Introduction Mike Norris (President Essex County RFU)

It doesn’t seem five minutes ago that I was sharing last season’s Annual Report with you, and now here I am at the end of my two-year term as President.  As I said last year, there is still a lot of hard work in front of us, but I firmly believe we have made excellent progress in the County in this our third year as a Constituent Body of the RFU.

Our U14s, U15s, U16s, U17s and U18s have acquitted themselves admirably for the County his year, especially the U17 groups, with no less than three Essex teams going forward  to the divisional finals and South Woodham Ferrers meeting Amptill in the National U17’s Final at Worcester.  Unfortunately we had our hiccups with our U20s with a clash of Club and Daily Mail matches and we, as your elected officers, must take the full blame for this, but we turned it around in the last game against Herts when we fielded a far stronger team and the County were able to show what they could do with a full strength squad.  A big thank-you to those lads who were brought in at the deep end for the earlier games against Kent and the Army – they all played and conducted themselves well against one of the strongest U20 Kent squads I have seen in years, and an Army side which had been brought together specifically for the Championship matches.  Be assured that we have put measures in place to avoid this occurring next year and with many of this years U18’s and U19’s being available we should be able to give a better account of ourselves.

Last year I asked the club’s representatives to address the problem of the abuse the referees were taking, and it is evident that they have succeeded in getting the message across.  Thank you, on behalf of the referees, for your efforts.  I congratulate the Essex Referees Society under Alan Gold and it’s members for the commitment they have put in this season – thank you gentlemen.

Volunteers are a fundamental part of any club or Constituent Body for keeping continuity and advancement so, from the mums and dads who collect and wash the kits, the coaches and team managers, to the elected committee members of your own clubs, keep up the good work!  As we have done over the past two years, we are going to continue to reward those volunteers who tirelessly work, sometimes unrecognised, so if you are aware of anyone who has worked in this way, please let us know, as when we visit the clubs through the season we can present them with our Certificate of Achievement – Volunteers Award.

This year we see several members of the management committee standing down after giving us many years of their time and energy.  Tony Guest is standing down after 15 years as Chair of Competitions to return up north.  At the same time Alan Maddocks our Competitions Secretary is also standing down to give more commitment to his own club.   On behalf of the County I thank them both for their rich contribution.

Peter Howard also stands down at the end of this season as Chairman of the CBRDP.  Peter has overseen the transformation of youth rugby following the RFU’s Schools and Youth Rugby Review and I am pleased to say that Alan Stobbs a past president and manager of our Senior XV has agreed to take on this role.   To those managers and coaches who are standing down this season I say a big thank you for the work you have done and I wish you well in your return to club and school rugby.  With several new managers and a back up of a coaching team made up of coaches from clubs and schools, we hope to continue to foster and develop our young players to fulfil their full potential even further.

It would have been impossible for me as President to succeed in any way without the hard work and support of my Committee, and I whole-heartedly thank you gentlemen.  A very special thanks for the fantastic support and hard work of Ivor Smith, our Secretary.  Ivor also takes over in July as our Representative on the RFU Council from Mike Drinkwater.  Good luck to you Ivor.

Mike has been the Council representative for Eastern Counties and Essex for the past 15 years and I am pleased to say that we will not be loosing the services of Mike as he is taking over from myself as President next season, which once again shows his continuing commitment and effort for the County.  I would like to say a big thank you to Mike for the support he has given me over the last two years, and the way he has represented the County with integrity and always as the true gentlemen he is.  I am sure he will continue to take Essex from strength to strength.

Finally, I would like to thank all the clubs that invited myself and my wife Sharon to various matches and events last season.  I sincerely hope I can fulfil the rest of my obligations to get to the clubs I have missed next season.  I thank you all for electing me and allowing me the privilege of representing you as President for the past two years of this great County of Essex.

Mike Norris

Report by President Elect – Michael Drinkwater (Rochford Hundred RFC)

It has been another year of consolidation for the County and a realisation that we need to strengthen many areas of activity.  As far as cup and County matches go, we completed all our games and the host clubs did themselves credit.  We had to change a number of dates and selecting venues became quite difficult.

Bancroft hosted the President’s Shield final as well as the U15s and U16s finals and did an excellent job with such a large throughput.  Our thanks go to them.  The Colts final was well hosted by Southend and the senior cup final was played on Easter Sunday at Thurrock.  A large crowd was present which made us wonder if this might be a useful date for the future.

The Intermediate cup and U14s final were held at Eton Manor, who managed the day very successfully.

The two U17s games to rank the top four teams in Essex were held at Rochford Hundred who as usual provided excellent hospitality.  The only home senior County Championship match was held at Barking and we enjoyed a comfortable win against Buckinghamshire. The day was professionally organised by Barking and the U20’s County Championship matches were hosted by Southend and Thurrock. 

