As another rugby season is nearly upon us, I wanted to update members regarding several points of interest that are happening around the club, but before I do, I would like to thank Graham Lewis for his stewardship as Chair over the last 4 years and for the many positive developments instigated during his tenure, most importantly having the floodlights installed which has revolutionized our standing from a weeknight training perspective.

I am pleased to say that Graham will not only still be involved with the club helping Dave Bywater out with the club lunches but also, potentially, as a grandparent watching his grandchildren from the touchline on a Sunday morning. Whilst on the subject of changes, Sara Percival has kindly stepped up to replace me as Treasurer and we also welcome Conor McLoughlin as our new club physio.

Last year’s on field successful season was matched by an equally major off field event. Our Fundraising committee organised its first major fundraising event in May at Prested Hall and, at all levels, the evening was a great success raising just over £14,000 which will be invested back into the club. They have a hard act to follow!

During the summer, Director of Rugby, Alex Lacey, put on several weeks of tag rugby at The Glebe. The evenings were really well attended and it was heartening to see the age range from 8 to Ralphy/Ade all having fun! It augurs well for the club that players of all ages and abilities came along.

Over the last two years Alex has worked tirelessly to raise expectations within the club on both the playing and coaching side. The club therefore nominated him for Volunteer of the Year, and I am delighted to say that having been one of two from the Eastern Counties to be automatically selected to go to Twickenham on 1st September, with his wife, to attend the RFU’s National Volunteer of the Year awards’ evening, he took out top honours in the Unsung Hero category. In addition, the hard work which all of the Mersea Island RFC coaches put in last season resulted on us being on a shortlist of 2 for Club of the Year in Eastern Counties; just being pipped by Saffron Walden RFC. Nevertheless it reflects really well on the club and a tribute to the hard work put in by so many over recent years.

The new season for the two senior teams will provide stiff but exciting challenges for both and so I would encourage members to provide as much support as possible to them – it really does make a difference. Our first club lunch of the season - which coincides with our first home game against Colchester IIs - is on 23rd September. It should be a great occasion so if you are unable to come to the lunch please come along and give the team a great welcome on the touchline. Also, because of the far flung parts of the Eastern Counties to which the 1st XV in particular will be travelling, we have hired coaches for the furthest 5 away games which will have sufficient spaces for supporters to travel to these matches.

Other developments of note, and in keeping with the committee’s desire to keep moving the club forward, are the acquisition of a 2nd video camera for use primarily by the youth teams, an electronic scoreboard, which will be visible from both pitches, and further work being undertaken on the pitches to continue to improve the playing surfaces and their resilience to additional training and games – they are both looking great. Furthermore, we have received a grant from the RFU which is to be used for girls’ rugby and we will be pushing to establish a girls’ team at MIRFC.

On the financial front, Dave Murrell has done another excellent job attracting sponsors this coming season. We are very appreciative for the continued financial contributions of sponsors who have supported the club over many years as well as to the new sponsors who have come on board. Sponsorship, players’ subs and the income from club lunches are vital in offsetting the absence of a dedicated clubhouse which severely limits the amount of money that we can self-generate.

The registration morning for the new season was Sunday 3rd September which saw many children old and new train for the first time. The pitches were looking spectacular and the bacon rolls were especially good (thanks Craig and Char!). It is vitally important that parents and players sign up to pay their subs via the various alternatives on Pitchero by 30th September at the latest. This will avoid Parent Reps having to chase outstanding subs. In recognition of the tough financial climate, the committee has decided to leave subs unchanged again for this season.

As many of you know, 2023 marks the 200th anniversary of when Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it so heralding the birth of rugby union. To mark the occasion there is going to be a celebratory event at The Glebe on Sunday 10th September at 12.15pm involving the 2 Mersea football clubs and the rugby club. There will be one half of football and one half of touch rugby, both played with a football. There will be a bar, BBQ, Ice Cream van, and bouncy castle/inflatables at The Glebe so please come along and support what should be a really enjoyable event.

Finally, having been Treasurer for several years - in a couple of guises - I feel very privileged and honoured to have been elected as Chairman of the club at our recent AGM. I hope to be very visible at matches, club lunches and youth training on Sunday mornings so if you have anything at all that you would like to ask with regard to the club please don’t hesitate to speak to me. It always heartens me when I speak with parents and players alike who tell me why they or their children play for Mersea, despite often living closer to other clubs. The thing that comes through repeatedly is the friendliness of the club and how welcome they are made to feel. So let’s keep doing what we do best and here’s to the club growing from strength to strength on the back of this.

Peter Martin