Hello everyone and a belated Happy New Year!
In my update just before Christmas we were looking forward to a resumption in competitive rugby in January. Well, here we are in the middle of the month and the prospect of any matches before March now looks remote.
Unfortunately, there is little we can do to offer activities now although the club pitches remain accessible to all members who wish to use the space as part of their regular exercise regime. Additionally, we are also in discussions with John Lewis, a local sports psychologist who has worked for Team GB etc with a view to arranging a program of wellness and performance presentations over the coming weeks and months. We are hopeful of being able to offer something for players and coaches so watch this space for further updates.
Off the pitch, there are several key activities which are being undertaken. Due to obsolete software, we are having to update our till system. This will allow us to bring our tills more closely aligned to GMS, the RFU’s membership database. In due course this will increase the functionality of our membership card system which should have numerous long-term benefits. In the meantime, whilst the switch is being undertaken over the next couple of weeks please do not try to load any funds onto your cards.
We have also signed up with Gigaclear to bring super-fast fibre optic broadband to the club, which will provide much faster Wi-Fi to the clubhouse once we are able to open.
The eagle-eyed will also have noticed that we have been able to remove a further two unsightly containers from the car park as storage space becomes available in the new gym. The new air conditioning system has been installed albeit we are still waiting for SSE to provide our new transformer so we can power everything up.
I am sure we all know someone who has been affected by Covid, however in recent weeks we have been concerned about the wellbeing of our prop Chris Rowland. Rowly was admitted to the Royal Berkshire hospital with severe breathing difficulties because of Covid. Thankfully due to due the first-class treatment by the NHS he is now off the danger list and has been discharged to recuperate at home. Chris has also posted the very thought-provoking message below about his experience which I would encourage you all to view.
Chris has only recently started his own business and a fundraising page has been established by Kyle Lovell to help see him through this difficult time. Please follow this link if you would like to view and support.
Take care,