Our grateful thanks go to all the organisers, referees and clubs.  The referees, in particular, never let us down and I would like to thank Alan Gold for all his work.

The Annual Dinner is being held on 23rd June at the Orsett Hall Hotel and we hope to see all clubs represented.  Jeff Probyn is the guest speaker.

This is my final year as President Elect and I have enjoyed my two year stint.  My grateful thanks to hard working colleagues and a sad goodbye to Tony Guest, who has been in charge of competitions since 1989.  It is unfortunate that Allen Maddocks, the Competitions Secretary, has decided to leave as well.  My best wishes go to these two able volunteers.

Mike Drinkwater

RFU Representative – Mike Drinkwater

I joined the RFU Council in August, 1995 on the same week-end that the game went professional.  What a baptism!  There is no doubt that the game has developed and is still developing. The emphasis on the Community game  is having an effect but clubs still have problems with finding players so there is obviously more work to be done.

A long-term solution has to be found on the relationship between the Premiership clubs and the RFU.Player availability for the national teams and player burn-out are crucial areas which have not been resolved satisfactorily to this day.  By this autumn, the South Stand will be complete and Twickenham will be an 82,000 seater.  Ticket entitlements will go up!  The hotel, conference centre, hospitality areas and offices will be ready in the summer of 2007.

Conditional funding for clubs is to be abolished and all players’ insurance and public liability will be paid centrally by the RFU. Clubs will not receive any cash!  All clubs should have received an abbreviated version of the RFU Strategic Plan so you all should know where we are intending to go.

England travel to the World Cup next year as defending champions and we have a lot of work to do but do not write them off. The changes now being made could make a considerable difference to our performance.

This is my 15^th and final year on the RFU Council and it has been a privilege and a pleasure.  I wish Ivor Smith the best of luck as the new Essex representative and hope that he enjoys himself as much as I did.

Mike Drinkwater

Hon Treasurers Report – Eugene Walsh (Ilford Wanderers RFC)

Constituent Body Rugby Development Partnership (CBRDP) Peter Howard (Basildon RFC)

This is my final year as Chairman of the CBRDP and I am pleased to report that this year has been exceptional one for youth rugby in the County.   I am grateful for the support that has been given to me during my term as Chairman by the age grade managers, coaches and players and in particular I would like to thank the County Secretary Ivor Smith for his loyal support and without whose effort the County would have been so much the poorer.

All our managers and coaches have worked hard this year and it is to them that I must pass on the County’s congratulations for a job well done.  Many of them have club commitments as well as County commitments and they have all done a sterling job this season with the players in their respective age groups and their successes are reported upon in the paragraphs below.

Mini Midi Rugby – Dean Martin (Upminster RFC)

U13’s and U14’s Programme Manager – Barrie and Corrine Winwood (Braintree RFC)

The U13/U14 programme started off last year with over 150 boys attending the inaugural master class sessions at Coopers Coburn School.  The standard of the boys from clubs and schools was quite high and many difficult decisions had to be made to reduce the squad down to its appropriate size.  In the end the Essex County and Development Squad consisted of 48 players taken from Essex Clubs and schools. 

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the season one of our Coaches Heinrich Zimmerman was taken ill and was unable to continue.  Though this left the coaching staff short the management team of Corrine Winwood Admin, Barrie Winwood manager and coach Ian Dennis of Brentwood with James English of Coopers filling in when he could the County managed to fulfil its commitments for the season but it was hard work and the County is grateful for the support given to the squad by the parents and coaches at Braintree.  The coaching team has now been strengthened by the inclusion of Mark Taylor, Gary Savill and Ugo Nacaro with assistance from parents to look after the kit and other ancillary duties.

The squad is pleased to report the following results for this season:

London North Regional U14’s Festival.

County Squad

v Herts  won  10 - 5

Scored first but drop kicked the conversion before realising it was allowed to place kick. Let Herts back in the game from a poor re-start, nobody claimed the ball. Generally relaxed after scoring and before long it was 5 - 5. Second half Essex applied most of the pressure but Herts did have a few breaks of their own. With the game running into its final stages Sam Stanley took the play from open and outnumbered to the blindside and went on to score a brilliant individual try having started from outside the Herts 22.

v Middx  lost 5 - 0

Dominated territory and possession for the best part of the match. Did miss a few first up tackles, and sometimes got outnumbered in the backs, centres did not seem to be working well as a unit, too often out of alignment. Middx try came from the ball being moved to the wing where their fast man made ground down the touchline. Our defence adopted the England approach of backing off and allowing the opposition to keep going. Full back got a bit out of position and although recovered to make a great tap tackle it was too late to prevent the try. Individuals tried too hard after this when a bit more team play and composure would have got us back in the game.

