Glossop RUFC, like most other groups, relies almost totally on a vast array of volunteers and unsung heroes, who give what they can of their time and take responsibility for some of the many tasks and challenges of running a fast moving and successful club. There are hundreds of ways you can volunteer your time for the club and to give you an idea, some of the different ways are listed below: You can volunteer to… • become a member of the General Committee and have a direct say and input into key decisions affecting the running of the club as a members club and business • be a member of a committee sub group and share the decision making and tasks within a specific area of the club – such as grounds maintenance, social events etc • work alongside the sponsorship team to seek and maintain valued financial support from our general club sponsors and actively seek new opportunities • help to look for grants and wider support the club may be able to apply for and help with applications • offer to help the house and grounds maintenance team who meet regularly to take care of the general upkeep of the club, grounds and facilities and get involved in things such as cleaning outside areas, strimming the grass banks in the summer, maintaining the flower beds and water hanging baskets, help with groundwork projects, do small jobs within the clubhouse – the list is endless !! • be a helper on the gate to collect entrance monies on 1XV team match days • offer to help put parking signs and cones out on match days • help host sponsors and guests on match days and other club events • get involved in putting the annual club match programme together and collating articles and adverts ready for publishing • assist with the wide array of administrative tasks which are needed to keep the club ticking, such as creating posters for events, writing articles for newsletters, helping with changes to the website and updates to facebook and other social media platforms • offer skills and support to any member of the committee to help with a specific task they may need assistance with • help at one of the work parties held at the club to jet wash the changing rooms and outside areas, clean and decorate where needed, paint and touch up worn areas, tidy up notice boards, maintain internal furniture etc • help at any of the social events in a wide number of ways – from helping to set tables or arrange the room, sell tickets, help coordinate and run the event, clear up afterwards etc • sell raffle tickets for the scroungers mug and breakfast packs at match home games • get involved with coaching or supporting one of the teams and helping out with some of the general admin and running of the group The ways to help and support the club are endless and are in many cases unseen by many people, but without these fantastic volunteers – the club wouldn’t run !! Please get in touch with any of the current committee members if you think you might have some spare time and skills to offer – we will not turn any help away Thank you

Sponsorship  The 2023/24 season has been a busy one with all the changing challenges of a rapidly growing club. Support for our senior teams has been fantastic and the Mini & Junior section is extending provision and forming new teams as more & more young people want to see what rugby is all about. Our loyal and generous Sponsors have continued to financially support the club this season and allow the club to push forwards with projects, match kit & equipment and facilities that would otherwise not be possible. We are proud to say that this season, we have been able to provide match shirts for every one of our junior & senior playing members, thanks to the fantastic support from key sponsors such as RMD Contracts, Glossop Caravans, Plater Group and Forte Financial Group and we have been able to provide rugby post protection cushions shorts, pitch banners, gazebos, team pitch flags, tackle bags, touchline padded coats, kit bags, socks etc etc thanks to many of our other amazing sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are being looked at for the coming 2024/25 season with a wide range of GRUFC packages to suit all budgets and requirements and if you are interested in any form of Sponsorship for the club, whether it be financial or practical support in the way of your time or a skill you may have, please contact Rob Kenworthy 0788 4266878 robert.kenworthy@hotmail.co.uk who will be pleased to discuss the various options with you further. We are currently, specifically looking for financial support to fund a joint venture with Glossopdale School to provide a dedicated rugby coach, who will introduce rugby to more young people within the school and also provide support and training at the club, thus ensuring a progression through the age groups and teams Please look around the clubhouse and grounds to see names of all our sponsors and take a closer look at names on match & training kit to see just how much support we receive. We are immensely grateful for this continued support, and in an ever-changing financial climate, cannot and do not take this for granted. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE CLUB IN A SPONSORSHIP CAPACITY THIS SEASON Social & Fundraising Events Social events are legendary at Glossop Rugby Club and apart from getting together and having fun, are a vital way of providing fundraising for the club. This season, we had a “A bit of Lanky Panky” with Buzz Hawkins, tasted lots of new beers at the GRUFC annual Beer Festival, held a Celebration of the Ladies of the Club Lunch with the pink shirt raffle, felt festive at the Christmas Family Fun Day, with craft stalls, Santa and Glossop Band leading the Christmas singing, got in the St Davids Day spirit with Welsh Quiz and the PAPYRUS Hope Walks. Forthcoming Events for the rest of this season On Saturday 20 th April, we will celebrate St Georges Day at the club whilst the mighty 3s play at home. There is no cost to get in, there will be some food to purchase and fancy dress is only if you want to, but maybe wear something red and white to keep with the England theme. Captains Night and an Awards Evening is still to be arranged – dates to be confirmed Ascot Ladies Day will be held on Thursday 20th June, and tickets will be on sale soon. This is such a lovely event and lots of fun – tickets sell out fast so keep an eye out for the launch. The club hopes to plan several events during the summer, which may take the form of family fun days, Sunday lunches in the sun, quizzes and kids rugby events, so please keep an eye on social media and in the clubhouse for updates. The position of Chair of Social Events will become available at the AGM and the club is looking for volunteers to fill this vital role and other volunteers to help with the organising and planning of social events, within a larger sub-group. These events are the lifeblood of the club and so much fun to be a part of. If you are interested in getting involved or attending any of the events, please ask any of the committee members, ask at the bar or keep an eye out at the club and on the website for details. Please contact Jan Kenworthy if you want to find out more about getting involved in social and fundraising side of the club. Jan_kenworthy@yahoo.com 0744606 9480

