Message from the Chairman

For those who could not attend the AGM, this is the message given by Brian Pilkington, our Chairman.

Address to the AGM

Thank you all for attending this AGM, as you will be aware the 2020 AGM was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown the country was in at that time.

I would ask you all to take a moment to reflect on the members that have sadly passed away during this time, Topsy Lock,  Ian Ballardie and Ron Burgin, the club extends its sadness and sympathy to their family and friends.

A big thank you to all our volunteers for the hard work they have done during this strange year, the club is always indebted to you and could not run without you.

I would also like to thank our NHS workers, Dr’s, Nurses, HCA’s, Ambulance staff and paramedics, the Police for managing an increasingly difficult situation with little clear guidance and Teachers who have also had to manage ever changing regulations, the Fire Brigade, retail staff and all front-line workers, for all the hard work they have carried out during this pandemic.

The club helped the less fortunate in our community by turning the kitchen over to HITS during the first lockdown and club players, coaches and members helped in the delivery of the food. We also supplied free lunches and Christmas hampers for families in receipt of free school meals .

Changes

You will have seen that the pitches are looking great, partly due to lack of use but mainly down to the fact that we have purchased a new tractor and donated equipment, and developed and trained a grounds team, great work by them. You will also have seen the new fencing around the front pitch, new signage on the roundabout. Extended carpark and the bridge to homers replaced.

The Tannoy system has been updated, Popcorn Camping will be using Homers pitch and possibly the back pitch from 26 July to the end of August. All age groups (Jnr’s) will be getting new kit this year, a new website is up and running and memberships are now all available for monthly subscription or one off payment.   This has been achieved by hard work through all aspects of the club, but an immense drive by the commercial team.

We have to look to the future and ensure that the club is sustainable, rugby is expensive to put on, and we want to be able for the club to play at the highest sustainable level we can. For both the men and the women, and to develop our Junior Section into one of the best in Devon feeding the premier leagues. The years of making £6k operating profit this year and a £19k operating loss the next must come to an end.   To facilitate this we have to change the way the club is run, and make NARFC Ltd is a professionally run business, to this end you will all have seen the proposal for the updated Mems. and Articles and club/company structure.   You will shortly hear a brief financial report from our accountant, which will show the result of the previous years hard work, later you will also hear the future business plan

The one thing we need is volunteers to help implement this plan and run the club. So let’s grasp this exciting and bold plan and move forward into the future together as #One Club, One goal, One Community.

Thank You

Brian Pilkington