Most of you will know me, but for those that don’t. I am a long-standing member, volunteer, committee man, former Chair and currently the U14’s Head Coach. have played all the way through the club’s junior section, colts and for many years in the 1st, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and Vets. My voluntary roles include player registrations (Senior and M&J), M&J fixtures secretary and match day schedules, first aider, M&J treasurer and I help on the grounds and pitches……to name just a few.

We are about to start our 2024-2025 season, and I would like to say a sincere thank you to all our rugby family, you make me proud:
• Volunteers who help sustain our amazing clubhouse and pitches.
• Members who give us purpose, support financially and attend the AGM’s.
• Players, from the Minis, Juniors, or Senior sections, that enjoy the challenge of our amazing sport and uphold its core values.
• Coaches, referees and safeguarding who work tirelessly to improve both our players and the game that we love.
• Parents & Guardians who “taxi and support” the players both home and away.
• Supporters who regularly turn out to watch matches.
• Staff/Partners who keep us fed and watered and able to enjoy club events.
• Our sponsors and partners, your financial support is important to us.
• Finally, all those Officers and Committee (Senior and M&J) who have given their support, time, and energy during difficult and good times.

Last season was difficult both on and off the pitch, but we are always learning and will always strive to do better. More structure, consistency and focus on the club and rugby will help achieve this as we go into the new season.

Each season brings new challenges, it’s important to look forward to what you can expect from the Street in the 2024-2025 season. We are determined to focus on key areas:
• Budgets & Finances – we must improve our profitability and watch our spend, creating a future proof strategy for years to come.
• Increasing Volunteers and Membership across the board.
• Modernising our Constitution, Governance & Incorporation.
• Improving our Rugby competitiveness and participation across the board (including Touch), supporting enhanced coaching for all and creating a plan for the growth of girls and women’s rugby.
• Rugby Family – encouraging an inclusive culture that offers more for everyone to enjoy the Street environment. We want to welcome more of you back through the doors every week.
• Maintaining our great Pitches & Facilities – floodlight projects, improved drainage, and clean and comfortable changing room environment. The Women’s Toilets for example have been fixed and will be re-fitted.
• Sustainability – decreasing our energy consumption and utilising the solar panels etc.

In order to be successful, we need an approach that spans across the M&J’s and Seniors seamlessly. We are committed to this and remain accountable for its delivery.
We need to ensure that our game is as safe as possible. Parents should not be worried about their children playing our great sport.

To be an inclusive club, we need to welcome everyone from all different backgrounds and cultures, to enjoy our club and the game. We need to look at any barriers and behaviours that may be making it difficult for all to feel welcome and enjoy our club and rugby. This includes abuse of match officials, players, coaches, and other supporters, we have a zero-tolerance policy for poor behaviour especially in the Age Grade game.

There is focus on Parent behaviours, you also have a responsibility to uphold the core values of the game, coaches pick the teams not you. Don’t let your behaviour affect your child’s enjoyment. The club doesn’t have to accept players or parents that bring the club into disrepute, you will simply be asked to leave.

I have learned over the years that the club and rugby is like a family – people care deeply and are passionate, and that is an amazing asset. We don’t all agree and that’s fine, providing we debate issues and agree to go in the same direction.

The club has been the platform for many long-standing friendships. Many of you will have already made lifelong friends from your time at the club. The club and sport have provided me with many memorable games that I have both played in and watched, enjoying some great moments along the way, including tours, finals, and social events.

The Key to our success is Volunteering. As a Volunteer, I continue to enjoy giving back to the Club and Sport that gives so much back to me. I encourage anyone, of any age, to engage with the club and embrace the rugby family. Please remember before you complain, consider what “you have given back”, and can you give more.

We are a members club born from volunteers, volunteering is priceless, and experience is not a requirement.

Please contact me if you would like to help in any of the following areas:
• Pitches & Facilities - full training given.
• Cleaning, Car Parking, Changing Rooms & Furniture Set-up.
• Bar - serving and tills - full training given.
• Team manager, Kit manager, Administrator, or Scoreboard operator on match days.
• Coaching in our Minis sections - RFU coaching/first aid courses and DBS all paid for.
• Anyone with a skill i.e. plumbing, electrical, marketing, heating, groundworks etc.

Our “Thursday Club” meets every week from 9:30am to 12:30 if you can spare an hour or two contact myself, Nigel Bonas or Rick Skene.

This season 2024-2025, we celebrate our 95th Anniversary and expect a variety of events to enjoy across the season, which we hope you will all be part of, including:
• a Black-Tie Anniversary Evening for Senior Awards.
• Halloween, bonfire Night, Xmas, Ladies days and much more.
• Legends Lunches, more Fridays under the Lights matches.
• Autum Internationals and 6 Nations.
• England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

I look forward to supporting our club Officers and Committees throughout another season, please do the same and volunteer with the rest of us. We all expect success for Broadstreet, but we need you all for this to be possible, please join me in shaping our future.

Your Sincerely

Simon Skene
President
Broadstreet RFC