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ANNUAL REPORTS
We produced these for three years, but not for the last two!
2005/6
Chairman’s Report
This season has been one of improvement both on and off the field.
On the field the first team ended the season with one of their best league finishes for a few years. After the tribulations of last year this has to be seen as a success on which to build. The Seconds, Albion and Colts all won their own respective league tables and two of the youth teams also won trophies to end the season on a good note. It has to be said that we have had our disappointments, but we should not dwell on these but learn from them - and move forward.
Off the field we have completed the first stage of the clubhouse improvements and investment, and I trust that you are all enjoying the new look etc. We still have a great deal to work on, and this year we will be looking at upgrading the showers, boiler, possible changing room extension amongst other items as well. All of this will take a lot of planning and, of course, money.
On the social side we have enjoyed some really good nights of live entertainment and will look to increase that this year.
May I on behalf of all the members thank all those that have worked extremely hard (paid and unpaid) to ensure the success of Brixham Rugby Football Club.
Chris Forster
Financial Highlights
Continued operating cash surplus of £5,400 in spite of increased investment in rugby and large expenditure in the club house.
Improved bar sales like for like from last year of 4% - or just short of £9,000
Gross profit on the bar has fallen slightly over the year. This is being addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure the required finance is available for future investment.
There has been a change of catering arrangements. This gives us as a club the opportunity to generate income.
Gate receipts and membership have shown a significant improvement with the latter up by over 10%
Losses on the Dinner & Dance over the last few years have been halted and a profit made for the first time in 5 years.
Review of the Season
First XV
The games against Mounts Bay and Hornets were all winnable. Although we ran Mounts Bay close at home we should not be under any illusions as to how good a side they were. They had experienced quality players in their side to turn the game around. This is the standard that we should set ourselves to attain our goals.We often didn’t use the game plan we had practised but coaches around the world have suffered the same fate!There were disappointing displays by the First XV in some league matches and also in the Devon Cup semi final and Brewer cup games.A total of 43 players turned out for the First team - 38 players played in league matches and 5 others in cup and friendly games.
Reserves
The results speak for themselves but the standard of the opposition is poor and they understand that if we want stronger fixtures they have to travel.
Albion
They had a very enjoyable season and most weeks were struggling to give players a game because of too many numbers. They are looking forward to playing in a higher division next season. The records show that this is the most games that the Albion has played for many seasons.
Colts
An excellent season, including winning their league, getting to the cup final and a strong National cup run that included an overnight trip to Norwich. The team included a number of players who it is felt will be of future first team potential.A huge thank you for all the hard work and dedication put in by all the coaches and managers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pre season and season in ensuring that the teams performed week in and week out
PLAYING STRENGTH & RECRUITMENT
We have two opinions within the club. The first is that we should try for the sky, the second is that we should play only local players. If we want promotion and status we have to have “imports” until we are in a position as a club to almost exclusively play our own players. Everybody wants the best results possible, but these results cannot be achieved without additions to the squad. We have identified positions where we feel we have weaknesses and we are in contact with some local players and others, some of whom are from overseas. With any player from abroad you don’t know exactly what you get until he arrives but we now only go for players who are personally recommended to us from reliable sources. The Coach believes that we have about 25 players of suitable standard for playing in the First XV. In some positions we have cover, but not in others. We lack leaders. This was very apparent in some of the games we lost this season.
NEXT SEASON
During the closed season a large number of players have received one to one meetings with the coach and been given assessments of their strengths and weaknesses together with pre season fitness plans. A group meeting is being planned for all other players. A meeting has been held with last years Colts who are coming into the senior club to assure them that they are the future and what will be expected of them.
COACHING
The coming season will see some changes to the coaching structure and we are trying to fit together the pieces of the jigsaw.Brett has been satisfied with the numbers training but lacked help when large numbers attended. He is hoping to put this matter right and to have it all place in when we restart. The new role of Jon Ellery as the fitness coach as very important.Following a review of the youth we are hoping to make Brett the Youth Coach co-ordinator. The basic skill levels of the younger players are poor and we are aiming to put this right early so they do not become bad habits.
GROUND
The main pitch has been reseeded, sprayed and verti drained. The floodlights have been temporarily repaired but long term will need to be replaced. We are experiencing some problems with regards to the top pitch but the new improved training lights will be ready when needed.
2004/5
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
It has been a nerve-racking season but I think that the last game showed that Brett and his management team have a very good base to work with in the coming season. It was a pleasure to see so many former Youth and Colts players stepping up into the first team.
Inside the clubhouse we have started a long overdue major refurbishment to the downstairs bars, which it is hoped will be completed before September.
