NEWSLETTER by Carl Redman (Chairman of Valley Fort RFC) 21st February 2008

Dear All,

It has been quite some time since my last newsletter – my apologies for this. Given that you are probably out of the habit of checking the newsletter on the website, I have decided to email this to you personally – there are a number of messages that are very important at this time of year.

Sevens

• We are now in receipt of the sevens tickets from the mini union, and we will try to distribute them this Sunday 24th February 08. If there are any problems or delays to this, we will let you know. The distribution will obviously be difficult to coordinate given the number of people, and we will give further details on this before Sunday.
  
  
• Please note that all sevens tickets have a serial number, and we have a master list of these numbers, and who receives the tickets. This is a mandatory requirement from the Union, and is meant to prevent fraud. I wish to emphasise that the tickets you receive must not be resold. This is an offence, and it will jeopardise the future allocation of the club. If you wish to return tickets, please do not hesitate to contact me, because there are many people on a “waiting list”
  
  
• The March Past for mini rugby has been confirmed as Sunday 30th March 2008
  Start Time: 14h11 (we will commence lining up in the tunnel at 13h45)
  Finish Time: We estimate to leave the pitch at 14h45
  The U5 team will not take part in the March Past.
  
  
• General scheduling for showcase games will be as follows:
  U6, U7, U8 will play on Friday afternoon
  U9, U10 and some U11s will play on Saturday morning
  U11 and U12 will play on Sunday morning
  Further details of timing will of course follow. What is important to note that the gates will not open earlier to allow the kids or parents in any earlier – so it is imperative that the kids are ready to play when they turn up at the stadium, and they must be on time. The schedule will not be adjusted if anyone is late – so watch out for the schedule and please take note. I have been promised the schedule will be released in the next couple of days.

• Team numbers have now been submitted. There will be a maximum of 3 reserves allowed for each team. This is important, as the number of medals will not exceed the team members + reserves. Team numbers are as follows:

• U12: 2
• U11: 2
• U10: 2
• U9: 5
• U8: 4
• U7: 4
• U6: 4

Succession Planning

The club exists only because of the hard work of the coaches and officials. The reality is that we need more people to work with existing officials to both share the burden, and also to take over at some point. All positions within the club need to be covered, and I would be extremely grateful for new volunteers and new coaches to come forward and help out in whatever way possible.

Awards

We are planning to hold the Awards ceremony on 2nd March 2008 at the Fort. I anticipate that this will be after training. Given that the U12s finish at 12 o’clock, I would suggest that the younger age groups either start later, or hang around until the bigger kids are finished. Let me know, as I will need to inform the Garrison.

This year, each age group will award a Player of the Season Award only. It should make the ceremony mercifully shorter.

Annual Party

The Annual Party will take place in Café Deco on Saturday 5th April 2008. We are still working on the theme (a subject that is causing much discussion!!) and we will let you know this, and all other details, shortly. But put the date in your diary – it is a fabulous night. We come out every Sunday morning with our kids, and this is the night where we can let our hair down and socialise. So get together, get your tables booked – I promise you that you will not be disappointed.

Richard Hawkes Cup

During the Football Club tournament on 9th March, the U12 team will play in the Richard Hawkes Cup (hopefully the final). It would be wonderful if the kids from other age groups could come and support the boys. This season has seen a great battle between Valley Fort and Football Club, and it is fair to say that the Football Club have the upper hand. With home advantage, they will be difficult to beat, but it would be wonderful to turn the stands into a sea of red and black! The final will be on at 16h00, so if you can make it, please do so.

Carl Redman
Chairman