v Suffolk  lost 5 - 0

Similar story to the floodlit county match. Dominance up front was often conceded through a bit of panic and individuals lack of composure, particularly after conceding a try from a bit of nervous play and a few missed tackles. The boys had got it into their heads, after the Middx defeat that this was a must win game which affected their game.

v Cambridge  won 14 - 0

Whilst Cambs put up a spirited performance and at times took the game to Essex it would not have been unfair if Essex had scored the extra 2 tries they were desperate for. A bit more luck and a bit more composure would have made the difference.

v Norfolk  won 28 - 0

A bit more relaxed for the final game. The score certainly did not flatter Essex and once again with a bit more luck would have had at least 1 more try. Some great individual efforts in the backs and a better pack performance as a unit made a difference.

Overall the County XV came 2^nd to Suffolk, so they know they were good enough to have won the tournament.  This is a particularly good squad who have gelled well over the seaon and it will be interesting to watch their progress as they move up to the U15’s age group next season

Development Squad:

v Herts  lost 26 - 0

Typical Development performance, dreadful first half followed by vastly improved 2^nd half. 19 -0 down at half time having leaked like a sieve in the centre they turned round and dominated the second half. Should have scored at least 1 try but were unlucky and ended up conceding a sucker punch try off the back of a Herts scrum just outside the Herts 22.

v  Middx  drew 5 - 5

Fantastic start resulted in a very early try, then sat back and let Middx play. Too many missed first up tackles kept them under pressure and the game finished with Middx dominating territory and possession.

v Suffolk  won 7 - 0

Played some good rugby and scored a great individual by Andrew Lewis from our own half, which was against the general run of play. Suffolk had a much bigger pack and completely dominated the lineout. However, a huge defensive effort on our own line late in the game earned a great victory.

v  Cambridge  lost 12 - 0

A very muted performance after the heroics of the previous game. Scrum firing or misfiring in equal measure, probably induced by general tiredness and a limited squad, could have done much better.

v Norfolk  won 7 - 5

Despite obvious tiredness in this game they put in a great effort to get in front and once again some huge defence at the death meant they got the result.

Overall this was a credible performance by the development squad to finish in fourth place.

Ian Dennis

U15’s

The squad this year has gone from strength to strength and the County is grateful for the management team of Graham Venn and his coaching team of Tim Redwood, Dom Fenton, Rich Nicoll, Eddie Gooby, Adrian Peters and our physio  for the work they have put in with this squad which produced such a good result at the Nation 10’s Festival at the end of April.

Though the County XV came upon a very strong Hants XV in their first match of the season the Development squad showed that there was also strength in depth at this age group with an excellent 10- 17 win and both teams won their matches against Sussex.  The match against Kent was surrounded by controversy after the match when it was discovered that Kent had switched their teams around.  This was unfortunate as the result is not a true reflection of the team’s ability.

In April, the team selected from the squad for the National 10’s competition showed how far Essex Rugby has gone in just a couple of years when the County came second having been beaten by Herts in a very close final.

Essex were 12-0 up thanks to tries from Nick Fraser but Hert’s Farrell and winger Jamie Hearn pulled them back into the match before replacements Victor Stairmond and Jake Bates took Herts clear. Sam Sutcliffe pulled a try back for Essex but it wasn’t enough for them to collect winner’s medals from their most famous Barking boy Jason Leonard OBE.

Manager Graham Venn was pleased with the boys performacne.  “In the build up to the matches we have seen over 280 boys from across the country and finally whittled the squad down to 16 boys for the National 10’s. They have done really well and though it’s disappointing that they did not win the final they can be proud of what they have achieved.”  Captain Tom Pryke added: “It’s great to get a medal from Jason Leonard - we enjoyed the whole weekend although we are disappointed to lose in the final.”

Leonard admitted he found it hard to remain impartial as he also watched boys from the County take part in the Development Festival Competition and was delighted when Essex shared the Cup along with Liverpool Academy.

“I was trying to remain impartial but it wasn’t working,” beamed Leonard. “This tournament just gets better every year and everybody you see is really enjoying themselves,” said Leonard. “I’ve see some great rugby today and I’m sure there are some England players of the future here.”

Liverpool and Essex played each other twice, in this part of the festival which is aimed at Inner city areas.  Both teams played each other twice in the final and as they won one apiece the trophy was shared.  Essex captain Billy Driver said: “It’s great to meet Jason and get a medal from him. It’s been a great team effort considering we have only had four or five training sessions together.”

