SIX NATIONS MATCHES AT TWICKENHAM 2017-2018

ENGLAND v WALES  SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018 ko 1645hrs

Tickets available at £105, 96, 88, 79 , 65 , 41.   Cheques payable Westcliff RFC Ltd or by transfer to the Club Account 00696399 sort code 30-94-26.   Final closing date for applications Saturday 23 September 2017.

Contact nick.crowe@seevic-college.ac.uk

Essex Cup – 26th of August

With the ever increasing success and interest in league rugby over recent years the profile of the Essex Senior Cup has waned. Although the junior cup competitions continue to be well supported the premier competition has suffered with the county’s top clubs generally committed to league campaigns often with promotion battles firmly in their sights as the season draws to a climax. It’s apparent that the distraction of a cup competition at this point is unwelcome and participation has dwindled significantly.

In an effort to address this, the county cup committee has both considered and consulted on how the competition might be reinvigorated. A few administrative tweeks have been made but importantly the cup final will in future be played at the start of the next season as part of the pre-season program and the rounds played at an earlier stage so that the season run in for all participating clubs will be distraction free.

On Saturday 26th of August by virtue of the toss of a coin, Westcliff will host the first such final against Southend RFC.  The clubs have mutually agreed that the game will be played between the clubs second XVs The Lions and The Priors. Competition between these two well matched sides has been regular and intense in recent seasons with each side enjoying success at times and disappointment at others. It’s anticipated the final will be no different and a fine advert for local rugby between the county’s two highest ranked sides.

Changes to The Executive Committee

At this year’s AGM, held on the 12th of July, the Executive Committee members were elected.
John Pacey continues as President. Our Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary remain the same with Pete Jones, Nigel Roskams and Marcus “Monty” Peters respectively continuing their roles. Chris Whiston, James Evans and Darren Morrant remain on the board and we welcome Ty Harris and Peter Mahoney. We say goodbye to Will Hill and Lewis Harvey and thank them for their service.

Club Relocation Update

As club chairman, it is very pleasing to report that the clubhouse relocation project is making good progress as many of you heard first hand from Bob Smith and Chris Bard at the update prior to the AGM. Members will have seen the first phase of the new business park spine road has now been constructed. This road will provide access to the new clubhouse location. The next major activity is the laying of the utility services and these should be completed by the end of the year.

Our new pitch area has already been seeded and looks fantastic (below), and the new grass is well established. Planning consent for the construction of the new clubhouse was finally obtained from Rochford District Council on the 15th of June and the main construction contractor for the new clubhouse has been selected by the site developer.

It is expected that the build programme for the new clubhouse and car parks will take 47 weeks and the contractor is expected to start in early September. The new clubhouse should be operational for the beginning of the 2018/19 season and the finer details of the new clubhouse design are close to being decided. Final proposed details of the interior will be made available for members shortly.

Three key legal agreements are needed with Southend Borough Council; a new clubhouse lease agreement, a new pitch license and an over-arching relocation agreement. These agreements are already well progressed and discussions continue daily.

To safeguard the long-term security of tenure for Westcliff Rugby Club, I have been decided to extend the clubhouse lease back to a duration of 60 years. The associated lease extension of 30 years needs to be purchased from Southend Borough Council and the cost for this has been established as around £65,000. A club fundraising campaign will be undertaken during the coming months to help raise the necessary funds and it is hoped that members from all areas of the club will make donations.

These are exciting times for Westcliff Rugby Club, we will soon have the best rugby playing facilities in the region and a fabulous new larger clubhouse will allow the club’s playing membership to grow even larger.

Pete Jones and the Steering Committee

League Fixtures for Diary

First League game (Away vs Dorking) – Saturday 2nd September
WRFC Vs Southend Saxons (Home) – Saturday 9th September (Email Hayley Pacey to book lunch)
WRFC Vs Southend Saxons (Away) – Saturday 16th December

CALLING ALL PLAYERS – Bulldogs Touch and Training

WRFC Club Shop

We need volunteers to run the WRFC Shop on Sundays during the rugby season.  If we have a small team the commitment can be shared.  Please contact Pete Jones Club Chairman if you are interested on 07968 970690