On 22nd August 2010 a group of cyclists from the Club took part in an 80 mile ride around the New Forest. It is called the Rattler because of all the cattle grids it goes over. This is part of the lads training to get ready for the Cycle Challenge around Southern Ireland in Aid of cancer and heart charities and the Tony O'Connell Founders Fund which is raising funds for future facilities for the Club. Please follow this link http://www.cyclosport.org/article.aspx?id=1574
it will take you to a good article all about The Rattler. Just Google Challenge Adventure Charities The Irish Challenge to find out what we are up to at the end of September. If one of the Cyclists asks for sponsorship please give generously.

Our team of Alex Tattersall, Chris, Chris Spain, Chris Leaton, Dave Sims, James Potter, Badger and Adrian Tully took the reigning champions, The Churchill Arms, all the way on Saturday.
We beat them in the round robin and as result finished top of the group. The semi final saw us overcome The Ship. In the final our opponents experience and "nous" saw them retain their crown. Thanks to our captain Dave Timms and to Tim Donell with a special guest appearance.

Facilities Contract Opportunity
Are you a responsible person who would enjoy being part of our friendly club?
Would you like to supplement your income and have fun doing it?
We run three senior sides, four junior teams and a mini section. We are a friendly, family orientated and progressive club where new players, volunteer helpers and members of any age and ability are very welcome. We recently were awarded the RFU whole club Seal of Approval.
We require a Facilities Manager to undertake duties during the rugby season September to April inclusive:
Full role details are available and duties will include:
 Open clubhouse every Sunday during the season
 Set up ready for that morning’s rugby session
 Duties do include some light lifting
 Liaise with others to assess food resources needed for the following week
 Purchase food weekly to meet this
 Close clubhouse at the end of the Sunday session
 Deliver any funds and paperwork to Treasurer.

Contract value September – April £76.00 per week (approx 8 hours per week).
The successful candidate will need to invoice the club on a self employed basis, provide references and a CRB check will be undertaken
If you would like more information please contact: Brian Pugh, Volunteer Coordinator via email: brianskitchens001@googlemail.com

Dear Vice President,

The Tony O’Connell memorial match takes place a week on Sunday with the match kicking off at 2.30 p.m. As was detailed in my previous update we hope to raise over £5,000 on the day towards the fund and we need the support of everyone to make sure that we achieve that target. The bar is open from 1.00 p.m. – it is a family occasion so please come along and help us to make the day a great success. Drop me a reply if you are coming so we can judge numbers.

The work to create the second pitch is on course to commence in August – it is the biggest commitment in expenditure the club has ever made, but it is what the future is about if we are going to maintain the success that we have achieved over the last few years.

We have been awarded a very smart set of new posts by the RFU and they will be used for the memorial match – who will get the first points through the new posts?

Attached is the advert for the Facilities Manager’s position that is shortly to be advertised. If it appeals to you and you want to know more about it then please contact Brian Pugh.

This Saturday is the Fordingbridge Festival and we have a team entered in the tug of war so please support them if you are on the Rec. this Saturday.

Work is currently taking place to replace the fascia to the clubhouse and this will be virtually complete by this weekend and will certainly be finished for the memorial match.

A big thank you to VP Roy Smith for coming up with an economic solution to the problem which will certainly give the building a much better visual appearance from outside.

The fixture booklets will be out in August but just to whet your appetite the 1st XV entertain Ellingham & Ringwood on 18th September and it will be a VP lunch so get the date in your diary.

The social committee have been busy in the last month and they have set out a fund raising function every month throughout the season and details of these will be set out in the fixture booklet.

The last event we held was the Race night in June which was a great success raising over £1,000 towards but we could have done with more of you at the event on the Saturday night so please try to attend one or two of the functions next season if you can.

If you do want to make a donation please send it to Tony Stone. Treasurer Fordingbridge RFC, Nat West Bank, 27 Market Place, Romsey SO51 8ZH payable to “Tony O’Connell Founders Fund”.


John Marsh - Vice President’s Co-ordinator.

The following advert will be seen in a number of local publications over the next few weeks. Please encourage any potential new recruits to come along.

Looking for a progressive club with a friendly,
family based culture and ethos?
We are actively looking for players who would like to play in a challenging and enjoyable environment.
Senior pre season training commences
on Thursday 8th July 7pm
For further information contact
07775 903700 or 07590 920795.

Please follow this link to spend some time looking through the Fordingbridge Rugby Club Codes of Conduct. Not exciting but necessary. Just cut and paste into your browser. http://www.johnmouland.com/Tackler.html

”One Club Your Club”

Minutes of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 8th June 2010

Attendees: 35 (see appendix 1)
Meeting opened 19.38.

