Hi all

I hope you all had a great Christmas & New Year and are raring to go for the rest of the season!

I have a few important messages:

1. The coaching team would like to start midweek training. Please would you let me have your feedback & preferences for days asap so that we can start to organise the sessions

Most of the squads that we play against already train during the week (and if we’re to keep up with them, we need to do the same). The structure of these sessions will be different to the Sunday training sessions and will involve playing games primarily. Next season, we’ll probably only have 1 Sunday training session a month, with cup & friendly matches taking up the rest of the sessions so the midweek sessions will be very valuable. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday are the possible training days with sessions running from around 6.30-7 to 8/9 pm

2. Booking is available at Rookley Country Park for the Vectis Tournament 29/04/2012 (Thanks to Sarah Mckenzie for the heads up!)

We plan to take all players who want to attend the tournament again this season. This policy has proved both popular & very successful in past seasons. This is the last Isle of Wight weekend for our squad so it would be great to get a good number staying for the weekend. We’ve stayed at Rookley for the last 3 seasons and the boys always have a great time.

Our booking ref is: 67399. Mention this when you book! As we are a group booking - we will have FREE LINEN & FREE ELECTRICITY

I’d like to get T-shirts (& maybe hoodies) printed this season & I’ve found a great company with prices starting at around £7-8 for a printed good quality T shirt.
If anyone would like to have an input or has any other ideas for the weekend please let me know. A small group of us could then meet to share & plan ideas.

3. The coaching structure for next season

David Bugler (the current U16’s head coach) is hopefully going to join us next season. This is subject to final confirmation in April, when the club will formally announce the new coaching structure. David is a very experienced RFU level 2 coach and will be a valuable addition to our fantastic coaching team. He’s already been through the U13 to U16 age group with his current squad and is a veteran of many tours with the squad.

4. Kitchen & Bar duty

A very big thank you to all who gave up their time to do catering duties in October & December. The December duty in particular was very busy- a big call out to Sarah Goudie, Carol Lipscombe, Bill Fife, David Becker, Jane Price and Johnny Rath. It would be great to see some different faces volunteering for the next 2 duties on 25th March & 22nd April. It is a condition of adult club membership that parents help out at at least 1 kitchen session and 1 bar session per season. The club relies on volunteers to run effectively. Please let me know if you can help, so that the few who’ve already given so much of their time can have a rest...

5. Emergency First Aid course

There will be an emergency first aid course run in conjunction with Alton Cricket club at the cricket club clubhouse from 18.30 to 21.30 on Wednesday18th January. There may be a spare slot for a parent helper who wishes to become a qualified squad first aider. Please let me know if you’re interested.

Here’s to a great rest of season. Training at Anstey Park this Sunday- see you there!

Kind regards,

Wendy