Coach Martin White of Rokeby school and East London RFC saluted the players - drawn from Robert Clack, Royal Docks and Rokeby Schools - and his coaches Joel Seaton, Jack Hatton and Willy Scott, saying: “The boys have worked really hard this year - they are a well-knit unit and have really gelled.”

U16’s

Though the results of our U16’s matches at Inter County level were not startling, 7 boys were selected to take part in the London Divisional teams.  Following the divisional matches five boys were selected for the England Development Squad with Michael Stanley (Thurrock) and Alex Brown ( Fitzwymarc) being selected for the England team to play in a series of international matches against Wales, Italy and France.  Sam Sutcliff and Billy Smith were selected to represent England in the A squad and Matt Chambers captained the England B.  Congratulations to all five of these boys. their coaches, clubs, schools and parents.

U17’s, U18’s, U19’s, U20’s.

It will be fair to say that our organisation at this level did not start well at the beginning of the season.  Last minute changes in management meant that the training schedules had to be re-organised at short notice and despite adjusting the schedule our teams were not as prepared as they could have been.  The three age groups, U17, U18 and U20 met on Monday nights in group training nights at Thurrock RFC and were then separated into their respective age groups for coaching.  The joint evening’s appear to have been well received by players and coaches alike and we hope to extend this philosophy into next season.  This should also help to provide some continuity in our teams of players, coaches and management.

The management and coaching teams for next season are in place now and we should not be faced with a similar situation next season.

That being said our teams have performed magnificently.  The u17’s under their coach Simon Hoult have gelled into a very useful unit and will remain together for next season to play as our U18’s with many of them in the running for Divisional representation with the potential of joining the England Development squads.  There will however be the opportunity for any other boy whose coach believes they have the potential to be included in the squad. 

Unfortunately several boys in the County will be affected by the change made by the IRB and the RFU in the age qualification by changing the U18 qualifying date of birth at CB level from 1^st September to the 1^st January.  Those boys that miss out will however be eligible for the County U20’s team.

The U20’s this year were made up from a number of our Counties younger players,. With many of them having their first taste of County rugby and some playing a year young,  they were a credit to the County and their effort and commitment was second to none.  Many of these boys will be available for this coming season and having had a years experience behind them they should reap the benefits.  

The County Championship matches were dogged by unavailability of players due to other club and school commitments.  The biggest draw back was the clash between the U20’s fixtures and the East Midlands Colts Cup matches.  This issue has now been resolved and should not occur next season.  The unavailability of some of the first choice players meant that several other newcomers received the chance to wear a County shirt and none of them let us down.  Most notable performance in this age group was by our scrum half Reece Reid of Eton Manor whose ability caught the eyes of the London Division selectors and he was unlucky not to have been given the chance of further representative honours.

The county is grateful to the coaching team of Chris Green, Simon Hoult, Dave Catchpole, Simon Naseby, Gary Cook and to our Physios, Vic Bellamy and Ivan Loftman.

Sunday, 15 January 2006 

 EASTERN COUNTIES U20   Away W/O               ARMY U20  

 KENT U20                              85  -  0                     ESSEX U20  

Sunday, 29 January 2006 

 ARMY U20                             66  -  0                     ESSEX U20  

 HERTFORDSHIRE U20        14  -  21                   KENT U20 

Sunday, 12 February 2006 

 EASTERN COUNTIES U20   0  -  34                     KENT U20  

 ESSEX U20                            36  -  19                   HERTFORDSHIRE U20  

Sunday, 26 February 2006 

 HERTFORDSHIRE U20        10  -  41                   EASTERN COUNTIES U20  

 KENT U20                              13  -  32                   ARMY U20  

Sunday, 5 March 2006 

 ARMY U20                             Home W/O              HERTFORDSHIRE U20  

 ESSEX U20                            25  -  42                   EASTERN COUNTIES U20  

Other Representative Honours

Though they were not available for County matches it was pleasing to note that this season two of the Counties youngsters who are in the Saracens Academy made it into the England team at U19.  Adam Powell ( Romford & Gidea Park / Sawyers Hall School captained the England U19’s at the world cup in Dubai where he was also joined by Andy Saull (Woodford / Bancroft School) who was selected to play in the back row.  We wish them both continued success and look forward to seeing them in the Senior team.

Wanderers

This season the Wanderers side made up of players from Essex Clubs at level 5 and below got together to form the Wanders XV.  In their first match against Norfolk at Colchester …..

Senior XV

The Senior XV campaign saw an enforced change of emphasis from using players in our National Clubs to choosing players from their Second XV’s and from the London Divisional Sides.   Our first match against Buckinghamshire hosted at Barking RFC was an excellent win  and gave the County a good start.

