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Dear Ennis RFC Member,

To begin I’d like to sincerely thank you for joining or renewing your membership with Ennis RFC. This is a core source of funding in addition to our weekly split the pot draw, we would be grateful were you to join via the link;

https://www.ennisrfc.ie/50-50-draw/ . We have distributed over €22000 in prize money to date with an average weekly winner of over €200 for a €2 outlay. Alternatively you can also participate in any of the pubs below;

Cruises,Dan O’Connell’s, The Diamond Bar,Quinn’s, Moroney’s, Patrick’s and PJ Kelly’s.

We are very fortunate to be able to reflect on a season where Ennis RFC have had age grade representation on every Munster Development squad, male and female, in addition to seeing a number of former players representing Munster at adult level in both men and women’s rugby. On the subject of women’s rugby we are looking forward to fielding an adult women’s team for the first time in well over two decades. If you are aware of anyone wishing to play adult grade women’s rugby we’d be grateful were you to put them in touch with Gareth O’Hanlon (083)8315648 or Lortchan Hoyne (087)6492026 .Our development of the women’s game is one of the real highlights of recent years, I wish them every success at every grade.

In further positive developments we continue to see significant successes for our 18′ boys (League and Cup winners) with our 16’s boys reaching the Pan Munster final at the end of last season. Our senior men’s team advanced to the quarter finals of the Munster Junior Cup, an achievement not attained in decades.That group recently returned from a tour of Wales where they represented Ennis RFC with distinction. I was also heartened to hear of the success of last years under 12’s who emerged winners of a tournament in Willow Park, Blackrock attended by a large number of clubs from throughout the country. This bodes well for the future in age grade rugby.

One of the more enjoyable experiences for me last year was to see the work and progress being made in the minis section (under 8’s-12’s). It is a credit to all of the coaches at those grades to see younger players having fun, developing and learning new skills and codes of behaviour. On the subject of codes of behaviour, as an active referee and club member I am obliged to remind all members that there are obligations in this regard that apply to all members of the club ie; coaches,players or supporters.

Please be mindful of the fact that everyone involved in our game is doing so voluntarily, be respectful of all parties and show encouragement and appreciation for good play as well as tolerance and empathy for when decisions or incidents do not meet with your approval. Rugby is a game based on mutual respect, it is imperative on all parties that the ethos is maintained.

On the subject of volunteering we, like every other organisation, continue to be challenged in filling roles both on the coaching and administrative side of things. There are many roles that do not involve or require a background in rugby, I would be grateful were any of you able to find a little time in your week to support us in this regard. Feel free to contact me (presennisrfc@gmail.com) or secennisrfc@gmail.com if you would be in a position to assist. Alternatively please engage with the coach of your child’s group to offer assistance in any way you can. In light of the lack of volunteers we have decided to do up a rota for manning the club shop for the coming season (attached). This will require 4-6 people over two weekends of the coming season to operate the club shop providing teas,coffees, drinks etc to parents and visitors as well as promoting the sale of our split the pot envelopes to secure vitally needed funds. For those with a long standing association with Ennis RFC we are seeking volunteers to assist in organising events to mark our centenary in 2023, Kevin Cleary (0869)8054399 would be grateful for any input or assistance you might provide.

To mark our centenary we are looking to travel to Rugby Clug Dignois (https://r-c-digne.ffr.fr/) to compete in an adult amateur rugby world cup next Autumn, we’d be grateful for any support you might provide.

Another matter I’m obliged to highlight is the fact that our insurance cover with the IRFU is for serious, catastrophic injury only. Unfortunately that does not extend to x ray costs, physio, doctors bills etc. It is recommended that all players should have their own personal health cover however, in the case of youths it is worthwhile investigating the scope of cover provided by the school your child attends. I understand there is a level of cover there that applies after school hours however it is incumbent on every individual to investigate.

Finally I’d like to take the opportunity to wish all our teams a successful upcoming season, to thank you for your support and understanding and to wish you and your families health and happiness in the coming months.

Yours in sport,

Dermot Hallahan

President Ennis RFC

0860227211