Chairmans Column

Hello everyone,

A short note to make you more aware of your club and what is going on, in case you have not been up for a while.

We have achieved success over the years, with a high point in 2010 appearing at Twickenham and reaching Midlands 1. Since when we have looked to replace some of those players as they have moved on or retired, with varying degrees of success ( although a few have progressed to coaching) and we are currently in the middle of rebuilding again, looking forward to introducing the current under 18s to senior rugby over the coming years. They have a competitive full list of fixtures this season and are worth seeing and supporting, especially as breakfast batches are available at home games.

A new coaching team this year has introduced a differen

t style of play, which is producing some good rugby, but in a highly competitive league there has been little opportunity to enjoy a honeymoon period and results have not gone our way yet. However, we intend to keep with it but perhaps remember our traditional skill set.....!

There are a lots of clubs in Warwickshire struggling with numbers of players and we are one of those. This is a little odd as training is better attended than many previous years, often only exceeded by those times when the pot hunters appear.  I would urge you to come and try a session on a Thursday and get used to handling the ball.

Once you see how enjoyable it is and start to play, we will be able to raise two teams each week. Until then we will pick our strongest team to fulfil league fixtures and in those weeks without a league fixture we will play a second team game to try and ensure we all get a chance to play, me included.

Selection is an open process and will, and has been, influenced by attendance at training, effort in a game and is based on merit.

As a rugby club our interests naturally revolve around rugby but it may surprise you to know that we also run an all-invited mixed sex, touch rugby session on a Monday, with high attendances each week; we are going to run two veterans weekends this year, one possibly before Christmas and another towards season end, stopping away and actually playing a game; we have had one Vice Presidents day and will have another on 1^ST April, communications to follow; alongside of which we have a series of social events planned throughout the season, the next being a Christmas Jumper Race Night on 10^th December; also we are a Wasps affiliate club and Wasps are arranging transport to their Christmas Eve game from Dunlop club.......busy!

As you can see your club is lively and vibrant, but is only as strong as it’s members, so don’t take anyone else’s word for it, come up and get involved in any of the activities mentioned, not forgetting the volunteers who make things run smoothly in the background.

All events can be found on the Google calendar under the fixtures tab at dunloprfc.com or can be downloaded straight onto your phone.

I look forward to seeing you.