In our second match Kent came out the stronger in the fist half of the match and built up a comfortable lead.  Though Essex came back in the second half there was too much ground to make up and Kent avenged their defeat of last season.  A similar tale followed in tour match against East Midlands where the 39 – 22 score line does not reflect the closeness of the match which East Midlands sealed with two late tries.

Our thanks to all the players who represented the County in these matches and to our management team of Alan Stobbs, Dave Creasy, Ged White, John Williams and Gary Smith.

Saturday, 29 April 2006 

EAST MIDLANDS                   38  -  35                   KENT  

ESSEX                                    26  -  9                     BUCKINGHAMSHIRE  

 Saturday, 6 May 2006 

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE             12  -  23                   EAST MIDLANDS  

KENT                                      25  -  7                     ESSEX  

 Saturday, 13 May 2006 

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE             21  -  72                   KENT  

EAST MIDLANDS                   39  -  22                   ESSEX  

RFUW

Christine Emerson took on the role of Chair of Essex County RFUW concentrating on the U14 and U17 age groups.  The development squads have acquitted themselves well with creditable performances at the Hertfordshire triangular festival, and on tour to Wales in February this year.  The girls also picked up an international fixture at U19s against Attila WRFC of Stockholm achieving a creditable win at Colchester.

Essex also had its first ever women’s Rugby International at U19 when Holly Le Grave of Basildon was selected for the England U19’s on their Tour to Canada in March.

Under Christine’s guidance women and girls rugby is taking off in Essex and her latest success was to take the RFUW National Sevens U17’s title with a team from Basildon RFC.

Schools

The CBRDP has now completed its second full year.  Mistakes made in the previous season were by and large remedied with the 16G; and a break down between the 17G and 18G Management at the beginning of the season led to a far from satisfactory result for that age group.

A number of practicing schoolmasters joined the management of the 16G; and with a combination of School and Club coaches a  mixed playing success was, however, outshone by the number of Essex schoolboys who represented London & SE Schools Division; five went on to represent the national development teams either at the Millfield Festival, Full and A level.

County Schools Competitions recorded record entry in all age groups with their final conclusion either on Schools Day at May & Baker RFC or on other occasions

.

In age group order:        

U13 The Alan Lewin Trophy – Winners St. Edwards S., Havering   

RU  Coopers Coborn, Havering

U14 The Mike Dargon Trophy – Winners Helena Romanes S., Gt.Dunmow

RU  King Edward VI GS., Chelmsford

U15 KO Chairman’s KO – Winners  Gt.Baddow S., Chelmsford

RU  Campion S., Hornchurch

U15 Shield KO – Winners Fitwimarc S, Rayleigh  RU  Notley HS., Colchester

U15 Sevens –    Winners  Campion S., Hornchurch           RU Roberts Clack CS, Dagenham

U15 Plate Sevens – King John S., Thundersley     RU Royal Docks S., Newham

U16 Sevens – Coopers Coborn S., Havering

U17 X Aside –  Campion S., Hornchurch              RU  Westcliff HS., Westcliff

The May & Baker Social club workers were their usual co-operative and friendly selves.  The whole day was highly successful.  Thanks recorded to Bill Coley and all committee members who attended and helped on the day; to Michael Eyres for arranging the match officials.

A number of individual schools reached the Daily Mail U18 semi finals only to make no further progress: Campion S. in the main KO and SEEVIC in the Vase competition.  Robert Clack CS reach the quarter final of the U15 competition.

Thanks recorded to all who attended committee meetings; Coopers Co School, Campion School, Braintree RFC, Brentwood RFC for hosting our events.  To the Essex Society of Referees for officiating at our tournament finals.

Bob Whittle

Coaching

The one area where the County needs to review its procedures is in coaching.   There are lots of areas where the County can improve on its service to the County’s Club and School coaches.  A new procedure introduced at the beginning of the season by the RFU brought in First 4 Sport as a professional body to deliver coaching courses.  Our courses and administration were still administered outside the county and this has led to a breakdown in communications and the personal development of our School. Club and County coaches. 

In January 2006 Nick Scott took over the role of Coach Development officer for Essex but he does not just have our area South East.  The RFU have now reviewed the deployment of their Coach Development Officers and with additional staff being employed just to improve the standard of coaching and support our coaches should start noticing a difference during next season is the way continuing personal coach education is administered by the RFU in the CB’s.

Vital to this course is the introduction and appointment of Club and School Coach co-ordinators.  At our Clubs conference and AGM there will be a special item on this topic which will outline the improvements and programmes being developed by the RFU.

