Chairman’s Letter

Fellow Member / Supporter,

I was honoured to be asked to be Chairman of this great club and was delighted and humbled to accept, my appointment beginning after the club AGM in June 2011. My predecessor Geoff Curran did a fantastic job and I see my role as ensuring the club remains where it belongs – at the top in Irish club rugby. We have a very hard working and dedicated Executive Committee who make my job a relatively easy one but we are always looking for additional volunteers to help out on the various sub committees.

Clontarf’s reputation as one of the country’s friendliest and most welcoming clubs is richly deserved and it is important that the social side of our club remains vibrant.

Our President John Glackin has already written to you about our great start to the season with both the first’s and second’s unbeaten in their respective leagues. In addition our mini and youth rugby sections under the guidance of Rory Ryan, is one of the most successful in Ireland, numbers are continuing to grow and we have currently more than 24 teams and 300 children playing rugby. My own introduction to the club was through the minis and I would encourage as many as you as possible to participate in club social activities as we need your support and it’s a great way of making new friends in the area.

The great success of Shane Harnett’s Tag Rugby initiative in the summer has brought lots of new recruits for the junior teams. We would encourage all junior players to get back to training as soon as possible in order to hit the ground running when the Leagues start.

Our marketing committee, under Willie Ball, is working very hard to ensure that we have sufficient funds to run the club and we hope you will support the many upcoming social events planned for the coming season. Our website is currently in the process of being revamped but you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter and Clontarf’s App, the first to be launched by a rugby club in Ireland, is available as a free download on iTunes.

We have decided to relaunch our monthly Members and Supporters draw which has been in existence for some years now. Participants can win a first prize of €1000 and a second prize of €250, the draw taking place after each of our home AIL matches. A unit costs only €15 per month, 3 units for €35, 7 units for €60 and 16 units for €120. The amounts to be paid by monthly standing order. As an added incentive each person who signs up for the draw before October 15^th will get a free ticket per unit applied for (valued at €10) for the “Your Club Your Country” IRFU grand draw with a fantastic array of prizes including a Volkswagen Polo and an opportunity to tour New Zealand with Ireland in 2012 (full details of prizes on http://www.irishrugby.ie/club/your_club_your_country.php

Please fill in the standing order form (click here to download form) and return it to the club office to ensure you get your free tickets in time to be entered in the draw.

Can I also take the opportunity to gently remind all members that subs were due on July 1^st and that the 7% discount on club cards in only available to fully paid up members.

You can pay your sub by cheque, standing order or by credit card / laser behind the bar or in the office.

To the vast majority of members who have paid, thank you, but please remember you risk having your card suspended if you have not paid your sub.

I look forward to seeing you at Castle Avenue during the current season and if you have any suggestions on how we can better serve our members then please do not hesitate to contact me.

With best regards

Brian Goff,

Chairman

bwg@indigo.ie

087 2570496

Dates for your diary!