Devizes RFC

Hello everyone,

I’m very pleased to say that we've got competitive rugby back tomorrow at the Chivers ground - we're all looking forward to it, it's been a long road to get here and we’re grateful to have got this far. See here (DRFC club touch competition) for more information, especially about what you need to do, as a spectator.

Before we kick-off the season I want to say thank you to a lot of people who’ve made this possible. I wanted to start with a thank you to the ground staff - to Julian for getting everything ready for us and for looking after the ground over the summer; it's a lot of work and he does it week in week out, we wouldn't be where we are now on such good playing surface without his care and attention.

We've had some real effort by our resident sparkies Butler & Buzz Associates on the pitch lighting -  we need the training area and the top pitch lights on much more frequently now because we have to split the training sessions up (COVID security of course). A lot of effort went in to get the lights fixed and aligned, and we only had to jumpstart the cherrypicker once. They are looking great, if only they were free to run.

Another significant thank-you to the people who came along on the Natwest Clubforce day in early September to help get the place spruced-up and welcoming, makes it easier for people to spread themselves out along the touchlines. Obviously at the moment we can't have sports club open, we can't even use the veranda area as we're not allowed to gather in large numbers undercover – this damn virus is making all of our lives tricky and difficult, and we appreciate your understanding that things aren’t back to normal (yet).

Before I forget – tomorrow we need to space ourselves out all around the main team pitch, we’ve cleared-off all the paths and cut back the trees so there’s good access to both pitch sides. We’re also planning to make it easier to walk right along the length of the canal bank (Catholic) side, to join the path behind the dugout, in the near future.

Another massive thank you goes to the coaches and team managers – the leadership group who’ve looked after our return to rugby (Joe, Chris, Keith, Del, Julian and a cast of supporters) – but in particular the junior coaches who’ve been very flexible to fit-into the training slots. Between parents and coaches you’ve done amazingly well over the last four Sundays, and in the evening sessions, to get so many jnrs safely through the training areas and to get miles back into young players legs, and get the kids back to something that’s a bit more familiar and fun. So well done again - it's been a huge team effort and it's massively appreciated.

Also very much appreciated as ever are the Club’s sponsors (and our chief wrangler). Times are tricky for all of us, our sponsors are no different and yet many are supporting us for another year. We are continuing to support all of our sponsors from last year, too - they have helped look after us and so we're going to support them in return: we recognise that we only thrive as a club and enjoy the good times with help from our sponsors – and even more so in these hard times, when revenue through the bar or through functions is wiped-out.  

So I’m going to ask you all to do two things, to help us keep our heads high above the water and make sure that we can all continue to enjoy the game we all love at the place we love, once this craziness is over. First I’m going to ask each and every one of you to follow the example of the juniors and make sure you’ve paid-up your club membership in good time. We’ve made sure the fees are sensible given the strange circumstances of this year: so I’m not going to be shy of asking you.

Whether you are a supporter (a Saddlebacker or vice president) a senior man, senior woman, or parent of a junior please take the example that the junior section is setting. Even though we aren’t playing competitive league fixtures (or even friendlies with other clubs yet) we still have running costs and fixed overheads to meet.  It's as simple as this: we are members – we don't pay to play, we don't pay for services rendered. We all pay into Devizes rugby club so we can all enjoy the benefits - and if we want the rugby club to continue, we have to pay our Subs. It's as simple as that, I'm not going to dress it up.

If you’re having any trouble with finding the right place to sign-up online, or you’re not sure what the right package is for you, don’t worry – drop us a quick line, we’ll send you a link and sort you out.

Second – please take a good look at our fantastic new monthly game. To those of you who are already with us - thank you, you're already making a real difference. We’ve just made three people very happy in the first ever Devizes 20:20 Club draw. A five-pound ticket won £250…and another one £100…and a third won £50. And we do it all again this month…and we hope the same fun will be had every month after that.

And for those of you who haven't taken the chance to join yet, you are very welcome! It’s a great feeling to win, and great for the Club too. It’s really simple: you buy a £5 ticket by direct debit, and the pot gets split-up between the Club and the prizes. You’re helping to keep us full steam ahead AND you’re getting the chance for few quid on the side: what’s not to love? Be in it, to win it… Devizes 20:20 prize draw

Anyway I've rambled on too long – first time I’ve ever dictated a note using Microsoft Word and you really get into the swing of it.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow; I know it's not going to be “the same” but let’s adapt – we ignore and override, then we crack on.

Over the next five or six week come and support the boys, come and support the girls, come and support the Colts - let's get back to doing what we do, playing and watching rugby.

Alright and catch up with you tomorrow.

Chris Dyer

Chair DRFC

+44 (0)7777 682158

chair@devizesrfc.org.uk