1. Apologies: Steve Godden, Adam Dennett, Dee Stone, Andrew Godden, Tim Donell,
John Marsh.

2. Minutes of the last meeting
Chairman opened the meeting stating that last year’s minutes had not been circulated as only a hand written copy was available, which he showed to those present. He asked the floor to accept that all actions which had been discussed had been completed and asked for acceptance. He also advised the meeting that Russell Bird had stepped down as Secretary during the past year and that John Davies had taken over this post in January 2010.

3. Chairman’s report:
I am standing down as Chairman of Fordingbridge Rugby Club. I am very proud of what we have achieved during my tenure. To imagine we would be playing such a high standard of Rugby with a squad containing so many players that have played with us their whole career is a source of great enjoyment and pride. Coupled with the fact that 46 different players turned out for the First XV this season shows our true strength and depth, enabling us to end up 4th in our first season in South West Three. The 2nd’s have had a hard year. Dave Timm’s helped the first team gain their position and made the decision to play with the 2’s after Christmas because of his total commitment to the Club. We must ensure that the 2’s have the management behind them next season. The Juniors, again, have 5 players representing Hampshire, Chris Gogin and Paddy Gogin at Under 15 and William Timms, Lewis Dennett and Ben Kirby at Under 14. Various teams had great wins in the Mini’s and Junior’s rounded off by the Under 14’s winning their league, again led by Dave Timms, without a loss. This shows the consistency of coaching throughout the Club.
I have thanked everyone individually but the hard work that has gone into obtaining the RFU Whole Club Seal of Approval has been amazing. There are a lot of companies that would kill for the expertise we are able to draw on. We are one of only three clubs in Hampshire and 30 in the Country that has achieved this high level of Club Stewardship.
I would like to carry on helping to organise the Club in some role. Perhaps as a member of one of the many sub-committees we require to run this fantastically successful Club.



4. Treasurers Report see appendix 2.

Treasurer’s report was circulated to all present
Treasurer opened by stating that it was good to see some ladies present at the AGM.

Questions from:
Keith Walsh – Asked what Entertainment costs included?
Tony Stone advised that the costs did include some meals and drinks
Keith Walsh – Thought Subscriptions would cover costs of Physio and Travel?
Tony Stone – Yes it does but advised that money would still be coming in from Subscriptions throughout the year through the monthly direct debits
Chas Kimber – Questioned clothing costs of £3368.85, asked what was included?
Dan Brown answered that it was not just clothing, it included Balls, Water bottles etc
Chas Kimber – Questioned Sundries amount.
Tony Stone will revert back to Chas Kimber with an answer.

5. Code of Conduct

John Mouland addressed the meeting and explained the reasons for the Code of Conduct.
Copies of Code were circulated to all present. He advised that it will be put onto the club website and a concise version shown in the handbook.
He stated that the committee recommended acceptance by the members.
Proposed: Keith Walsh. Seconded: John Trim
Carried Unanimously

6. Club Constitution

Copies of the draft of the Club Constitution were circulated to all present.
Ian Brown addressed the meeting and advised that as part of obtaining the Seal of Approval the club had had to update the Constitution. The document circulated had a couple of minor changes to the wording which he announced. The new constitution will be available on the Club website. The constitution had also been drawn up in readiness for the club becoming a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and incorporating the club to limit member’s liabilities. He asked for acceptance of the document.
Proposed: John Trim. Seconded: Tony Stone
Carried Unanimously



7. Election of Officers

It was decided that as John Mouland was standing down as Chairman the Election of his replacement should take place before that of President so that the new Chairperson could take over the meeting.
Chairperson: It was proposed by the committee that Ian Brown be elected as Chairperson which was unanimously agreed by the meeting.
Ian Brown took over meeting.
President: Ian Brown proposed that John Mouland be elected into the President’s position. This was seconded by Tony Stone and unanimously agreed by the meeting.
Dave Gogin proposed a vote of thanks to John Mouland for the work he had done as Chairman over the past years.
Vice Chairperson: Ian Brown advised that usually the election of officers was ‘done on block’ for those willing to stand again in their positions.
Steve Tooke advised he wished to stand for the Vice Chairperson’s position. He addressed the meeting briefly by stating that he wanted to stand as he would like to assist the committee in pushing the club forward.
This was proposed by Dave Gogin & seconded by James Potter.
Chris Langford, current Vice Chairperson, had expressed a willingness to stand again.
A secret ballot was held of the members present.
Result of the vote was:
Steve Tooke – 20 votes
Chris Langford - 12 votes
Spoilt Papers - 3
Steve Tooke was appointed as Vice Chairperson.

