Annual Report 2001

Source: AGM 29th November 2001, edited

 

PRESIDENT'S REVIEW

 

Season 2001 was very successful for the Club both on and off the field. The performance of our players together with the support of sponsors, voluntary workers and club followers was a powerful combination and we can all be very pleased with the results achieved.

More specific details are contained in the Treasurer's and Rugby reports, but 1 want to emphasise a few points. Our Honeywell sponsorship was a great boost to our funding base and a special thank you is extended to Jeremy Hearne who developed and implemented the sponsorship package. Through the generosity and support of one of our player members, Mark Pickard, Old Collegian's now has an enviable verandah facility, which has provided a great environment for supporters, (particularly our Crocs) and for Club functions.

The longer season, whilst stressful for players and coaches contributed to greater bar and canteen activity. Having our Junior teams playing more home games also assisted canteen performance.

The success of Rugby Clubs very much depends on having a group of hard working volunteers to carry out the essential tasks week after week, and often year after year. We never seem to have enough such people but the spirit at Old Collegians’ comes to the fore when things have to be achieved. I extend my appreciation and thanks to the small group who helped make things happen.

Old Collegians has built much of its on field success in the Senior grades from a supply of talented and well coached Junior players. It was notable that our Div 1 premiership team contained a group of recent club Junior players. It is also worth noting that we will need to provide more support for our Juniors, both in terms of boosting player numbers and providing coaches and managers, if we are going to keep the strong tradition alive.

In closing, I wish to thank my committee for their assistance in delivering much needed regular communication to our members, providing successful club functions, managing our finances and turning out well coached and managed teams. A special thank you is extended to Viv Fullager, who is standing down as Secretary. Apart from the regular secretarial and administrative work, Viv has driven our very successful Presentation Dinners.

Now that the end-of-season post-celebration headaches have subsided, we again face the reality of another rugby season only four months away. We achieved our goal in 2001 and planning will start now to do it all again and achieve even more in 2002

Ted Apted
President
23/11/01.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT
12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 2001

It is with real pleasure that I present this year's Treasurer's report for Old Collegians Rugby Football Club.

What a difference , in financial terms, it makes when you have winning teams on the park. The takings from the Grand Final night and the Presentation Dinner were outstanding. Once again, I would like to thank Ted Apted and Bob Stafford -Lee for their assistance during the year bearing in mind that I was away with the Crippled Crows for approx 5 weeks. Thanks also to Richard Waddicor for collecting the subs, whilst Andrea Apted (along with others) was instrumental in achieving a much improved return from the canteen. Let's not forget Kim Evans’ great effort with the Chinese New Year party. Special mention should be made of Jeremy Hearne's excellent work in securing sponsors without whom we would certainly struggle. All of the above contributed to a most successful financial year.

When comparing this year's figures with those of last year please bear in mind that last year's figures were for 13 months.

The profit for the year was $3952 after allowing for accelerated depreciation of $5362 on the buildings and $4318 on the plant & equipment .

The Operating Profit before depreciation was $13621 this year compared to $6976 for last year.

Major points from the accounts are as follows;

Bar Sales increased by $7338 or 11%
Bar profit increased by $7612 or 39%
Sponsorship was up by $9528
Merchandising sales were down by $3067
Canteen profit was up by $2438 or 268%

Movement in expense items include;
Junior Rugby Development of $3743
Reduction in coaches fees and courses
New account called Rugby Travel of $1889
Increase in Repairs & Maintenance of $5053 )

In the Balance Sheet we have reversed the $5000 sundry creditors thanks to the generosity of Mark Pickard in donating the cost of the verandah. Although trade creditors have increased by $5953 we have sufficient money in the bank to clear all of our debts.

Here's looking forward to 2002

I recommend that the Financial Statements for the year ending, 31st October 2001 be accepted.

D.G.HAZZARD
Treasurer
23/11/01

 

OLD COLLEGIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
REGISTRAR'S REPORT 15th October 2001

Subscription Collections - Seniors

SARU Registrations

 

First up congratulations to the 1s and the Crocs and all those who toiled away through the somewhat long year. It was a pleasure to watch!!

"No-Pay-No-Play" - is working very successfully, but wasn't overly productive in terms of the individual collections days - will need to re-emphasise and also look at additional strategies to make collections easier.

A satisfactory increase in registrations:- good input from the Juniors and an increase in players new to the club. Congratulations to Graham and Muzza for helping grow (and retain) our numbers at the social level (go those Crocs!!!), which flowed through to the 1st squad level. The women suffering a slight fall in numbers but recruited well over the year - probably the best of any women's team in the state.

Insurance rates will be going up next year, after the demise of HIH, this will have implications re Membership fees.

In 2002 ...

Continuation of the "No pay - No play" philosophy.
Look at the possibility of implementing a pay as you go policy - if required.
Pay over the bar - Cash, Cheque and Card.
Make sure you fill out the appropriate form and keep the receipt!!
Letters to go out over the summer to help boost the non playing membership.
More recruiting, more collections and more success!!

