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Dear All,It doesn’t seem so long ago that the season has ended, and yet we need to start thinking about the next season. It is important to keep the communication lines between the club and members going, in order that we can prepare ourselves for the 2008/09 season, especially before the school break. The main themes of the Chairman’s newsletter this month are: Club Volunteers and Bledisloe Cup. Club VolunteersIt is no exaggeration to say that the Club just will not exist without the many volunteers that give their time and efforts. Unfortunately (for many reasons – people turnover in Hong Kong, and the sheer growth of the Club being the primary reasons), there are just not enough people involved in running the club as there needs to be. Moreover, I believe that to have more people involved brings a greater “Club Spirit” which we need to foster. So I am appealing to you to volunteer to help out in some capacity, in order to help us to maintain the growth and success of YOUR Club. To keep this momentum, we need new energy and new ideas. It is not actually much fun for people like me to go around and “urge” people to take up roles, so I prefer that people contact me (or another Club Official) to discuss how you can help. We are all much too busy for this extra work – so that is a common state for everyone! Just as important is to ensure Succession Planning. Given the lifestyle that we all have in Hong Kong, we need to have adequate cover in all key positions. I have discussed the situation with Club Officials, and we think it is perhaps more attractive to individuals to split the current roles into smaller, more manageable, roles. Within 2008, we need urgently to find:
If we split things down to this level, then we can really share the workload and therefore the time required to perform the role will be no more than a couple of hours per week. If you can help – and I would again urge you to do so, please call me on 62930667 or email me on carlredman@netvigator.com. I’d be happy to discuss the roles in detail. Thanks a lot. Bledisloe CupAlso known at the 7th and 8th Place World Cup Playoff. We have submitted our application to the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union for the tickets that members have applied for through Valley Fort Rugby Football Club. At the time of writing, there are no guarantees that all of the applications given (by all clubs) are approved (there has been an overwhelming demand apparently – especially on Gold Tickets). So either Kim or I will need to contact those of you who have made applications at a later date, once we have the details from the Union. Other NewsThe Club is hopefully sending four U18 players to New Zealand in October 2008 to participate in the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ). This investment in our elite talent is on a trial basis, and if successful, I hope to repeat this initiative every year. As well as the IRANZ, I met with Club Officials to see how we could develop the extensive talent that we have in all our Colts Teams. There are some ideas – such as teambuilding, outward bounds courses, training from teams touring Hong Kong etc) that we have discussed. Hopefully we can fit these things into a packed calendar. We plan to continue the successful participation in the Singapore Tour – this will be the third year that we have done so. Further information will come to you once the season has begun. As well as the Singapore Tour, we may also have opportunities to attend other tours. There has been much discussion between Clubs in the Asia region about having a more structured calendar; ensuring tournaments do not “clash” thus enabling maximum participation. I am working with Valley RFC on the kit design for season 2008/09. Hopefully the kids will like the new design (it will be reversible – with more striking contrast hopefully than last year’s kit). There has been renewed interest in the formation of Girls Colts team in Valley Fort – and I am delighted about that. If there are any people (players or potential coaches/managers) who are interested in this, then please let me know. We are getting great support from Valley RFC on this subject, and there are a core of players, and also enthusiastic volunteers to help to coach and manage. So this seems like it may develop. I have asked Elisabetta, who many of you met at the Annual Party, to consider “refreshing” the Club website. Without a doubt, we have the best site in Hong Kong (and beyond), so I am eager to keep moving forward on this. The website remains the primary communication tool between the Club/Members/Union. The provisional dates for the commencement of the season (for Minis and Colts) will be 31st August 2008, with kit distribution the week after Sunday 7th September 2008 at the Fort. All dates are subject to approval of pitch applications. Please refer to the website for the most updated information. Similarly, the registration details will be updated on the website shortly – please check regularly to ensure that you get the kids registered in good time, Finally, I want to give belated recognition to all those kids who have represented Hong Kong at various (including full senior) levels. You are the pride of Valley Fort, and a shining example of how our Club can nurture talent. Congratulations to you all, I will ensure that Valley Fort continually supports your talents and ambitions. I will be honouring those guys in the appropriate way once we get the new season underway May I finish by wishing you all a wonderful Summer. Take care of yourselves, and I look forward to welcoming you to Valley Fort in August 2008. If you have friends who are interested in joining the premier Youth Rugby Club in Hong Kong, then tell them to bring along their kids. We are particularly delighted when we get new members! Very best wishes Carl Redman
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