 Secretary: John Davies
 Treasurer: Tony Stone
 Fixtures Sec: John Trim
 Director of Rugby: John Holden
 Volunteer coordinator: Brian Pugh
 Coaching coordinator: Leigh Burrows
 Referee coordinator: Martin Norton
 Membership Sec: Martin Norton
 Junior/Midi Chairperson: Chas Kimber
 Press officer: Martin Norton
 Publicity officer: Rob Burrows
 Safeguarding officer: Teresa Kimber
 1st Team Captain: Dean Lewis. Vice Captain: Mat Norton
 2nd Team Captain: Mike Parry. Vice Captain: Luke Mowbray
 Blues Captain: Dave Gogin. Vice Captain: Adam Dennett


8. AOB.

Mike Parry asked if the second team were going to have a Manager.
John Holden advised that John Stockley had shown interest in taking this position. John Stockley will advise once his work commitments were known.
Mike Parry suggested asking Tim Donell to take on this role in the short term until John Stockley was ready to commit. Dave Gogin suggested that perhaps Tim Donell could be encouraged to remain in place for the season and he, and John Stockley, could split the second team coaching & management duties in a similar way to the split in the first team e.g. John Holden & Ian Brown. Action agreed: John Holden to keep in contact with John Stockley/Tim Donell

Leigh Burrows – stated, as the club now needs to concentrate on raising as much money as possible to enable it to progress with plans for expansion, we need to agree dates for all fundraising events in time to put them into the Fixture card for next season. Rob Burrows advised that the deadline for this is the end of July 2010. Leigh also agreed to organise a fundraising event in June 2011.

Sue Brown - questioned why the Social sec position had been missed off the list and advised that she had been told that Keith Walsh had resigned at the last committee meeting. Ian Brown confirmed and advised that the committee had decided to leave this position open for the new committee to discuss owing to the fact that the club now had to not only concentrate of social events for fun but also do some serious fundraising. This may involve a new social committee structure.
In view of the fundraising need, Ian Brown suggested that John Mouland take strategic leadership of a group of people to arrange fundraising events. John Mouland agreed and asked for volunteers from those members present at the meeting to help.
Clare Bell, Richard Gulliver, Janice Davies, Leigh Burrows and Mark Newton volunteered.
Ian Brown proposed a vote of thanks to Keith Walsh and Clare Bell for their previous hard work.

John Holden – Advised that he had been investigating Online Kit Supply and found a company called ‘Crouch and Hold’ who could supply most of the kit needed for Junior/Midis and would also give 10% of the gross cost back to the club. They would supply within 7 days. This would mean that the club would not have to hold so much kit in stock tying up valuable funds.
Leigh Burrows asked if coaches’ kit was also available, John Holden confirmed it was.
Keith Walsh enquired about the 13/14 & 15yr olds Kit. John Holden answered all were of different design and had different sponsors for each kit.

Action: John Holden to progress with this and report back to the management committee with recommendations.
The Senior kit will continue to be ordered from the current supplier. Dan Brown advised that the new senior shirts on order are cheaper than the shirts the team have already got.

Martin Norton – Has been asked to work with John Mouland to update the Club website to bring it up to date and make it more user friendly. Martin asked for ideas and suggestions from members of anything they wanted to see on the website.
Action: Suggestions/ideas from members needed within next 2 weeks.

Ian Brown thanked Dan Brown for the work he had done with the kit.
He also commended James Potter on the work he had done to help get the Seal of Approval and as a thank you presented James with a RFU tie.
Ian then presented John Mouland with his ‘Club President’ job description.

Ian thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 20.53.

The Chairman's Shield - 1st XV Top Try Scorer
Dan Brown & Dean Lewis - 8 tries each

