Recruitment and recruitment day
Our mini section has experienced unprecedented growth since we relaunched in October 2015, we now have 5 teams across U7-U11 with nearly 90 players registered, so a massive thank you to our all our parents, coaches and committee for helping us to achieve this. I would like to say a special thank you to Adam Taylor and Tom Wheeler, who give up so much time coaching despite not having any kids involved, and to Martine Rowe who turns up in all weathers to sell teas and coffees to raise money for the kids. You are stars!
Despite the growth, we are actively recruiting across all our age groups. It’s really important to have squads as big as possible, as playing numbers tend to drop as the kids get older (the introduction of contact and teenage distractions in particular) so recruitment is vital.
Our parents can play a massive role in this – there is no better advertising than a recommendation from a happy parent, so if you think we are doing a good job please share it with friends who may have kids interested in playing. If we aren’t then please let us know, we are always looking to improve what we do.
To aid recruitment, we are running a “Get into rugby” event on Sunday 16th September in conjunction with the WRU. The aim is to attract new players and as such there will be loads of rugby activities, as well as food and drink outlets etc Our home games will kick off a little later than usual that day so hopefully some of you will be able to stay on after the matches to create a really positive family environment. Most importantly, please share any promotions on social media – the wider the reach the more potential new players!
Club shop
The kit should be here in time for the 16th, so will do team photos etc on that day. A reminder that extras can be purchased from the club shop up until 21st September-link is below
https://www.beliefsports.com/shop/shop-old-illts-rfc/
Training venue
For the time being training will continue to be at St Illtyds High School on Newport Road (years 1-4 6.15PM to 7PM and years 5 and 6 7PM until 7.45PM). We are hoping to move to the brand new 4G pitch at Eastern High School for training, we are waiting on confirmation of our booking, we should know in October, I will keep everyone informed.
End of season minis tour
The mini committee have been looking into an end of season tour for the kids (and parents!). We are looking at the SCI Woolacombe Rugby Festival from 3rd to 6th May 2019, with accommodation at Twitchen House Holiday Park.
Check out the website here
https://www.scisportsrugbyfestivals.co.uk/
If there is sufficient interest then we will look to book this and start collecting deposits, we will look to minimise costs with fundraising. This leads us neatly on to our next item….
Digital Lottery
Old Illtydian lottery is relaunching and is a fantastic way to support the club and possibly win some money too! Pay £1, pick 4 numbers and if your numbers are drawn at the weekly draw in the Club (Sunday night, 7PM) you take the jackpot. If you match 3 numbers then you win £10. Each £1 contribution is split 50:50 with half to the prize pot and half going to support the club
The lottery is now available in a modern and convenient digital format through an online app (Digi4 Ltd) available for free on the app store. This offers safe and secure payments, the ability to store your numbers and set reminders and notifications. You will also be able to select which team you would like to support when you buy online (eg U11s, U10s, U9s etc) with funds raised going towards tour for that age group. Paper tickets are still available at the club for those who prefer but note that the cash from these will go towards the social club (all prize money goes into the same pot)
The app is available for free - search for Digi 4
The first draw will be made on Sunday 16th September with a jackpot of £500
You have to be in it to win it, so why not support the Illts at the same time!
International tickets
The club has a number of tickets for the autumn internationals reserved for our mini section, please let me know if you are interested in tickets
Lovell Rugby
If you need to buy boots, under Armour etc then consider using Lovell rugby – as an official partner every purchase where someone selects Old Illtydians as there club at the checkout stage, we get 5% of the total back.
www.lovellsports.co.uk
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