I feel this is the perfect opportunity to send you my first communication as newly appointed Club Chairman and I am looking forward to continuing to help drive the club forward over the coming months and years.

I have much to update you on and will start by bringing you up to speed on the new Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP).

For those of you that have seen the new facility I am sure you are suitably impressed, it has transformed the look of the club and the playing area is second to none in the country.

Saturday sees the opening of the AGP, we have a full day of training and matches planned from 11am to celebrate the opening and you are all most welcome to attend, below I have detailed the plan for the day, please come along and help us celebrate in style.

Time Fixture
11:00 to 12:00 Horsham Minis (Training and Matches)
12:00 to 12:45 Horsham U13 Boys v Worthing
12:45 to 13:45 Horsham U16 Boys v Worthing
13:45 to 14:30 Horsham U15 Girls Training
14:30 to 15:15 Horsham U18 Girls Training
15:15 to 15:55 Horsham Touch Tigers Festival Final
15:00 to 17:00 (on FoD) Horsham Lions/Barbarians v Uckfield
16:00 to 18:00 Horsham 1st XV v London Exiles

There will be food available, the bar will be open and the weather is set fair, I hope to see you there.

A great deal else has been happening during the close season.

Latitude51 was held at the club last weekend, which was our first Music and Family Festival. The day was organised to raise funds for the redevelopment of the clubhouse. There was an open mic session; tribute acts including, Abba, Beyonce, Ollie Murs and Robbie Williams, plus fair ground rides and an inflatable fun area amongst other attractions. The day went very smoothly and it was a fantastically well organised event, thanks to Claire Plinston and Angie Silva Dias for all their efforts.

The development team led by Rob Plinston are cracking on with converting the old changing rooms into a new bar and social space, the kitchen has already been extended and the team are planning to get the bar installed in the next few weeks. Hopefully it will available to the membership in early 2019.

You will notice as you drive into the club car park that there are no longer any potholes to negotiate. Richard Ordidge and Barry Wright have very kindly sponsored the tarmacing of the lower half, which makes the world of difference, and we are very thankful for their generosity.

Richard has also continued his hard work in securing more sponsors for the club, which is helping us make major step changes in our facilities. Please take note of the advertising boards around the AGP and if possible patronise these businesses by way of a thank you for helping us develop our facilities.

We have other projects underway and thanks to Bob Essex we have managed to secure grants from Horsham District Council and the RFU for further necessary developments around the clubhouse and playing areas.

A new payment system will be introduced over the next few weeks, which will allow us to better control the clubs finances. Please bear with John O’Sullivan and his team whilst they work through any training/teething issues, ultimately the new system will deliver benefits to all our members so watch this space.

Membership payment has now moved online, please visit our website and you will find the membership options under the payments section, one off or direct debit options are available.

Other Dates for your Diary:

Sunday 2nd September - Mini and Junior Registration
Saturday 15th September - 1st XV @ Home v Beckenham
Saturday 6th October - VP Lunch - 1st XV Home v Charlton Park

Best regards

Jonathan Pratt
Chairman - Horsham RUFC
07785 382909