Welfare Report

Awareness of the importance of welfare issues within the rugby community continues to make progress.  This has been evidenced by the significant increase in the number of CRB applications carried out for coaches and all coaching support personnel within the past 12 months.  The majority of clubs now have a Welfare Officer in place and they are to be congratulated for the work they are doing in this role.  There are a few exceptions and this position is being addressed.  All persons who have a position of responsibility or supervision of young persons must be checked with the CRB.

There have been a number of incidents reported of unacceptable behaviour both on and off the pitch.  Essex treats these issues very seriously and through its welfare structure has put in place procedures to ensure good practice codes will be adopted by all clubs to assist in the prevention of the reoccurrence of such incidents.

The welfare of our young players both boys and girls is paramount.  We are committed to ensure that they are able to play Rugby in a safe environment where the emphasis for them is on FUN.  The continuum was brought in by the RFU to ensure that this ethos is prevailed.  In the main, our clubs do follow the continuum but in a few cases coaches need to be reminded of the regulations and rules in relation to our young players.  In any cases of doubt I am always available to advise.

The progress of clubs in these important area, will be monitored throughout next season to ensure that both the reputation of our clubs and the promotion of the game of rugby, as an inclusive and safe sport, is assured.

Bea Bard

Welfare Manager

Registration

The introduction this season of Trafalgar the RFU  players database has improved the speed at which players can be registered and checks made.  In Essex we now have over 8,000 young people registered by 28 clubs who are now running youth sections.  The increase this year has been in the mini midi sections with both boys and girls being registered as well as a new youth sections being started in clubs.

Competitions Report 2005/6

The competitions season was completed with the usual number of small problems, mainly withdrawals. If a club cannot be bothered to fulfil competition matches, why do they enter in the first place?  Clubs which failed to play their Essex Cup matches will be given away draws in the first rounds next season.

The Essex finals were well attended and a good point was that for most events gate revenue was much improved. This was due to the host clubs making a better effort. Thank you to all the clubs which hosted Essex Finals this season.  All the competition winners are listed elsewhere.

The standard of Essex rugby can be illustrated by the performance of clubs U17 sides. Three of the four regional finals had Essex clubs participating with South Woodham Ferrers reaching their National final and Westcliff reaching their National Semi-final..

At U19 level many Essex clubs entered the National Cup which is run by the East Midlands RFU. Rochford Hundred Colts reaching the Final of the plate competition.

In the leagues, Essex clubs were Champions of 

London 3NW (Woodford),

London 3NE(Eton Manor) and

London 4NE(Braintree).

The Essex League Champions were

Upminster (Essex 1),

Writtle Wanderers (Essex 2) and

Old Cooperians (Essex 3).

Also promoted were Colchester (London 4 NE), Canvey Island (Essex1 – play-off winners against Mersea Island), Dagenham (Essex 2) and Pegasus-Palmerians(Essex 3).   Some of these promoted clubs achieved remarkable turnarounds in fortune following recent relegations. This is another sign of the health of Rugby in Essex.

We must not forget the referees.  Despite recruitment difficulties the Essex Society have maintained a committed group of officials without whom we would not have games in the first place.

When I joined the Essex Committee many years ago I had to administer the Senior Cup, Colts Cup and two Sevens competitions. The County now run five adult cup competitions and five youth cup competitions, not to mention a number of one day festivals for the younger age groups. Since the County became a Constituent Body organisation of the Essex leagues has been added to the work load.   Next season will see Essex Youth leagues at U14 and U17 levels

I am standing down from the position of Chairman of Competitions and I hope that my successor will be able to gather a group of enthusiastic persons to help with the increased administrative demands.  In this vein, I would like to thank the hardworking members of the Competitions Committee especially Allen Maddocks who has been of tremendous help over the past two seasons and who regrettably is also standing down to give more time to his own club, Harlow.

Tony Guest

Referees

The number of cases of referee abuse was down this year, mainly because two clubs – the main culprits from last year - have worked hard with their coaches and spectators – well done to them. On the other hand the number of red cards issued this past season has increased even though the penalties the offenders are receiving have on average doubled in the length of their playing exclusion.

Despite a couple of referees leaving us this season we have recruited 8 new refs – some of whom have started their whistling career in the middle. This gives us a total of 55 referees. We still need more referees however as we still average 4 matches a week where we cannot supply a referee. Although if it wasn’t for injury or non availability we would be in a happy situation as there are about 20 matches per week we have to provide for.

The season saw a significant decrease in the number of matches scheduled, with initial requests for 805 referees. The main reason for the decrease was the departure of 4 clubs to the London society.

