Brothers Rugby Club -Performancereview Season 2015
Brothers Rugby Club -PerformanceReview season 2015
Brothers Rugby Club historically, like most, is cyclical in performance.
In 2014 we finished at the top of a very successful 4 year winning cycle in the life of the Club,having risen from 4th Division in 2011 by winning Club Championships and Premierships along the way.
We went into the 2015 season with high expectations of our return to 1st Division & Kentwell Cup after a 32 year absence.
But big things do not happen without players, as it is always a numbers game, and as the season progressed we struggled, for which we are deeply embarrassed & must apologize to the Union.
Putting aside 1st grades semi final finish, the Club, itself, views its overall performance as very disappointing.
So with the strong performance by 1st grade, having our lower grades and Colts finish around the bottom of their respective comps was not envisaged.
We acknowledge a number of factors, as listed below, contributed to this situation:
- Amateur Status of the Competition did have an impact on the Club.
1st Grade -Six players from the 2014 team did not continue with club.
Three retired & of the other 3, one went to play at a 2nd Div. Club,one at a 3rd Div. Club& the other went off to league.
- 2ndGrade team from 2014, who were minor premiers, struggled this seasonwith fourteen team membersnot returning.
Various reasons for this situation occurring included -retirement, work, injuriesetc.
None were to do with the competitions’ amateur status.
- Colt s – our principal source of recruitment for Colts players is St. Pius X College Chatswood. This year weonly managed to attract two players from leaving class of 2014.
We missed the mark here, as we tookthe normal flow- on from our primary feeder for granted. This resulted in our colts struggling for numbers most of the season.
We recognise that this situation was partially of our own doing as we had a number of pre-season disruptions within our Colts management. This in turn impacted severely on our recruitment strategies. This has now been rectified and expectations are again high.
- 3rd Grade – had a Fijian coach, who recruited heavily amongst his Pacific Islander friends. This situation proved to be very problematical with lots of no-shows at games training.
We consider this as a contributing factor for the Club’s need to forfeit a number of matches.
It should be noted that this coach has now moved on, taking up a position with a 3rd Div. club for next season.
5. We also had a lot of retirements with longer term players hanging up the boots, thinking their job was done after our elevation to 1st Division.This caused us major problems before most realised that consolidation is always required once promotion comes.
We are working hard now to address & correct these issues AND have an action plan for 2016 being currently implemented [see below]
Player strength for 2016
Our club is confident of having sufficient numbers to field at least FOUR Senior teams plus ONEColts team for 2016 season.
Comment is a result of:
- Majority of 1st grade have indicated they would be playing in 2016.
- Club has put a great deal of work in with this year’s St.Pius school leavers.
Twelve have already played at least one game for the club at the back end of the season and we are expecting this number will increase to over twenty.
This number combined with over ten current eligible colts should result in a squad exceeding thirty. It is envisaged overflow will be available for senior grades
- Our first grade coach Tom Burns from 2009 through to 2014, who did not coach in 2015, has advised he wishes to return to the club to take up a coaching role.
He has further informedus that he has contacted many players that have played with us previously. He has seventeen names of those interested in returning to play.
[These include the premature retirees mentioned earlier]
- Club has now set up a Players Committee under the leadership of our Club Captain.
Its Primary responsibility is for Player Recruitment/Retention.
A key initial strategy of this committee was to commence touch football/bbq on a Thursday nights. Numbers so far from the Thursday nights this has been running indicate over thirty have attending each night.
Ten participants new to the club have already advised their intentions to play next season.
5. Strength & conditioning will be commencing on Tuesday 11/01/16 at St Pius School Gym, under Francis Cullimore’s tutelage,to supplement the Thursday touch footy already in operation
.
Proposals for recruitment –
Our primary feeder St Pius x College Chatswood are utilising the services of Club coaches Francis Cullimore (ex Waratah and current Aust 7’s skills coach) and ex Wallaby Mathew Ryan within their coaching programme. The benefits from this relationship are being evidenced with an injection of Colts for season 2016 (approx 35 expected)
Proposals for recruitment
Those mentioned above plus existing members and those outside our immediate catchment are participating within the clubs Thursday night touch football competition giving us current known numbers of approximately 60 participants.
The touch competition is an initiative of our newly formed Senior Players Group who has an average age of 23 years
Establishment of country networks through former players/members, including several Life Members who are now living in country areas & interstate, to act as talent spotters where possible. Damien Henry in the New England area & John Waugh in Queensland, who are both experienced rugby administrators, are being asked to assist.
1Their role is to identify players moving to Sydney for education/employment and inform them of the Clubs location and structure etc. In turn the Club is being advised of these potential recruits and making contact. To date we are confident of securing the services of eight players. As the season draws nearer we are confident of doubling this number.
