On Saturday we had the inter club game where we played for the first time under the new ELVs. A good turn out saw two competitive sides battle for over an hour in the hot sun. Well done to everyone who attended. Coach Les Barwood saw his players in full match action for the first time. He now knows what he has to work on to make us a league winning team. Les and Captain Steve Cunningham now need the players' support. This means attending training on Tuesdays and Thursdays where things can be put right. Then turning up on Saturdays early so you can be changed ready for the pre-match warm up one hours before kick off.
Future Events:
Saturday 9th August
Pre-season warm up vs. Birmingham Exiles at home, Kick Off 3pm
Saturday 16th August
Moss Goode Memorial 15 a Side Tournament at Old Yards. Teams confirmed: Old Yardleians, Ashby, Aston Old Edwardians, Bournville, Camp Hill, Edwardians, Old Halesonians, Old Griffinians, Old Saltleians, Silhillians and Wednesbury.
Saturday 23rd August
Pre-season warm up game vs. Uttoxeter at home, Kick Off 3pm
Saturday 30th August
- 1st XV vs. Old Saltleians away in a friendly
- 2nd XV vs. Old Saltleians home
- 3rd XV vs. Old Saltleians away
Saturday 6th September
EDF Senior Vase 1st Round - Old Yardleians at home to Upton On Severn kick off 3pm.
Followed by a Rock Night at the club with a live band. Sponsored by Steve Sidwell, please support this event.
Saturday 13th September
The first league fixture of the season when we play Selly Oak at home. We will have a VPs lunch on this day.
Club Stuff:
Moss Goode Memorial 15 a Side Tournament
As you are now aware this will be a big event. Thank you to those who have already volunteered to help. I will contact you the week before with details of what your role will be. We still need more volunteers so if you can give even just an hour on the day please let me know. There is a second planning meeting for the event at the clubhouse on Tuesday 5th August at 7pm. Anyone who is willing to help plan this event please come along.
Sponsorship Needed
A big thank you to Brian Hope who has sponsored the following events for the coming season:
- Moss Goode 15 a Side Tournament
- VPs Lunch on 13th September
- Children's Christmas Party
Brian has done great work for the club over the years and will be missed when he moves to Crete.
We are still looking for Old Yardleians to help sponsor the 1st XV kit. So far four people have committed to give a donation of £100. I need another six please. In return for the £100 you will get your own limited edition replica Old Yardleians Rugby Shirt..
Players Subscriptions
Thank you to the 12 players who have already paid their 2008/2009 Annual Subs in full. Please can the rest of you pay me at the club on Saturdays. It is £40 for the season but goes up to £50 if you don't pay me by the end of September. Pay me in installments if you like, £5 or £10 per week.
Help continues to be needed to get the extension finished for the start of the season
Thank you to the good numbers that have been turning up on the weekends to progress the club extension. If you have not been up then do so and see the massive changes going on at your club. Last weekend Tony arranged for the plasterers to come in to plaster the ceilings in the changing rooms. At the same time, the first set of new posts were put up on the 2nd XV pitch. Help is still required from 9am every Saturday to get things finished.
International Tickets for England's Autumn Internationals
Don't forget that applications for tickets for any of England's Autumn Internationals need to be with Mark Baldwin by Saturday 23rd August. This includes a completed form and full payment.
Anything to say?
Please email me details of any Old Yards information, trivia or jokes so I can add them to the next update.
Mark, Hon. Secretary - 4th August 2008
mark.xc@blueyonder.co.uk