SEASON 2006/7 YOUTH CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
MARTIN BROOME

                                                                                                                                                

This season has been one of the most successful on and off the field. We as a club after long and sometimes painful effort have been awarded the RFU Seal of Approval. What does this mean??. It means that BRFC are recognised by the RFU in having all of its mini and youth house in order, as far as the safety and welfare of all the players, to all the coaches being properly trained, the clubhouse a safe environment for the children, and a overall system that meets all Sussex and RFU approval. This is a on going award and a live document which will now be updated season by season so that BRFC maintain the high levels of excellence to be able to maintain this prestigious award.

On the field FANTASTIC , the 7,s having progressed beyond belief, culminating in a excellent Cup win at the TTD festival, the under 8,s under the guidance of Mark and his team progressing into a tight little unit, the under 9,s under Mr Mead Jnr and his band of willing men taking the team forward and increasing the numbers, the 10,s under John and Andy ( The Chuckle Brothers ) turning over a lot of local teams and also reaching a very good final at the festival, the 11,s under Colin and Billy ( the Chuckle Bros II ) Colin only just has stopped wearing that Chi jacket and invested in a BRFC cardigan!!. And last but by no means least in the mini,s the 12,s, run by Shaz and Ian have come on leaps and bounds through the season and have played in some very good games, well done all…          

The youth sides this season have been exceptionally good in their leagues, the 13,s have held their own against some very talented teams, and I have watched them grow in stature and in numbers, the 14,s have played all their league games and have finished a credible 2nd well done Dave and your crew, the 15,s have increased in numbers, on game days turn out a fantastically enthusiastic side and have surprised some of the bigger clubs, they finished 2nd also in a rather depleted league, but this takes nothing away from the boys, the 16,s have as you probably know have had a extraordinary season winning the under 16 B league unbeaten, with the last game of the season at home to the 2nd place side and a large support the boys spanked the opposition out of sight and nearly made TJ,s smile bigger than his face, Well done TJ and the Boys!, to my knowledge the first time any BRFC team has put in a unbeaten campaign.

The festival was again an enormous hit with thank you’s raining in from all parts of the UK. My thank you goes out to all those that worked themselves almost to a standstill again to make these 2 days what they are… Bloody Marvellous…

Changes in personnel this year are as follows, I will be standing down as Youth Chair and Sharon Hodgetts will take over, with Rob Parry as her Vice Chair.

In the mini section Lisa Molyneaux will be Mini Chair with Colin Christie as Vice Chair. I will be starting my new role as Club Coaching Coordinator , this involves keeping the Seal of Approval up to date and a point of contact between our club and the Sussex and main RFU.  After great persuasion Sarah Jane, Jaz, and Vanessa have all agreed to carry on with the same roles. ( Thank You big time ladies ).

For next season I ask you to support your child, coach, and club, if you feel you need to get more involved please don’t be shy, come and have a go.

Yours in Rugby.

Martin Broome.