chairmans corner

This season we have made a number of changes which we hope you will appreciate and will make your time at Grove all the more enjoyable.

We have started by re-vamping our fee structure and have scrapped match fees for players at all levels of the club. Along with a new family discount, playing at Grove has never been better value for money, and keeps us as one of the most reasonably priced clubs in the County.

We have also signed a new contract for shirts and kit with Raging Bull the official sportswear range from Phil Vickery. Along with a new shirt design for the 2007/8 season players can now order reasonably priced items either directly or through the club. We are also pleased to have secured sponsorship this year which will provide valuable support to our four senior teams. We also have match ball sponsors for all of our 1^st team home matches, which along with an attractive new scheme to encourage training should hopefully result in an improved performance in the leagues.

In the clubhouse there have been one or two minor improvements as well. The seating has been repaired and rearranged, whilst the projector and big screen have been replaced so that you can watch all your favourite games without having to squint. We've even fixed the pumps for those players who like to shower in hot water (weird!).

Finally, there's news about the new road which had threatened to run through our rugby pitches and clubhouse. The most recent announcement from Persimmons is that the preferred route is now the Denchworth Road, which means that Rugby should be secure at Cane Lane for a new more years to come; although we are still keen on finding more space to accommodate our ever expanding club.

Finally everything we do relies on volunteers who help run all aspects of the club. If therefore you feel able to help us in any way whatsoever, even down to making the tea or organising a game, please let a member of the committee know - no reasonable offers rejected.

We hope that you'll enjoy coming to Grove this year and for years to come and whether you're a player, supporter, volunteer, sponsor, coach or visitor you'll be sure of a warm welcome.

Simon Humberstone

Grove RFC Chairman