Sunday 24th was the last run out for this awesome bunch of lads. While the result didn’t go our way, the rugby on display was top notch, the commitment of the lads couldn’t be faulted. I can’t express how proud I am of them all. Regarding the Glossop lads within the team, I have shared with Andrew, the pleasure to be part of their lives for more than 10 years. Some of them I have know since they were 5 year olds and started playing at the club. They have trained on every blade of grass around Glossop. This team have travelled throughout the Northwest, through Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire to find fixtures on Sundays and we are very proud to say that we have never, not been able to put a team out. Out of the 15 Glossop lads 9 have already played Senior rugby and 2 more will do so and carry on doing so. This rugby may not all be at Glossop, depending on their personal travels and university etc, however it is with pride that we have started them on this fantastic journey in sport and friendship. Over the past 4 years, they have played in an NLD semi final, a Junior colt final as u16s with Dave and Graham, a Junior colt final, presented with a league fair play award, finished 2nd in the league and played in the Cheshire Bowl semi final, and league cup 1/4 final. While the silverware wasn’t present, I can assure you they always proudly represented the club and gave their all, they have shed blood, broken bones, torn ligaments, got stitched up, glued up, operated on or just gone down.... but always, always got back up to continue with fight. In short they are the future of Glossop RUFC and will hold the fort while the younger kids join them. I present you with the following brilliant team players: Dan Mellor Hayden Meigh Fraser Davies Oscar Lane Camron Anker Ross Baddeley Colman Leo Gradwell-Spencer Rowan Whitehead Ryan Broadhurst Will Thompson Joe Carney Josh Bailey Jack Robert Makepeace Joel Lioux Henry Higginbottom. None would have been possible without all the parents, grandparents and carer whom over the years travelled with them. A big thank you for your unconditional support. Thank you also to all the boys who have played over the years: Joe Dylan Owen Luke Jack D Wingy Sam Bish George Matt Anthony Harry Jack Jack L Thomas Alex Ellis Adam Ben Tom G Tom Kaden Alfie Greg On a personal note I would like to thank Sean, Bazz, Coz, Kelvin, Jonathan, John, Mark, Paul, Danny, George F and George H, Kit, Liam, Connor, Al, Dylan, Cole, Gabriel, Hannah, James, Kath and Gino, DT, Matteo and Louise. Thank you, Emmanuel Lioux

Work on the 3rd the pitch side shed is now complete, which means that the tackle bags and tackle doughnuts can now be securely stored pitch side. This means that now only the tackle shields need to be stored in the container. Over the summer we will try and make more improvements to a make the area around the sheds dryer and tidier. BPG the contractors who carry out the annual pitch maintenance works for us are going to donate two 12m long rolls of 3G type carpet to us, which we will probably use to create another technical area on the left hand side of pitch 1 and technical areas between pitches 1 and 2. We had planned to have started pre-annual pitch maintenance works by now, such as chain harrowing, however due to the terrible weather conditions that we have been experiencing the pitches have been too wet to enable us to do this. If the weather improves, we will try and get this work done before the end of April. We plan to start annual pitch maintenance works at the beginning of May. Set out below is our proposed schedule of works, and approximate timings and dates. As always progress will be weather dependant. ANNUAL PITCH MAINTENANCE WORKS 2024 1. GRUFC to scarify (chain harrow) both pitches prior to annual maintenance works commencing once a week if weather conditions permit. This helps to break up any organic matter, which helps to improve the germination of new seed 2. Prior to the commencement of overseeding, Vertidraining will be carried out to both pitches. This process forms 30mm diameter 450-500mm deep holes in the ground. This process helps to break up and aerate the upper layer of the pitches, helps to oxygenate the upper layer which aids grass growth, and improves drainage 3. Prior to the commencement of overseeding, Groundbreaker type treatment is to be carried out to both pitches. This will be done on a slight angle and helps to aerate the upper layer and improve the interface of the upper layer of the pitches with the sand slit drainage and lower land type drains. 4. Prior to the commencement of overseeding herbicide will be applied to both pitches. This kills the weeds that may be starting to try and establish themselves. This is done prior to overseeding so that the new and already established grass does not have to compete with the weeds for nutrients and water. 5. Contractor to commence annual maintenance works to both pitches Tuesday the 7th of May – see below for requirements and approx dates: • Overseed both pitches - 7th May • Additional overseeding to worn areas – 8th May • Once the seed is established apply fertiliser to both pitches – 28th May approx • Once the new grass is established apply fertiliser to both pitches – early/mid July • Once the new grass is established GRUFC to top dress/infill any areas of dishing or unevenness on a weekly basis – mid to late July approx • Vertidrain both pitches – mid September. • Apply slow-release fertilizer to both pitches – beginning of October Our plan is that pitch 2 will be released for use to the senior sections of the club in the first week in July, with M & Js being given access to pitch 2 from the first week in August. If necessary limited use of pitch 1 will also be available to the senior sections of the club from the first week of August. This is all dependant on how things progress and is therefore weather dependent. Information concerning proposed maintenance and improvement works to the club house and car park etc will be set out in our end of season update.

