News From The Chair.....Sep 25

“Let the Season Begin!”

As the new community season gets underway, the Women’s Rugby World Cup reaches its exciting conclusion with the semi-finals and final over the next fortnight. 

This weekend, the top 4 in the World Rankings go head-to-head with the Black Ferns of New Zealand facing Canada and France taking on the favourites England as they look to book themselves into the final on the 27th. 

All the games will be shown at the club, although please note that the New Zealand-Canada match will be at the same time as the Coaches Open Evening, and not open to the rest of the club. 

On the 27th of the month, we will also have our Warriors day, a chance for us to celebrate the women’s and girl’s teams at Vees. There is an exciting day planned featuring a Warriors open invite training session for 14+, a Mini Warriors match vs Hertford, inflatables, a BBQ, DJ and of course we will be showing the Bronze Medal match and the World Cup Final on the big screen. Join us from 12.00pm and invite friends and family as well!

The Club is now in its 76th season and I’m proud to say that we are in great shape.  Throughout the summer much has been done to improve the club facilities and administration. 

The work party on the 31st August was well supported with a fantastic amount of work done by many in just 3 hours. After the work, came the Family Fun Day which was well attended, generating funds for the outdoor space project. Thanks to the organisers and helpers who made both the work party and fun day happen. 

These event days, and the running of the club only happen due to the hard work of your committee, coaches, volunteers and administrators, who are having to keep up with regular updating of all legislative and advisory requirements, as well as doing their normal roles (+extras) in the club. Many of these members have been active in the club for years and decades, giving up their time and energy year after year. 

Notably, our president has spent 35 years involved with the club, whilst Max Schroeder who still gets down now occasionally for matches has been a Vee for some 54 years! I, myself, proudly played my first game in 1963 and my final game in 1995. With several years as captain and coach, and most offices in the club up until now my tenure at Vees is in its 62nd year. However, even my time here pales into insignificance when compared to Peter Field. As one of the original members, Peter played for 12 years, helped to build the original pavilion and looked after the pitches at our current home until 2022. An incredible 70 years of service!

So, I encourage you, whether a coach, player, volunteer or parent, if you have skills, talents or advice to take Vees into the future, please speak to a member of the committee and join the team. 

Last week, the Minis & Juniors returned and it was great to see the club alive with sound of kids having fun. The playing section of the club is strong. Our Mini and Junior section now has over 300 active youngsters and the senior section has teams in both league and merit tables, the golden oldies also have a number of fixtures planned, and the Senior Warriors are playing in a Saracens Amateurs Touch Tournament on Sat 20th Sept.  Coaches should be very proud of the work they do and the activities which have carried on throughout the summer months.

My Volunteer of the month is KAREN PENN who is responsible for the advice, research and installation of our new EPOS till system. This will hopefully help with the management and running of the bar which is important revenue stream for the club.  Congratulations and Thank You!

Dates For Your Diary:

Thu 18th Sep: Committee Meeting, Start 8.00pm

Fri 19th Sep:    Coaches Welcome Evening, Start 7.30pm

Sat 20th  Sep:  Mens 1st XV Home vs Chesham 

                            Mens 2nd XV Home vs Royston

                          Warriors Away @ Saracen’s Amateurs Touch Tournament

Sat 27th  Sep:  Warriors Day, Start 12.00 pm

Fri 3rd Oct:       Vees Race Night 7pm-10pm. Tickets available at http://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/87546

A First Aid course is also to take place shortly so that we are fully covered by the RFU at all age groups, details to be released shortly.

Ian “Shanks” Graham, 

Club Chair