A ventilation system is to be fitted in the upstairs lounge bar (at last) and a revised system is in the process of installation in the down stairs bars.
On behalf of all members I would like to thank all the staff (paid or unpaid) for the tremendous job they have all done to make the season run so smoothly.
Mike Dodd
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
There is an improvement in last year’s surplus from £6600 to £18000. But further improvements are still required, as the amount of surplus represents 4.75% on turnover. We should aim for a !0%.surplus.
The bar surplus - which is the Club’s life blood - is up from £31000 to £49000 in spite of an increase of £7000 in costs. Gross profit increased from 36% to 43% but we still need to aim for 45% on current rising costs
Cash reserves are up by £23500 but against the total cash reserves of £65000 we have outstanding liabilities of £25000. Furthermore £18000 of the balance of reserves belong to the Brixham Youth RFC.
Income for use of the function room rose by £1000, but still needs to grow further - as does all ancillary income. Gate money is down along with all other income attributed to results on the field. This will only increase as field success improves.
Brixham Youth RFC had a very good season financially and great credit must go to the Youth Management.
Eric Crow
SENIOR RUGBY
Last season was one of the worst in the recent history of the club with the first team fighting to avoid relegation being the only thing at stake.
First XV
The season started brightly with a new coach and a squad of players who worked hard in pre-season training and were keen, fit and enthusiastic for the season ahead. Unfortunately that very soon changed as a crippling injury crisis took a stranglehold on the squad. This, coupled with unavailabilities, soon made a mockery of the early promise.
The results did not go our way and we lost 8 games by less than one score. But for the last two home results against two of the top three league clubs we would have been relegated but in the end we finished in 7th position in the league
In the Devon Cup the loss at home to Torquay was a bitter pill to swallow, but if we had played the first half like the second there would have been only one team in the game.
In all a total of 49 players played for the First XV which proves the problems that we had.
Reserves
The demands on players by the First team obviously meant that the reserves suffered as a consequence but despite this they had some good wins notably those against Bridgwater and Taunton at home.
The management team often had great difficulty in putting out a team on a Saturday especially in finding a front row, but throughout the season there remained an excellent team spirit which kept them together despite all the disruptions. A total of 68 players played for the team.
Albion
Cancellations by other teams caused problems and a lack of regular fixtures meaning players losing interest. In total 16 games were lost. It was an average season but despite all their problems they continued to enjoy the good old-fashioned spirit of rugby.
Colts
The Colts suffered through Ivybridge and Paignton not wanting to rearrange postponed/ cancelled merit table fixtures resulting in the Colts losing out on a Devon Colts Cup semi final spot which was given to Newton Abbot.
A very successful tour to Cork was well supported and much enjoyed. The senior sides look forward to welcoming the over age colts coming up this year.
Honours
Devon Under 20s. Ben Lovell, Nathan Reily, Gareth Williams.
Devon Under 18s. Steve Worth
Devon Under 17s. Tom Clark, Steve Worth
Team Management
At times all sides suffered with a lack of people willing to help out and the manager’s jobs are not helped by late cry offs or players expecting them to be psychic as to their availability!
Coaching and Training
The arrival of Brett Bedwell saw a great improvement in the numbers attending and the attitude to training. Records show that 75 players attended at least one training session. We had as many as 45 players at one session averaging out to about 30 at each session throughout the season. A major problem was a lack of coaches to assist.
Looking Forward
Pre-season training has already started and numbers have been excellent given that it was June. A large number of players have undertaken the post-season training programme to keep in shape during the break.
Brixham will compete in the Intermediate Cup and the Devon Cup (which we will join at the Quarterfinal stage).
In September Devon RFU will introduce Merit tables for second and third teams.
Player Recruitment
Despite what people think we do not get players banging on our door to play for us and recruitment is a very difficult unless you have a large chequebook or are a club higher up in the leagues than your local rivals.
Following several meetings we have identified our needs for players we feel are required to complete our squad for the coming season. We have had 20 CVs from overseas players and considerable thought has gone into what we need.
We now have some excellent overseas contacts in Peter Chart (Australia) and Don Clark (NZ) who have provided information on quality players. We have now identified three players whom we think will strengthen the team and are in the process of making final arrangements for them to come over.
Steve Shipway
YOUTH RUGBY
Rugby Week started the season with numbers reaching 100 boys and girls. Our thanks must go to Ashley McInally and his coaches who provided a tremendous week of coaching.
The youth were set a challenge at the start of the season to ensure that we had an Under 16’s team for next year’s Fisherman’s Cup Competition as this year we did not have an Under 15’s side. After a number of attempts we are pleased to announce that we now have a squad of 20 players for next years team.