2nd XV Top Try Scorer
Sam Hawker - 7 tries

The Simon Wareham Memorial Shield - Young Player
James Hammond

The Tony O'Connell Trophy - Most Improved Player
John Dossitt

Squadman
Chris Leaton

Coaches' Player
Steve Brown

The President's Shield - Outstanding Player
Mat Norton

2nd XV Player's Player
John Dossitt

1st XV Player's Player
Alex Tattersall

Clubman
James Greenwood

Fordingbridge Rugby Club have won major recognition from the Rugby Football Union with the award of a coveted Seal Of Approval, not just for minis and juniors but for the whole club. Fordingbridge are only the third club in Hampshire - the others being Andover and Trojans – and the 30th in England to be afforded such an accolade.
Ian Brown, the Fordingbridge team manager, who is masterminding a three-year Club Development Plan, says “The Seal of Approval shows we are equal to the high standards demanded by the RFU. It is an endorsement of all our best practices and shows that Fordingbridge RFC has an appeal to young and old alike. The benefits should be enormous”.
“For example the club will now be in a bona-fide position to apply to the RFU for help with funding and this will be of immense help as we seek to improve our playing facilities and develop the club as a whole” said Mr Brown. “We have great enthusiasm to move forward while still retaining the homely and friendly nature of the club”.
The links with the community have also been strengthened – a RFU requirement - with the appointment of a Club Volunteer Coordinator, Brian Pugh, who will be casting the net far and wide for volunteers . “There is an open invitation to anyone to take part in this exciting venture”, said Mr Pugh.
The late President Tony O’Connell had been involved in the inauguration of the Seal of Approval project, before his untimely death last February, and it is fitting that the award comes just a week after the “Tony O’Connell Founders Fund” was launched to develop investment in the club.

NB Donations for the Tony O’Connell Founders Fund should be sent marked “Private and Confidential” to Mr. Tony Stone, Treasurer, Fordingbridge RFC, c/o Nat-West Bank, 27 Market Place, Romsey, Hants, SO 51 8ZH

May 2010

Dear Club Member

I write to announce the setting up of “The Tony O’Connell Founders Fund”.

As you are aware if Tony had not taken the initiative with the late Brian Fuller we would not have the Club we have today. We have decided to use this opportunity to give extra impetus to the raising of funds for the development of the Rugby Club.

“The Tony O’Connell Founders Fund” will hold monies from various events and individuals and enable the club to develop the playing facilities, as well as the continued investment in our youth policy. We have some very exciting plans for the future which Tony would have been proud of, and everything will be under the control of our management committee.

This will be a fitting and lasting tribute to a great man.

Those wishing to contribute to the “Tony O'Connell Founders Fund” should send their donations marked "Private and Confidential" for the attention of Tony Stone, Treasurer, Fordingbridge RFC, Nat West Bank, 27 Market Place, Romsey, Hants SO51 8ZH.

John Mouland
Chairman Fordingbridge RFC

Dan will be selling kit and taking new orders before training at The Rec on Tuesday 12th Jan from 6pm to 6.45pm. If you need a new Club branded training top or similar then come along and see him there.

Dear All
A few older members of the Club fancy starting some Touch rugby training, to keep fit, under flood lights. Therefore from Wednesday 11th November 2009 at 7.00pm there will be Touch rugby at the rec. for about an hour. Please come along and tell your friends even if they are not members of the Club. There will be a small charge for non-members.

More honours for us. John Holden, who masterminded success this season in Division One, has been selected by the Hampshire RFU to play fly-half for the County Veterans XV in the Geoff Frith Memorial match against Alton Vets at Anstey Park, Alton this Sunday 10th May. Dave Timms, who led the 2's to the title in the Dorset & Wilts Division Three South, has been named among the replacements. Although there is a rumour he may well start. Joining our guys in the team will be two players from Ellingham & Ringwood, the captain and No6 Robbie Mitchell and the prop Darryl Langford.
The team is D.Langford (Ellingham & Ringwood),M.Vickers (Winchester), J.J.Barker (Romsey), N.Mucci (Eastleigh), M.Coleman (Farnborough), R.Mitchell (Ellingham & Ringwood), B.Prior (Alresford), R.Stratford (Winchester, capt); A.Cobb (Alresford), J.Holden (Fordingbridge); T.Wakeford (Farnborough), C.Barrett (Basingstoke), W.Hayward (Eastleigh), M.Dunning (Fareham Heathens), T.Pegler (Tottonians).
On the bench will be: D Timms (Fordingbridge),P.Green(Basingstoke),R.Botham(FarehamHeathens),D.Pritchard(Farnborough),M.Northover(Totton-ians), M.Marchant (Winchester), D.Sharpe (Romsey), G.James (Tottonians).
The match, at over-35 level, is being played to celebrate the life of Geoff Frith who was a hard working and loyal servant of Hampshire Rugby and the Alton club for many years. The profits from the match will be donated to the Parkinson’s Society. The game kicks off at 3pm.

Today marks the end of the Hampshire 1 / London 4 SW 08/09 season. We can now confirm the London 4 SW 09/10 league table will consist of the following teams:


Andover
Camberley
Ellingham and Ringwood
Fordingbridge
Gosport and Fareham
Kingston
Old Alleynians
Old Mid-Whitgiftian
Old Wellingtonians
Old Wimbledonians
Sandown and Shanklin