This Evening should have seen the “Lowestoft & Yarmouth Rugby Club Annual General Meeting”. A chance for you to have your say and stand as or help elect officers of the Club for the 2020/21 Season. Unfortunately, with the current social isolating rules we are unable to hold the meeting.

Part of the evening usually includes the “President’s Address”, I know many of you look forward to hearing this. So, to avoid disappointment I have decided to get a version posted on the Clubs web and Facebook page.

It is with great honour and pride that I continue as President of Lowestoft & Yarmouth Rugby Football Club for the 2020/21 Season (whatever its going to look like). Hopefully we will get through this difficult and challenging time soon but I don’t believe that Rugby in the future will ever be the same. What I do believe though, is that the members of the Lowestoft & Yarmouth Club will, whatever future Community Rugby looks like, make it work for us and Rugby will continue to be played at Gunton Park.

Looking back the 2019/20 Season it had a number of highlights. For me these include:

• The season started with the return of the Summer Ball with a celebration of the Club being established 140 years ago and 65 years of us being based at Gunton Park. As usual it was a great night as some sore heads the next day can testify.
• The Mini’s Festivals the Club has been involved with both at Gunton Park (October) and at other Clubs have been great fun making a good season for the Minis. L&Y’s Festival was a success due to all the hard work and commitment put in by Club Volunteers and good to see so many boys and girls enjoying rugby.
• November saw England in the “Rugby World Cup Final” although it was a shame they didn’t win. The Club held a “Volunteer Thank You Breakfast” for all Club Officers, Coaches and Volunteers with the Club House open to all. We had over 120 people attend and served 70 Full English breakfasts and numerous bacon and sausage rolls. Well done to Yvonne and everyone who helped.
• The “Fireworks Extravaganza” was the biggest Fireworks Display at Gunton Park for over 20 years. It was an evening of entertainment, topped off with one of the best Firework Displays Lowestoft had ever seen. Over 2,300 people attended with the Club receiving lots of positive feedback. Congratulations must go to Steve Tomlinson and his Sub-Committee for organising the event and all the Club Volunteers who helped on the night - brilliant.
• The Club took part in the Remembrance Sunday Services at both the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth War Memorials. Club Captain Rob Ayers attended the Lowestoft Service and I attended the Great Yarmouth Service.
• December saw members of the Club together with “Pirate Pete” from Adventure Island Play Park visit James Paget Hospital Children’s Ward to spread some “Christmas Cheer” giving the children patients a bag of rugby club goodies. The nursing staff seemed to enjoy the visit too. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all NHS Staff and Key Workers at this time and say how much we appreciate them.
• The normal Boxing Day Game was well attended with an enjoyable match for both players and spectators alike. There must have been a crowd of over 150 spectators with the Club House really buzzing afterwards.
• The Schools Rugby afternoons that we have held at the Club as part of the community rugby initiative, have been really enjoyable and good news to help with the recruitment drive for young players. I must thank “Youth and Minis Chairman” Steve Tomlinson & “Schools & Community Coach” Jim Keeble for making the afternoons successful.
• The Colts reaching the EC Plate Cup Semi-Final. This hasn’t been played due to the suspension of rugby but they had a really exciting game in the Quarter Final against Woodbridge beating them 30-29. The Colts have been impressive and a credit to themselves and the Club all season, hopefully we can build on this for the future.
• The Pre-Match Lunches and Players Reunion Lunch were a great success and very enjoyable for everyone attending, with most Lunches being a sell-out and the Reunion Lunch having over 45 Ex-Players meeting up.
• The Ladies Lunch was also a great success with 76 Ladies attending with the feedback being that everyone attending had an enjoyable time and were looking forward to next seasons Lunch already.
• Senior Playing wise I would like to congratulate all the players whether they played for the 1st or 2nd XV for representing Lowestoft & Yarmouth. Thanks, must also go to Coach Steve Cooper and Club Captain Rob Ayres for all their all hard work to get a competitive team out. A big thank you must also go to 2nd XV Manager Rosey and all the work Robbie Gardner did to get a 2nd XV out during the season.
• The icing on the cake Senior Playing wise has got to be the promotion the 1st XV gained to “Eastern Counties One” for next season. Well done all the lads who played their part in the 1st Team squad, “Coach” Steve Cooper and “Club Captain” Rob Ayres, a personal thank you from me and thank you on behalf of the Club.

So, all in all its not been a bad season and that’s why I’m honoured and proud to be your Club President. I believe the Club is in a strong position both on and off the field which will carry us forward when we eventually get to play and see the “new normal” form of rugby back at Gunton Park.

Finally, it only leaves me to wish all members and their families of the Club well and I will hopefully see you at the other side of this Coronavirus situation. Make the best of the summer break that you can and lets comeback refreshed, strong and hungry to play and support some good rugby and have fun.
Take Care & Stay Safe.

Cheers
Russ Wilson
L&Y President