Web & e-mail

The club's web site has become an important means of communication - as a means of communication and especially in terms of making potential Adelaide residents aware of our club. We have already recruited players that discovered us via the web. Thanks go to Paul Home for his efforts in setting up and maintaining the web site.

e-mail - some 180+ members and associates now receive e-mail - email addresses that aren't maintained are becoming an issue. We don't want to know your email address if you don't use it regularly!

Try to avoid email accounts that have message size limitations - eg hotmail

Any change of contact, address or home, mobile phone contact etc - drop a note in the white box - let us know!!!.

Please note that the SARU now also has a web site ... http://sarugby.rugbynet.com.aulsarugb/p>

Regards
Richard Waddicor
Registrar, Old Collegians R.F.C.
Home: 83322609, Email: rnw@ihug.com.au

 

Rugby Report

Club Playing Strength

The Club had 153 registered players. Four senior teams were fielded during the 2001 season. They were 1sts, 2nds and 3rd Grade and the Womens' Team. The 1st and 3rd Grade teams were Minor Premiers in their grades and all teams made the finals. Both the 1st and 3rd Grade teams won their Grand Final, making it a great season for the Club.

Rugby Philosophy

The Club set out to continue the development of its open, fast attacking game backed up with strong teamwork in defensive play, that Rob had started in earlier seasons. The Club’s team approach had not been strong in earlier years and was thought to be caused by too many changes in weekly selections between Ist and 2nd Grade. (eg During 2000, 56 players had run-on with the 1st Grade). The Club decided to create a greater level of stability within the two senior teams, to both promote team identity and team work.

It was foreseen that if a more deliberate approach was taken to initial team selections, with the exception of injuries, that would allow a slower and more selective movement of players between the teams caused by changes to form. This proved to be the case. It allowed a better focus by the coaches and the players on what they wanted to achieve. The total number of run-on players playing for 1st Grade during the season reduced to 36. Within the 36, the club lost 6 players who moved interstate. Further, the Club provided between 4 and 6 of its top players to the State for the Australian Rugby Shield duties over a six-week period. The stability and the hard work that teamwork encouraged, brought us a premiership.

The Club still has to work on the team identity issue in the second grade, but the form of it was emerging towards the end of the season and we believe the Club is now moving in the right direction.

State Representation

The Club players selected for State duties with the Black Falcons were:
Sean Gough, Andrew Beare, Kini Tavui, Sam Reynolds, Richard Czeglik, Ben Suttell

The Club players selected for State duties to play in the Under 21 Competition were:
Christian Tedge, James Bradley, Andre Brummer, Mark Cross, Tim Williams

New and Not So New Players

As in past years, the Club gained some valuable players at the start of the season, mostly from interstate. Within Adelaide, we gained two players who changed from league to rugby and another two who changed their club. The Club also lost a 1st Grade player to another club.

The Club enjoyed a number of strong juniors coming into the senior ranks this year; 3 of whom went straight into 1st Grade. Also a strong group from the Under 18 team assisted by playing in the senior teams, including several as run-on reserves in the 1sts.

While there will be a number of good players coming through from the juniors next year and the year after, the prospects are not so good beyond that and points to a need for the club to put more effort into this area.

An initiative by some members of the Club, saw the club expand its 3rd Grade team base, by getting back many of the recent and not so recent 1st and 2nd Graders to form the Crocs. It kept good players in rugby in a social environment and in a grade that suited their commitments. However, the numbers were greater than expected and without a 4th Grade team, a very large number of these players were not able to play each week. The Club will need to look carefully at the viability of having a 4th Grade team during 2002.

Kicking

The season has demonstrated that the Club does not have a great depth in the area of goal kicking or line kicking. Both the 2ndGrade and the Womens' Team dropped out of the finals through a failure in the goal kicking area. In the premiership games there were some embarrassingly poor line kicks that caused real problems. The Club will be reinstating a kicking competition for 2002. The exact form has yet to be decided, but the Club will be seeking a kicking coach and the competition will run throughout the season to encourage greater involvement in this part of the game and to improve kicking skills.

Coaches and Team Management

After a period of uncertainty over coaches for the lower grades, the Club was able to appoint coaching staff for each of its teams. All coaches finished the season with their teams on a rising note. The difficulties in finding coaches at the start of the season, means the Club as a priority, needs to start to get new people interested in and qualified for coaching at the senior level. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Other Key People on the Rugby Side

Bob Stafford-Lee once again did an excellent task as a selector, ably supported by Ted Apted. Also Ted and Ken Waddle supported by Micky Finn when he was in town, provided a well prepared playing area for home games. It is worth noting that we lost the competition for the best presented club, only because we had failed to put up a rope on the far side.

The rugby side of the Club also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of Michael Low as the Club physio and Kate Denley as the sports medic. Both provided great support and a sense of confidence and well being to the teams.

Length of Season

The 2001 season with its final series, started in March and finished in October a total of 7 months, making it the longest club season on record in SA. It is also believed to be the longest for a single competition for any part of the world.

