Firstly, the headliner for the AGM report, is that after two and a half years challenging work in the background, we as a club, have secured a new 30 year Superior lease with the Council. This now means we are totally in control of our own destiny. A massive thanks must go to the project lead Matt Hunter and his “wing men” Sam Mann and Robbie Sanderson. I am pleased to highlight our short-term objectives from 1st May just gone to year 3 , making what we have in respect of making improvements to the club house and grounds to accommodate our near 1400 membership. This is going to be achieved by grant applications (which in the case of CIL funding has already been submitted) and fundraising.
The longer-term objective 1st September 2026 to year 8 ,is to consider a much larger scale project to fully redevelop the clubhouse and the pitches in whatever guise the membership thinks appropriate. To this end, we are currently having professionals drawing up plans with several different options and there will be an open evening planned for late September, for members to attend and give feedback, with their views and ideas before any firm decisions will be made. Now that we hold the superior lease, we are not barred from applying for large grants from the RFU , Sports England , the Playing Fields Association, and the National Lottery. Given similar projects undertaken by other clubs of our size in the region, it will be about a 6.5 million project.
Current facilities wise , we are still in negotiations with the Council regarding available space on North Walls , but the two pitches on Devils Island are confirmed, as is the new pavilion, providing 8 RFU approved en-suite changing rooms with showers and WCs plus the actual club room ,as required on a needs basis week on week.
The current snag at North Walls Park , is a proposed walking / running track which does impact on the space available , the current committee are supportive of the petition to ask the council to reconsider – we will be circulating to members tomorrow so you can make your own informed decision.
As promised at the last AGM , we have changed the way our accounts and finances are organised, setting up a subsidiary trading company outside of the community rugby club and as such , our CASC status has been reinstated.
The accounts show, although are base costs and expenses on are still sharply increasing, we remain a good financial position even before any 2026/27 membership fees, commercial activity income and new season sponsorships are in.
Some of you will be aware that one of our stalwart members suffered a catastrophic spinal injury whilst playing an away fixture in February. I would just like to reassure the members, that the player and his family are being fully supported by the club and the RFUs Injured Player Foundation and our insurers Howdens, assisting with both short- and longer-term needs. The incident itself is still part of an ongoing investigation and fact-finding mission by officers at the RFU at Twickenham. At the wish of the family , we as a club, have not commenced any local fundraising, however, should they at any time in the future wish us to pursue this , we will of course use every means at our disposal to fund raise to support them.
At senior level we have had another fantastic season for all four men’s and our ladies’ sides.
Both academy teams at the top of their game, cup winners, and runners up in most age grade sections with some teams picking up regional competition success and a fast-growing girls section.
I would like to thank all of the senior coaches picking out Chris Searle and Jake Hiscock who lead from the front, and other very familiar faces who have helped put Winchester Rugby Club at the level we are today at senior level.
We are also immensely proud of Winchester players both girls and boys that have gone on to represent us at County, Regional and we are proud to say the professional academies, some now with professional contracts, a true testament to our efforts at grass root rugby.
Now this does not just happen…I wish to pay tribute to our army of volunteers (about 190 at the last count) ably supported by our paid staff…without doubt the backbone of this great community rugby club.
There are two other groups that I would personally like to thank, firstly the club’s management team, a small, dedicated team WHO THEMSELVES, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER , are volunteers fulfilling various professional roles on behalf of the club. Without them the place would simply not tick.
They also throw their weight behind things like the Winchester 7’s, age grade tournaments, and social events to name but a few…..I congratulate and salute them for all of their efforts.
My second big thank you is to all of the club’s sponsors without whom the club could not achieve what we aim to achieve month on month…year on year.
Our President Rob Sanderson is doing a fantastic job as the club’s sponsorship manager with help from other committee members and seems to find new sponsors nearly every other week…thanks must go to Rob…also.
Looking forward, the future looks bright. All sections including senior men, senior ladies, mini & juniors have reported increased numbers once again , again a massive thank you to Matt Stagg and Christine Donald the Directors of Rugby who work so very hard behind the scenes in organising all aspects of rugby activity at Nuns Road.
Tonight ,we recognise a number of club members by awarding vice president positions.. Thank you all for your invaluable contributions to the club, congratulations to you all.
I would also like to place on record the hard work of all of the clubhouse team, partially Fred and Natalie who form our management team , their invaluable income stream helps us do what we do.
Looking forward I’m once again very optimistic and enthusiastic about the coming season for WRFC.
Yours
Steve Barrow
Chair, WRFC