Although there were fewer matches to cover, a reduction in the number of referees available each week resulted in the society being unable to supply referees for an average of 4 matches per week, with a maximum of 9 on one Saturday. As in previous years, a large number referees have been unavailable each week, due to injury, work or other commitments and this has lead to significant re-appointments. Thanks should go to Eric McLaughlan and David Locke for their hard work in re-appointments.

The other important recruitment need is advisors. It is all well and good recruiting new refs but we need advisors, both weekend and midweek to help take them onwards and upwards. Three referees however have been recommended to level 8 consideration with Eastern Counties.

The committee sat down a few weeks ago and has completed developing a long term strategy for our future. This plan is in regard of recruitment, retention and training. This will be implemented both before and during next season.

It was disappointing this year with the number of refs attending the training meetings, hopefully by making them more interesting and with more quest speakers we can improve from the average 50% numbers.

We also had great problems in getting refs out on Sundays to cover cup matches. 142 Essex cup matches were covered during the season, by just a handful of refs – my thanks go to you all.

Lastly I wish to thank the committee, Brentwood RFC and in particular John Roberts for all the support they have given the referee society again this season.

Alan Gold

Hon Sec

Essex Referees Society

Discipline

Discipline this season can only be described as a curate’s egg (some good, some bad).  The changes introduced by IRB at the start of the season caused many to say that discipline lacked consistency.  But this was not the case.  The guide lines my Committee and I have to work to are set in stone and have to take into account numerous mitigating and aggravating factors when making a judgement.

The start of the season began with an enormous amount of work for us on Discipline.  Throughout the season, cases involving youth and their parents reached unacceptable levels.  One plus that emerged from this was that Clubs “bit the bullet” and after consultation with us, dealt in-house with those involving parents, so much so that parents have been suspended for life by several Clubs.

On the senior side, it still seems that some players cannot accept refereeing decisions and often think they know best and abuse referees.  They must remember that referees are the sole judge of fact within the playing enclosure and under no circumstances should they be subjected to abuse.  I urge all coaches and senior players to advise their teams that without the referee’s participation in the game, there would be no game!

Finally, my last gripe must be the act of retaliation.  As a former player I know what it is like to be punched, kicked or trodden on, accidentally and intentionally.  Retaliation sometimes seems an acceptable form of defence, but I can assure you that it is not, and will be dealt with accordingly. Regrettable, retaliation this year has caused many cases of multiple dismissals and I am sure everyone would agree that this is a sad indictment on our game.  So, let referees do their job and hope we can put the bad parts of the “egg” behind us, reflect and carry on with the good work next season.

In closing, I would like to thank my Committee, Simon Wakefield, Martin Farrow, Lawrence Crispin and not forgetting Denise who administers all our paperwork, Chris Rogers and Alan Gold for their refereeing help and to the Essex Committee for their support.

Gerry Mansfield

Chairman of Discipline

Club Development and Community Rugby – Chris Dyer

The year began with the Club’s Conference on the 3^rd July, and the main thrust of the RFU “Impact” strategy for the development of community rugby in Essex was covered by a strong RFU team of Alan Black, [Club Development] Carole Thelwall-Jones [Volunteers] and Dave Stubley [Funding and Finance]

In Essex, our priority over the past season has been to support these initiatives as and when they are appropriate to our clubs in a effort to ensure that our club structures both physical and management meet the increasing playing demands that we are experiencing in the County, particularly from youth rugby.

Once again, we have been “demand driven” but our objective remains to endeavour to be more pro-active with our clubs.

Over the past season our focus has been on the following areas: -

Facilities Management.

Our first overall review of club facilities within the County, with a strategic overview was completed last season.  This year it has been maintained as a “live” document with amendments as and when we have become aware of club’s development plans.

This was reviewed at an informal meeting with Rick Bruin, the RFU’s new Funding and Facilities Executive for this region.

To improve both the credibility and impact of this document we would urge clubs to keep the County advised on their plans both immediate and long term.

Funding and Finance.

This continues to be the area that we have been most deeply involved and has taken up the greatest resource in terms of time.

Over the past season, we have worked with some 17 clubs, on various issues over their future development, most but not all, concerned with funding.

§         4 concern major ground moves.

§         2 concern review /audit relating to funding in the previous year.

§         2 were notable for our first major successes with the exchequer funded SportsMatch scheme.

§         1 was a major success with significant CCDP funding towards the building of a new clubhouse.

§         4 were schemes were for Rugby Football Foundation funding.

§         4 concerned significant future clubhouse developments.

The County would like to record their thanks for the excellent professional; and committed support from the RFU funding and facilities executives. Initially Dave Stubley until he passed the reins over to Rick Bruin later in the season.

RU ready for RU

Essex and the RFU are most anxious to put all the support they can to ensuring that players are not lost to rugby and that the adult game continues to grow.