The decision on the length of season was an administrative one, geared to a wish by a small number of administrators to keep club bars open. The decision seemed to ignore the non-availability of playing fields at both ends of the season, the extremes of climate we get in this State, the health and well being of the players who are amateurs, or the commitments that many of the players have outside of rugby. Hopefully the message will have got through for next year.

Notwithstanding, we did have a great year at Old Collegians and rugby was certainly the winner.

Neil Bradley
Rugby Coordinator

 

OLD COLLEGIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB WOMEN'S XV REPORT 2001
16th October

Numbers were significantly down this year after an initial bout of retirements/injuries. However, a crop of new players was recruited during the year (approximately 7) and are showing great promise.

The results are not what we would have liked to have seen, with the team finishing 3rd. However, we peaked at the end of the season and were the only side who consistently had the numbers to scrum. We also beat the premiership team (Southern Suburbs) on several occasions throughout the year, and were the only team to do so.

As always, the forwards remain the strength of the team. Although there is talent in the back line, it will need refining in order for the team to reclaim the premiership.

Thanks to:

• Hamish Cranna for coaching the women's XV this year, against his better judgment! His work commitments meant he did not have time to spare for this role, and his sacrifice in that regard is warmly appreciated by the squad.

• Naomi Obersheit, who retired from playing due to injury but remained as a fitness coach.
  

• Ben Suttell, Richard Czeglik, Ben Brady, Jesse James and everyone else who helped with coaching during the year.

• Sandy, Tedgie, Stewie and everyone else who supported us, run water for us, etc.

• Bob Lightfoot for buying us beer.

Unfortunately, the women's competition in SA has been on a decline lately. Where there were once seven or eight teams of 15-a-side, this year reduced to four teams of 10-a-side (with some club's failing to field even 10). OC has proved that sufficient numbers of players is merely a matter of enthusiastic recruiting, and it is to be hoped that the womens’ competition will return to a 15-a-side competition in 2002.

With as many as 12 players who have only played for one or two years (or less) it is important that the womens’ team secures a committed coach prepared to take them in hand (so to speak). The skills are there, the commitment is there, the numbers are there.

 

OLD COLLEGIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
SOCIAL REPORT

16th October

This year's social calendar consisted of the following main events:

• Chinese New Year
• Semi-Formal Dinner at the Feathers
• St Patrick's Day
• Oakbank
• Crab Racing
• Wine & Jazz Night
• Quiz Night
• The Cryptic Car Rally
• Presentation Dinner
• Juniors' Presentation BBQ
• Christmas Drinks (December)

As previously, it was not the intention of the social committee to make a profit from these events, but rather to attract patronage to the club, and to encourage club spirit. However each night attracted a modest profit.

Thanks to all who helped throughout the year (and in particular Ginny Horne and Andy Apted for organizing the Cryptic Car Rally).

Thanks also to the various people (Andy, Viv, Melanie, Kim, Esme, Richie, Fiona, Tiana, Bec (all three of them), Imogen, Zoe etc etc etc who helped with Thursday/Saturday night dinners throughout the year.

 

OLD COLLEGIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
TREGENZA TIMES REPORT

16th October

General

We published seven editions between January and November. There was a gap of a couple of months in May/June due to personal issues. We have a circulation of about 300, approximately half of which are sent by email. The email and hard copy editions vary somewhat, due to the restrictions in sending large files by email. Each hard copy edition needs to be completely reformatted to allow for easy email distribution. Editions were longer this year than in the past, partly possible because of the cost savings in email.

Content

We believe that Tregenza Times has an important role in promoting club spirit and identity. For this reason, in addition to the usual results, rugby news and draws, we introduced new regular columns to cover the juniors and club gossip. We feel it is particularly important to bring the juniors and their results and news into the view of senior club supporters. Similarly, by containing reports about previous social events, vicious gossip and personal congratulations we hope that 'Scrumbag' added to the club's sense of unity and community.

We also strove to make this year's Tregenza Times as visually appealing as possible; in particular, we have tried to include photos where ever possible. In this, we are somewhat limited by the quality of print which we can afford! We also looked into the possibility of colour, but it is still far too costly. We managed a once off 'colour insert' in the November edition to commemorate the two premierships.

Thanks

In no particular order:

• to James Diack, for his truly excellent match reports. James was deservedly presented with the Canterbury Award for Special Achievement at the Presentation Dinner for his efforts with the Match Reports, and Tregenza Times would have been a much thinner publication without him!

• to Richard Waddicor for transmitting (and sometimes editing) the email editions, and providing and updating the database of recipients.

• to Mike Beresford at Posh Printing for sponsoring one edition, for his always helpful advice and guidance and for making every effort to ensure prompt and quality printing.
  

• to Paul Home for maintaining the club's website, from which Tregenza Times regularly pilfers!

• to everyone who helped fold, label, staple and post!

• to the First and Third Grades for giving us something exciting to write about!

Kim Evans
Editor, Tregenza Times