Coach Ian Peel. Also a huge vote of thanks for First Team Manager Peter Simpson, whose huge amount of work not only on match days but also the rest of the week goes unnoticed because of his quiet, self-effacing manner.
Special thanks also on match days to Dr. Rachel Scurfield for her professionalism and caring manner, and the invaluable work by the Physios Catherine Cotterill, Graeme Stevenson and Sarah Robson on training days and match days which is very much appreciated by all the players.
Special thanks are also due to 1st XV main sponsors, James Little at Troynorth and David Belgian at Northern Counties Insurance for their continued support.
Raiders, in their unbeaten season, scored 1112 points (174 tries and averaged 40 points per game). Also, to show the depth of talent at the club, they used 66 players in the season. At various times they had seven sets of brothers playing for them. Could that be a record nationally?
But once again - none of that would have been achieved without the 'back-up staff' - Raiders Manager/Coach Mike Fieldhouse and his assistants. Special thanks go to Rock Solid for their sponsorship and also to UBS Wealth Management for their continued support of the Candy League.
Grasshoppers won the County League for 3rd teams and reached the County Cup final, as did the Veterans team, and the Colts also won the County Cup.
I must finally, on behalf of all Tynedale players, give a special word of thanks to Edward Robson and Tony Curtis for all their hard work in looking after the grounds and changing facilities and ensuring that our teams play under the best possible conditions.
The successful Northumberland Senior County team which beat Cornwall at Twickenham in the National Trophy was mainly composed of Tynedale players. The team was coached by Tom Borthwick assisted by Jamie Murray.
Tynedale players who represented the County this season were:-
Ex-Tynedale players, Paul Mooney, James Ponton, Graeme Smith and Paul Winter were also involved in the County's highly successful season.
Rob Miller represented England and Ross Samson played for Scotland. Ross (scrum-half) played in all 5 National Championship matches, including the Scotland v England match at Falkirk when Rob played for England.
Rob (fly-half/full-back) was included in the England U20 squad v France, Scotland and Ireland. He was also selected for the Barbarians v Edinburgh Academicals in their 150th year commemorative match at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 April 2008, (when Ross Samson was on the bench).
Players Teams Several of the teams undertook tours during the season:
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U12s |
Hamilton, Scotland |
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U13s |
Gloucester |
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U14s |
North Wales |
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U15s |
Ireland |
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U16s |
Holland |
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Colts |
Ireland |
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Players |
Teams |
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U7s |
45 |
6 |
|
U8s |
23 |
3 |
|
U9s |
37 |
4 |
|
U10s |
24 |
2 |
|
U11s |
27 |
2 |
|
U12s |
39 |
3 |
|
U13s |
39 |
3 |
|
U14s |
33 |
2 |
|
U15s |
39 |
2 |
|
U16s |
25 |
1 |
|
Colts |
39 |
2 |
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Girls |
17 |
1 |
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TOTAL |
387 |
31 |
The U9, U10, U11, U12, U13 and Girls also shared ball boy/girl duties at 1st XV matches during the season.
Thanks to go the representatives and of course to the team managers who organised and supervised the youngsters in these important tasks.
I am pleased to report that this season has been one of progress for the club in terms of developing the off-pitch commercial activities. This has been possible in no small part as a result of the efforts of Keith Laidler, who has done a fantastic job in enlisting the services of increasing numbers of volunteers who have proved invaluable and have resolved the problem of not having a dedicated Sales & Marketing Officer.
