Rugby club looks back and forward (From Penarth Times)

Rugby club looks back and forward

ALTHOUGH it is still the height of summer, and midway between seasons, the activity at Sully Sports RFC is continuing apace.

At the club's AGM, chairman Ray Gallivan reported on a very successful 2004/05 season, both on the field under the leadership of coach Graham Mathews and captain Martin Young, and off-field through the hard work of all members of the committee.

By general consensus, the highlight of the season was the tour to Prague, which has been acclaimed as the most successful and enjoyable in the club's history. The club beat both Leigh RFC and hosts Sparta Praha RC in the mini-tournament, and the whole party enjoyed the sights and hospitality of a great city.

The club is financially very sound, and all the club's sponsors were thanked, in particular Grab It Plant Hire, Cardiff Tennis Club and Carpet Services (Cardiff) Ltd for their help and assistance.

The junior section has grown over the past four years and is now entrenched as a major part of the family that the club has always been - all down to the untiring work of its committee.

The one sad occurrence during the year was the passing away of Geoff Beckingham, ex-coach of the club, valued member and long time friend. He will be missed by his many friends in the club and throughout the rugby world.

The new management committee was elected as follows: R Gallivan (chairman); M J Stafford (secretary); R Owens (treasurer); J Stafford (fixture secretary); A Davies (match secretary); P Mees (chairman of selectors); A Williams (non-office-bearer).

It was agreed that the duties of social secretary/ committee would be carried out by a monthly meeting of senior players who would nominate a representative to the management committee as appropriate.

The AGM also ratified the 2005/06 appointments of the mayor, Cllr Margaret Alexander as president; G Mathews as coach and M Young as captain.

The annual presentation dinner dance, held at the Sully Clubhouse, was once again a successful and enjoyable evening.

The main guest was the club's president, Cllr Emlyn Williams, who presented the awards to:

Graham Burke - Player of the Year.

Toby Warren - Most Improved Player of the Year.

N Raffour - Most Promising Player of the Year.

Mike Stafford - Clubman of the Year.

Paul Taylor - Non-Player of the Year.

Also honoured for his long service to the club was Peter Mees, who was made up to a vice president.

The mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Margaret Alexander, has honoured the club in accepting its invitation to be president for 2005/06, and she has already met club officials to discuss her commitments, interests and service for the forthcoming season.

Full rugby training resumes Mondays and Thursdays from 6.45pm-8.15 pm, on July 18.

Current players are encouraged to start training as soon as possible, and new players are most welcome to join in.

In the warm-up to the new season, the club has again accepted the invitation to play in the Southmead RFC ten-a-side tournament on August Bank Holiday Saturday, August 27, and hope to improve on their semi-final appearance last year.

Continuing the pre-season bonding, plans are in hand for a short tour on September 3-4, with the likely hosts to be one of last season's two touring sides to visit Sully Sports, either Army Training Regiment, Pirbright, or Devonport HSOB, Plymouth: watch this space and make an early booking.

Discussions are already in hand for the main tour at the end of next season, and it will be hard to emulate last April's Prague trip, and as players are talking of another International tour, they are reminded to make their views known to the tour committee and get the bank mandates sorted out with the treasurer.

Everyone is most welcome to visit the club's website www.sullysportsrfc.co.uk to keep up with club news, fixtures, results, events and details of contacts - committee, telephone numbers, addresses (post and email).

Otherwise, for fixtures and information, contact John Stafford, tel 01446 730587, and for any other matters, contact Mike Stafford, tel 01446 401886.