Firstly, I would like to offer my apologies for not being at the club for a large part of the season, but hopefully my health issues are now well behind me. Although not present at the club, I have been kept in the loop at all times by the committee on every aspect of club affairs and believe me they have been numerous. Many of these issues have been of a disciplinary nature and thankfully have now by and large been resolved. Fair to say that the start of the season saw a great number of our most experienced players leave or retire. This meant that even before the season started we were only able to run a first and third team. It must be said that Chippy and his coaching staff deserve much credit for getting out a first team every week except one. Many of the first team players this year, will have gained much experience and all bodes well for next season. I would like to acknowledge the tremendous amount of work that David Seaborn has put in as DOR especially in his success with the recruitment of players from Saddleworth Rangers RLC. It must be said that this joint venture promises to bear much fruit. The thirds on the other hand, have had a most successful season with games still to play for a top two finish in the league. Of course, we must not forget that they have also reached the final against Wirral to be played at Buxton RUFC 4 th May in the “Cotton Traders Cup Final” Huge thanks to Dan Taylor in his role as Captain and also on his appointment as Coach for the newly established partnership with Glossopdale School. The Amazones, who are now in a competitive league structure, found the going hard at times, but over the course of the season have improved immensely. They will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the future. My personal thanks goes to Lucy Williams for taking over the role of Chair of the Ladies Section. Her enthusiasm and dedication must be applauded. A huge thanks as always goes to the Coaches of the Minis and Juniors ably led by Hannah and with the numbers ever growing in that playing section in depth discussions will need to take place to ensure playing space for all of them. In the course of the season there have been meetings and an EGM to discuss best ways of moving forward. It was felt by the Committee that in view of the many changes and introduction of policies that the Club needs and requires additional volunteers to maintain an even keel. There is an urgent need for a greater and more efficient communication strategy. The season saw the departure of our Chair - Phil Haigh due to personal reasons. Without doubt Phil made a great contribution in many areas of the Club. The Club welcomed the introduction of Mixed Ability Rugby and with the additional funding from Sport England, this section can only succeed under the reliable guidance of Toby Colbourne. The partnership with Glossopdale School has now been realised with Dan Taylor appointed as Coach. This partnership is mutually beneficial to the Club and School and already a rugby pitch has been designated at the School. In addition, our former head Coach John Openshaw has agreed to mentor Dan in his new role. This Summer will see the return of Summer Camps organised by Rob Jones and Chas Wrigley with the assistance of Dan Taylor. The Sponsorship List grows from strength to strength and our thanks goes to them all for their support and to Jan and her team for putting all this together. In the customary way, the bar has been well looked after and this has largely been to the hard work of Louise and her team. The kitchen lost Becky in the course of the season but Hannah has taken over the reins for the remainder of the season and I am sure along with myself, the players and members, we give thanks to Matteo and Margaret for their continued support. This year’s AGM will be held on Wednesday 8 th May and the early date stated is to enable things to be in place as soon as possible and ensure plenty of time to have new procedures in place for next season. Throughout the season, the Club has maintained its position as a first- class host to travelling officials and supporters and I give massive thanks to the Blazerati team. This year saw 2 new recruits at the Friday Club, namely Ian Collier and Alan Briggs. The work carried out on a Friday ensures the Club is looking its very best for matchday. We are always looking for additional volunteers but for those that have helped this season, you know who you are, a huge thanks – you are unsung heroes! Finally, Thank you and Well Done to all the players Senior and Junior, to all the Coaches, to all the parents, to all members, not forgetting the Committee and sub Committees for all the support and commitment. I would like to convey to you all my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done and look forward to doing it all again next season. Pete Thompson President