With the expert help of Claire Saunders we now have a very professional club sponsorship brochure (pdf copy available on the website). Combined with a new menu of sponsorship offerings, this now provides the newly-formed Sponsorship Team (Scrap Douglas, Tony Smith, Tim Tatman, Neil Foster and others) with a very attractive offering for corporates and individuals across the region. Following a potential sponsors lunch at the Fylde match the early signs have been positive, with a number of new sponsors already committed to significant support for up to three years. The sponsorship team will continue to approach potential sponsors throughout the summer in order to provide an improved financial platform for the club to operate in National League 2. Any members who know of potential sponsors please contact one of the team. A list of club sponsors is available on the club website www.tynedalerfc.co.uk
The events team of Andy Deacon and myself have explored a number of options relating to additional large-scale events, but as yet have been unable to identify any that would fit our requirements. Ideally, we are looking for promoters who want to hire the grounds and clubhouse but who will provide all the operational and marketing support, much like the County Show. As a club we do not possess the human or financial resources to stage our own large-scale events. Andy and I are working to develop promoter contacts to whom we can sell the Tynedale Park offering. In the meantime the headline events that are of significant value to the club
We did, however, host a number of smaller scale events aimed at promoting the club, such as:-
Mike Coulson and Keith Laidler have put a huge amount of effort into enhancing the membership offering for next season, which should result in an increased membership base. Membership benefits will include partner discounts (e.g. Tynedale Leisure 30% discount, Rock Solid 10% discount) as well as reduced season ticket prices for first team games. They are being helped by Victoria Scarisbrick and Chris Davison to develop the partner discount offering. Other developments will include moving to direct debit payments and the introduction of membership credit-card style membership cards.
Thanks to Keith Laidler's volunteer recruitment drive, Steve Braysher has taken over the task of promoting the club both internally and externally and has made an immediate impact. Steve has established links with many contacts in the media both locally, regionally and nationally. As a result of Steve's contacts the club has received significant coverage in the national press and was featured on more than one occasion on both local BBC and ITV programmes. Steve is also liaising with Wallace Cousin to ensure that all relevant information is posted on the website as well as with Douglas Hamilton for match programmes and newsletters.
Tynedale Rugby Club is a very well managed organisation which is often quoted as an exemplar when rugby is discussed by the rugby fraternity in the North East or in rugby clubs further afield. Unfortunately, this façade masks some serious problems and for some years the Management Committee have been making efforts to address a number of issues. The club is efficiently controlled by a handful of dedicated and very hardworking members, but at times the work-loads of some of these administrators are almost intolerable.
A large number of people living in the Tynedale area get great enjoyment from watching and following Tynedale Rugby Club but most probably don't realise some of the difficulties involved in the day-to-day management of the club. An organisation like Tynedale RFC has a large number of individuals of differing ages and backgrounds who have much to offer; most members have some ability or skills which could be used by the club. The Management Committee therefore decided to try to increase the number of members prepared to work for the club, and at the start of season 2007-2008 a Volunteer Co-ordinator was appointed. In September 2007 an exercise was mounted to attempt to determine the number of members who would volunteer to work for Tynedale Rugby Club and the capacities in which they would be prepared to serve.
The initial request for volunteers was made in the Tynedale newsletter which was sent out to members in August 2007. Another article with similar content was published in the match programme of 17 November 2007, and the exercise was promulgated on the club's website at the same time. It has long been thought that the parents of the Youth Section members of the club could provide drive, ideas, energy and a wide range of skills useful to the main club. In November 2007 an e-mail containing the volunteer questionnaire was sent out to most Youth Parent members by the officers running the Youth Section.
The questionnaires which were issued requested answers to a range of questions. Members were asked if they were prepared to chair or serve on small working groups and if they would become involved in fund-raising and sponsorship activities. Most of these small committees would be involved in activities which would try to ensure that the club was financially secure. Involvement in the Club's Christmas Draw, the Schools Tournament and other special events was also requested. Requests were made for Duty Officer or Gatemen on match days and individuals were asked if they would be prepared to carry out ground maintenance or improvement work under supervision. Succession planning is an issue that the club must, once more, try to address and members were asked if they would assist some of the main office-holders.
The results of this exercise have been disappointing but not surprising. In the season fifteen members agreed to get involved for the first time and all have become integrated into the management of the club in some way or other. A number of long-standing members, who in the past have given the club great service, again agreed to become involved in some important role or other. I am very grateful to these individuals and the Management Committee acknowledges the important contribution they are now making to the well-being of Tynedale Rugby Club.
Of particular concern was the effort to raise volunteers from the Youth Parent membership. For over 20 years I have been told that there were a large number of parents of Mini-Junior rugby players who have the drive, energy, ideas and skills to make a significant contribution to the well-being of Tynedale RFC and who were keen to become involved. Two very hard-working members of the main club's Management Committee are also currently involved in the Youth Section but it was very disappointing that only one individual out of perhaps four hundred parents was prepared to come forward this year to help to manage the club.