An Under 12’s side also did not represent us but this again has been developed and now every age group will have a team playing in Brixham colours next year.
More active involvement from coaches saw the Committee grow in numbers as did the playing membership through posters and flyers in schools and also by word of mouth.
All the hard work in training has proved successful with the Under 13’s winning the Paignton Regatta Tag Competition and also coming runners up in The Devon Festival, but narrowly losing in the semi final of the Cup competition.
The Under 16’s were losing finalists in the Fisherman’s Cup and were beaten in the semi finals of the Devon Cup.
The Devon Under 14’s Festival was organised and held in Brixham with 16 teams enjoying a great day of rugby in atrocious weather conditions.
We continue to grow our links with the main Club and have produced a coaching guide for all our youth coaches to develop the coaching methods of the Club so that the basics are taught from an early age and used in the transition to senior rugby.
This year will see four key changes within the Committee as John Lovell, Liza Lovell, Jo Champion and myself are all standing down. We welcome Steve Skeet as the new Chairman, Kelly Simmonette as Treasurer, Derek Piper as Vice Chairman and Amanda Seymour as Fixture Secretary.
We look forward to another exciting year developing youth rugby at Brixham R.F.C.
Bryan Pitman.
2003/4
Chairman’s Statement
With all of our senior sides performing well in their respective leagues, last year was another successful season for the Club though the Devon Cup Final result was keenly felt. The performance of the Under 15s in defeating a Barnstaple side containing nine County players was a compliment to everybody involved in the Youth.
Off the field our results were good but with costs continually rising our operating profit fell back slightly.
None of the Club’s success would be possible without the help and support of the many people who give their time so willingly - both to our playing sides and behind the scenes.
I thank you all
Mike Dodd
Highlights of the Year
General
To complement the new Function Room a lift was installed to enable disabled persons to use the facilities upstairs
Interest in sponsoring the Club’s playing sides has never been stronger and we have a waiting-list of match sponsors
We continue to support local charities and over the year these have, we estimate, benefitted to the tune of over £3000 from fund-raising at the Club
Playing
First Team. Our League - South West Division Two West – again proved to be a tough nut to crack. After leading at Christmas we were hit by injury problems and eventually finished fourth. In the Devon Cup we did all the hard work by beating Exmouth and Barnstaple but slipped up in the final which Newton Abbot won with the last kick.
Reserves. Had a great season and won the South West Reserves Table.
Albion – For the first time the Albion team were involved last season in competitive rugby in the Exe Vale Merit Table. Despite their traditional lack of training they finished runners-up and only lost two games in the league.
Colts – Despite losing so many players to the senior ranks the Colts had a good season coming second in the South and West Devon Merit Table before being defeated in the semi-final of the Devon Colts Cup.
Youth – We now have nine teams with over 120 youngsters playing each week. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the win by the Under 15’s in their Devon Cup Final over Barnstaple.
Financial
Our policy of not increasing beer prices during the year was a mistake. While beer prices were fixed (due to our new Brewery deal) other costs continued to go up and our profits suffered as a result.
Despite this our Gross Surplus was satisfactory.
Cash reserves have been reduced considerably over the past two years and we must take steps to ensure that they recover over the next few years
The new function room has resulted in a significant increase in income from both room hire and match sponsorship – plus the indirect benefit of boosting bar income.
Membership continues to increase.
Social
Over the season we welcomed around 20 touring teams to Astley Park – both senior and youth.
Our own second major tour of recent years saw a Club side in South Africa. We enjoyed a very successful trip and were only prevented from obtaining a 100% record of success when "ringers" were brought in for our final game against Crusaders.
Book now for the next tour – southern hemisphere again but the other side of the ocean. Don’t cry for us Argentina!
Prospects
We look forward to the season under a new coach who will arrive shortly – Mark Hewitt having departed to the Gloucester Academy. Training has already started
Next season we intend to be fielding another senior team – the Extras. Like the Albion they will play in the Exe Vale Merit Table
The success of last year’s Rugby Week was such that the RFU may support it directly this year.
Future Plans
A Disabled toilet will be installed in the next couple of months – the cost of this will be met from grant funding arranged by Brixham Community College
We continue to look at ways to increase Club revenue from non-traditional sources and at ways of containing our costs.
We are continuing to look at sources of Lottery Funding to enable us to refurbish and modernise the changing rooms. Just when we thought we were in a position to apply for a grant Sport England decided to change the rules!
We are still looking for land to create new pitches for our Youth in close proximity to Astley Park
In line with the RFU’s desire we are becoming more E-nabled. Our website is being redesigned and match programmes will be online next season. An email newsletter will be launched soon for our members.