As chairman of the Clacton Rugby Union Football Club, I would like to welcome you to our website. This will be my second season in this role, and I am pleased to say that my first was a success both on and off the pitch.
On the playing side, the optimism and confidence of coach Trevor Cottee that I alluded to in last year’s foreword turned out to be well founded, with the First XV winning Division Two of the Essex League. Led by their captain Ben Buxey, the boys lost just one league game, against a useful Thames side. However, they gained revenge against the South Ockendon team in February to make the President’s Lunch go down particularly well, before rounding things off with a scintillating display at Witham in April to take the title on points difference. This success sees us promoted to Essex League Division One, and this is the highest level the club has been at since league rugby was introduced back in 1987. Work commitments mean that Trevor is unable to continue as coach, but we are pleased to welcome Ben Clements to the club. It promises to be a challenging season, but I’m sure the team will be up to it.
The second XV – the Kestrels – had a mixed year in Division One of the Suffolk Merit League, but, importantly, they fulfilled every fixture. Captain Alan Lee, with able assistance from Paul Burnett, ensured that the club continued with its primary objective: to provide rugby for two adult teams every Saturday. There has been something of a reconstitution of the Suffolk League this year, with two divisions being reformed into three, and we find ourselves in Division Two.
Alan remains in charge, and I’m sure his team will be looking towards the top of that division
.
The Youth Section has been an outstanding success growing from nothing in only three years; I have to thank Pete Watts and Brian White for leading the way on this. Also thanks need to go to the team coaches and supportive parents who make matches happen. Alex Barbour has forged links with many of the local primary and secondary schools and coaches the U12's. Brian White coaches at mini's level (8-12's) plus sorts out the teams fixtures. We field sides at Under 12, Under 13 and Under 16 levels. Dave Hitchin trains/manages the U13's youth teams, with Dave Green and Jake Buxey the U16's. This all helps to foster the club spirit, and we have achieved the RFU Seal of Approval this year.
Unfortunately, last season saw the demise of the local ladies team, the Tendring Boadiceas, but hopefully they will surface again in the near future.
The on-field success was matched in the clubhouse, with special lunches taking place in both autumn and spring.
The Rugby World Cup never quite matched the 2003 attendances – perhaps it was the lack of Brian White’s breakfasts! On the subject of the clubhouse, the new changing rooms and showers are now ‘up and running’, with the next objective being to kit-out the new toilet facilities, and I thank all the players for persevering whilst the club resembled a building site. The resurgence of Youth Rugby means the clubhouse is now in use on Sundays as well as Saturdays, and hopefully this will continue.
I cannot complete my foreword without mentioning Dave Jaffray. ‘Jaffers’ to everyone who knows him, has been secretary of the club since 1995 and received a well-deserved Certificate of Merit from Tendring District Council in February this year. However, he decided it was time to stand down from the post, and I can only thank him on behalf of everyone connected with the club over the years. Sue Lee has taken on the onerous task, but we have not lost Jaffers completely as he continues in the role of treasurer.
Andy Sellman
July 2008
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