It will be of particular interest to Tynedale members to know the number of volunteers needed to run Tynedale Rugby Club. In any particular year there are 116 essential duties to be carried out if the club is to function efficiently. Some of the main offices are particularly onerous and the work is almost on a day-to-day basis, but other duties, for example, that of Schools Tournament Team Steward or match day Duty Officer are one-off roles. At Tynedale a number of individuals carry out a range of duties and one or two members have five or six jobs in the club. Tynedale RFC runs a total of 35 teams starting with the Under 7s and running up through the rest of the Youth Section sides (Minis, Juniors and Colts) and Girls' teams to the Senior XVs and the Vets and all of these sides need coaches and team managers.
This year's volunteer recruitment exercise has had a limited success but we do now have fifteen individuals working for the club who were not involved at this time last year. It was particularly gratifying to see two young ladies volunteering to help and both are now making important contributions to the essential task of increasing revenue. No doubt the club's efforts to increase the number of members helping in the management of Tynedale RFC will continue in the next year or so and I have some optimism that, when other people see that it is not too painful or onerous to assist at Tynedale Park, more members will come forward to help.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from: J. Suddes, J. Robinson, W. Cousin, R. MacFarlane, M. Davison, G. Sinclair and Mrs. F. Saunders. .
The minutes of the Annual Meetings held on 27 July 2006 and 8 February 2007 were both confirmed as follows:-
Part I Proposed: E. Robson Seconded: I. Lewis
Part II Proposed: E. Robson Seconded: I. Lewis
D. Hamilton presented his report, as Chief Executive, and the reports of the sub-committee Chairmen. He answered questions raised by the members. John Clark suggested that an open General Meeting could be held to discuss fund-raising by members. I. Lewis agreed to consider this matter.
The Annual Reports were adopted on the proposal by A. Kerr, seconded by J. Saunders.
D. Hamilton presented his report on the Club finances and highlighted the loss made by the Bar. He then proceeded to detail the floodlighting of the Dyvel's pitch and informed members of the Clubhouse expansions and the funding of both projects. After answering several queries the Treasurer was thanked by J. Clark and the report was accepted on the proposal by J. Clark, seconded by A. Smith. The Chairman praised the Chief Executive for his dual role.
The Office holders and Management Committee of the Club were elected as per the recommendation of the retiring Committee. Proposed by A. Curtis, seconded by J. Saunders.
Proposed by D. Hamilton, seconded by K. Laidler.
There was no other business of which notice had been given, sent to the Hon. Secretary as prescribed in Rule 8.5.
There were no other relevant matters for the consideration of the new Management Committee under Rule 8.1.12.
The Chairman then thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.35pm..
President A.P. Deacon
Vice-Presidents P. Davison M. Fieldhouse
R. Parker J.B. Shotton
S. Dunn P. Telfer
Chief Executive & Hon. Treasurer D.F. Hamilton
Hon. Secretary W.D. Stewart
Chairman of Rugby A. Kerr
Chairman of Property A.C. Curtis/A.Neal
Marketing and Fund-raising I. Lewis
Volunteer Coordinating J.K. Laidler
Junior Section J. Ritchie
Chairman of Senior Rugby J.B. Shotton
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Fixtures Secretary J.C. Johnston
Teams Secretary I. Dodds
Membership Secretary J.M.D. Coulson
Chairman of Selectors W.E. Cousin
County Representative A.P. Deacon
Chairman of Colts J.M. Clark
Chairman of Youth Rugby M. Watchorn
First XV Coach T. Borthwick
Assistant Coach I. Peel
Conditioning Coach K. Barclay
1st XV Manager P. Simpson
Club Captain Phil Belgian
1st XV Captain J. Murray
1st XV Vice Captain A. Murray
Raiders Captain S. Allan
Raiders Team Captain C. Irving
Raiders Coach M. Fieldhouse
Grasshoppers Captain B. Horncastle
Grasshoppers Manager/Coach A. Neal
District Coaching Co-ordinator A.P. Deacon
Community Sports Coach P. Telfer
Gate Chairman J. Drew
Welfare Officer N. Oliver
Schools Competition A. Kerr
Colts Coaches S. Dunn, G. Sinclair
Match Doctor Dr. R. Scurfield
Club Physiotherapists C. Cotterill, G. Stephenson
Groundsman R. Harden
Archivist J. Saunders
Communications Coordinator S. Braysher