Outgoing Chair, Mark Beresford, gave an overview of the continued progress of the club, both on and off the pitch. He paid tribute to the many volunteers from our community that enable us to continue to grow and provide rugby activity for anyone age 4-104!

Off the pitch, tight financial controls and increased commercial activity saw income continue to grow in 22-23, despite the difficult financial climate and rising costs, and the club remain profitable. An extended bar cellar had been paid for without resorting to the development fund, reducing wastage, maintenance and energy costs, and allowing the club to carry a wider range of drinks at the bar. On the pitch, player and social membership numbers continued to increase and generate revenue from annual and monthly fees.
Commercial Manager Oli Golding gave thanks to the club’s sponsors, and launched our exciting new partnership with VX3 as kit providers. Our dedicated club website is now live: https://vx-3.com/collections/kingswood-rfc

On the playing side, Senior DoR Rich Shacklock updated. Our senior team had fulfilled every fixture and the first XV had moved to mid-table from the very bottom. We have a ‘swing’ of over 500 points compared to the previous season (240 more scored, 266 fewer conceded), with the average age of our playing team down to 27. Kudos to Team Coach Tom Bowen-Hall, the wider management team and all the players for this turnaround.
Our Spartans had also competed well and been an excellent proving ground for young players making their way into the senior game. Captain Jon Wykes would step into a Management role for 23-24. The Colts team would now come under the stewardship of the seniors from 23-24 onwards. The Vet’s had also been highly competitive over the season. All sections continued to grow, with the seniors attracting on average two new players each month.

Our Minis, Juniors and Girls sections also continued to thrive, and we could put sides out at every age group. Our micros had had to split in to two sections such was the demand.

The Kingswood Titans Walking Rugby side had also had a very successful first year as part of the formal club structure. Walkers DoR Steve Deery briefed that the section was now 50 strong, and had competed regularly in festivals throughout the year. We had hosted perhaps the biggest Walking Rugby festival in the UK last summer and were looking to go even bigger this year.

Our Apollo’s Touch side had been revitalised under the stewardship of Rich Hall, and the inaugural year of Kingswood All Inclusive Rugby (AIR), with 26 children now attending regularly, and the achievements of the section in truly providing rugby for all being recognised throughout the South West.

Development Manager, Derek Golding, briefed on improvements to the clubhouse that had been made over the year and plans for this summer. Access to an RFU grant meant that we would focus on new toilet facilities that would enable our existing changing spaces to be upgraded to two brand new RFU standard changing rooms.

Derek also unveiled a new video presentation of the clubhouse extension. We estimated that we would need circa £1 million to make this ambition a reality and appealed to all members to think about how they can contribute through fund-raising and sponsorships.

Mark Beresford confirmed his intent to step down as Chair, thanking those that had gone before him for passing on the club in such a healthy position, and thanking the Committee for their support over the past 12 months. Ian Starr was approved as new Chair. He paid tribute to Mark’s efforts over the season and the role he had in stewarding the club to the success we had seen reported this evening.

Matt Rich was approved as new Vice-Chair and Club Captain. He passes on his two DoR roles, with Tom Lovell taking over as Junior DoR, and Liam O’Loughlin as Womens’ and Girls’ DoR. Nick Hackett remains as Hon. Secretary and Fiona Frost as Hon. Treasurer, as does Ian Kirley as Minis DoR. Steve Deery was re-appointed Walking DoR at the Titans AGM in May.

A full minute of the evening will issue later this month.