Critical to this, is support for clubs who may be struggling on a week-to-week basis to field a regular team.

The RFU have a “road show” to address this issue of recruitment and sustainability. Last year we felt it might be useful to run this for Essex clubs who might be in need of such help but there was insufficient support to justify organising it.

 If just one or two clubs feel this initiative would be useful for the coming season we will arrange it.

Volunteers

As everybody knows the recruitment of volunteers and support for the hundreds who are already working for rugby in the County is critical for the development of the game.

The County has already begun a scheme to recognise this effort in our clubs that will be formally launched at this year’s annual conference for full implementation next season

Hon Secretary’s report – Ivor ~Smith (Upminster RFC)

The task of being your Hon Secretary has become easier over the year especially through the use of electronic mail.  With all club secretaries on e-mail communicating with the clubs and schools has become less arduous with the need to copy and then pop everything into an envelope now becoming a rarity rather than the norm.   The level of response to requests for information has on most occasions been 100% and I am grateful for the co-operation and support I have received from all our club Hon Secretaries.  To all those who are remaining in post and those who have stood down at the end of this season I would like to say thank you.

The office has now become an established focal point for all manner of enquiries not only from club administrators and the RFU, but from coaches, players, schools, members of the public and other sport orientated organisations.  It is still very much a learning curve but the curve is beginning to be less steep and we are now able to provide an improved service to our clubs, schools and members.  Next season I will be pleased to see John Duncombe the former Secretary of Westcliff RFC join me as assistant Secretary with special responsibility of ensuring our legal affairs are in order whilst at the same time providing the County with a succession plan for this important County Role.

Overseas Tours

This year has seen an increase in the number of our clubs touring overseas to such places as Spain, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Greece, Czechoslovakia, South Africa and the USA.  Whilst most clubs are aware of the need to obtain permission to tour overseas from the RFU through the CB, there were a few instances of last minute panic this year when several tours where put in jeopardy due to a lack of permission.  Permission to tour overseas must be applied for at least three months in advance and clubs must be aware that the RFU could well tighten up on this in the future.  It is a simple process and the forms required are readily available from the RFU web site as well as our own site at www.essexrugby. com

Membership

We received one application during the season to join the Union and that was from East Anglia Barbarians, a social Wednesday side made up of employees from Network Rail SE.  It was sad this season to see the departing of one of our oldest clubs, Old Edwardians, despite trying to put out a regular side last season a decision was made during the summer that the club would fold.

Whereas our schools  and youth sections appear to be strong several clubs have lost a team this season and that is giving rise to concern.  It would appear that there are many youngsters in the game but where do they go to when they stop being youngsters.  University, further education, back packing, work and other distractions appear to be part of the reason especially in the 17 – 24 age groups.  The County will be trying to help clubs to retain these age groups and seek better ways to keep in touch with those youngsters who leave the area to attend Universities and colleges, or even come into the area seeking clubs to play for.

We are now about to enter our fourth year as a Constituent Body having separated from Eastern Counties on the 13^th July 2003.  The fears of others outside the County have not been realised and the County has moved on from strength to strength not only in its playing ability but in its organisation and administration.

What is interesting is the development of girls and women’s rugby in the county and this is now becoming a growth area in the game which will need to be catered for and could well help some clubs increase their membership.  In recognition of this we have now set up an Essex County RFUW within the CBRDP to assist with the proper development of this section.

Visits to clubs and schools are an important aspect of being a member of the committee and over the past four years I have now been able to visit most of our clubs in the County, either with the president or with another member of our management committee.  These visits provide the committee with an important link to the membership.  It is our intention to keep up these visits and next seasons’ diary is already open.

This report gives you an overview of what the County has done over the past yeqr.  None of this takes place without a great deal of work behind the scenes of our Very Valued Volunteers.  Volunteering to help out with the County can be either a short or long term commitment and as you can will have read a number of key persons are moving on this year.  Succession planning is vital in ensuring that the transition for one season to the nest is transparent to our members, players, clubs, schools, supporters and patrons.

Many of our volunteers also have commitments with their clubs and we are trying to ensure that no task in the county becomes too onerous on their time.  If any one is interested in becoming involved all they have to do is give me a ring at the county office on 01708 500563.

Lastly and now means least I take over from Mike Drinkwater as your representative on the RFU Council.  Mike has spent 15 years working for the County and I am grateful for the support he has given me in my role as your Hon Secretary and the support he will give me as I take on this new venture.  It is an honour to be your representative and though Mike will be a hard act to follow I will endeavour to continue to ensure that Essex is recognised as a valued participant in the development of grassroots rugby.

Ivor Smith

Hon Secretary