2We are currently renewing player and non player memberships with percentage returns of 73%for current players
3As mentioned above Messrs Cullimore and Ryan are recognised coaches who are working within the club. In addition all senior and colts coaching and managing positions have been filled. The managers have been provided with booklets outlining their roles and responsibilities whilst the coaching staff have met under the stewardship of Head Coach Lenny Rarawa on three occasions to ensure consistency of approach and implementation
4Under the guidance of Cullimore and Ryan a Development School has been established to offer advice/assistance to those not only at the top end but also and perhaps more importantly to those of lesser skills and those new to the game
5In recent times the club has sought to avail itself of the multi talented Polynesians - their rugby talents are there for all to see. Given this we are aware that it is incumbent upon the club to foster a positive club culture via continuing integration of our Polynesian players and developingand promoting club values to reflect a fair and inclusive culture
6We are engaging Life Members and prominent past players to assist in our recruitment programme as well as encouraging current players to retain their membership and bring their friends to the Club. See our ‘Get out of Hell Free’ –‘play the game that’s played in heaven’ introduction card.
7Local print media have been contacted and have ensured us of their best endeavours to allocate space
8Via media (social/print etc) we will be sending a news bulletin mentioning key dates, sponsors involvement, contact points
9As to our social media sites we are reviewing all outlets to reflect accurate club information & dates.
Interstate & Overseas Connections -
Past President & Life Member Adrian Brannan is in the process of re-establishing our interstate links with the various Brothers Clubs around Australia,all of whom we have past cordial relationships with. [Brisbane, Perth & FNQ – Rockhampton, Mackay & Townsville].
We also have a connection with the Marist Rugby Conference, NZ & the South Pacific nations Tonga, Samoa & Fiji, which will be utilized. We have maintained a contact here via our Club Captain Charles Kilby being selected to tour with the Marist NZ Colts team in 2013.
Financial Situation
Club has recently carried out a review of income and expenditure for season 2016 and have budgeted for a net profit of $5000 which was in line with 2015.
Estimation is considered conservative as we have used thecurrent year income figures for Subscriptions and Annual Lunch, which should improve, and our pledges from sponsors are similar.
Club has cash reserves to cover contingencies.
Administration Strengths
AGM was held on the 26th October with a large group of current players in attendance.
All Executive positions were elected and a newCommittee filled with youth & experience has been formed.
The President Ian Meers and both Vice Presidents Martin Nichols and Bob Towers are Life members of long standing.
They all have formidable rugby administration skills & business experience.
There is a new Honorary Secretary – Patrick Gortley.
Along with anHonorary Treasurer– Nathan Timbrell a Registrar – Liam Casey.
There is a new Club Captain, Charles Kilby. He will be assisted by 2 Vice- Captains for seniors & colts.He chairs a senior player Committee group of 7 players, which has already been very active.
Of particular note is the youth and enthusiasm exhibited by the newer appointees
Club Coaches/Management
Club and team coaches have been appointed for the 2016 season.
They are:
Club Coach – Lenny Rarawa
1st Grade - Lenny Rarawa
Assistant - DaveAllsopp
2nd Grade - Paul Rosier
Assistant - Mark Durasic
Colts - Matt Ryan
Assistant - Fran Cullimore
3rd Grade - Tom Burns
Assistant - Paul Gibbs
4th Grade - Karl Houghton
The Club has called for nominations for managers and have six applicants so far.
Managers will be assigned to teams in due course.
Home Ground Facilities
Roseville Chase Oval Cardigan St Roseville
Is a Kuringai Council ground we share with Roseville Juniors & Subbies in winter.
Most aspects of facilities at Roseville Chase including playing surface are considered adequate or satisfactory.
Amenities block is however sub standard and in conjunction with Roseville Juniors we have had several meeting with Councilin order to have these improved.
Further Notes from the Club President.
On the 9th November I attended a meeting with a Review Committee to discuss our Club’s performance and prospects for 2016.
At that time, I was unable to answer some questions particularly in regards to retention of First grade players and playing numbers for next season.
I was waiting on our first grade coach to report back, as he was in the process of contact players and awaiting replies.
In regards to overall numbers, although some initiatives had been put in place, I thought we would not be realistically able to assess results until February next year.
In view of my remarks about thisthe Review Committee advised they would recommend Club be demoted to perhaps 3rd division.
The above outcome of this meeting was relayed to my Club committee, who to a man were most alarmed by this, and as a resulta very strong ground swell of interest has started to stay on in First division.
Since that meeting of 9th November much progress has been made at the Club in a number of areas (refer to player strength for 2016 & Club administration) and I am now of the view that not only will the club have sufficient numbers to field at least four seniors and a colts team but all the teams will be competitive.
All committee members, coaches, managers & players realise the expectations of the Union, as well as the requirements & responsibilities, of participating in the 1st Division competition in 2016 and I can say that all members are actively committed to ensuring a very positive performance by the Club.
It is now respectfully requested that Club’s submission to stay in First division be favourably considered by the Board.
Ian Meers
President
Brothers Rugby Club
4/12/2015