With the forthcoming season, 2016/17, as my first full season as Chairman of Camberley Rugby Club I would like to take this opportunity to launch the Chairman’s Fund. I see the Chairman’s Fund as a way for us to help enhance the quality of coaching, playing and infrastructure at Camberley Rugby Club and to further promote our one club ethos.

My idea is to create a fund that will go someway to helping those areas at the club that could do with some extra financial support. We have a very good number of members and the membership that they, and you, pay goes a long way to covering the majority of the costs that the club incur day to day. However, to develop further in certain areas a bit of extra financial help would be extremely welcome.

Currently, under the guidance of Gareth Rise, CRFC Director of Rugby, we have an extremely successful academy and youth section with a growing reputation. Several academy players have played senior rugby over the last two seasons. We are looking to make it even more successful and to get more and more players coming through the academy to the senior sides. We also have in place a “pathway” through the youth section of the club to the academy and then onto the seniors. To continue to grow and develop we need to ensure that we have the right coaches with the right qualifications. This takes investment. We also have in place great physios and medical support to ensure that any injuries are dealt with promptly and efficiently and once again to ensure the needs of the players are met, this costs money.

I see this as an investment in the future of CRFC, both in terms of the development of the coaches and of the players, to help keep them learning and improving. With the structure that is currently in place and the plans ahead these developments will filter down through to the youth and mini sections of the club with senior coaches guiding and mentoring those coming through and senior players also getting involved at those levels. This will ensure that all investment will be filtered throughout the club benefiting all.

I would also like to try and help those players who are students. Costs for travel to and from the club for training, match fees, kit etc, etc all add up and if we can help those players who are committed to the club I know it would be appreciated. I can remember being helped with train fares when I was a student and it made me feel really valued and a part of the club. This would be run similar to a bursary to assist those students who are struggling with the financial costs of playing rugby at CRFC. For several years there has been the “Fellowship” that has provided funds in this specific area and, following consultation, will be amalgamated into the Chairman’s Fund, where its aims will and ideals will continue. For those that have donated in the past to the Fellowship your donations into the Chairman’s Fund will be most welcome.

Another area that we now have to pay for is pitch maintenance. For the last two years we have been responsible for the maintenance of the pitches at Watchetts and have put a large investment into drainage and care of the grounds. Plans are already in place for the next couple of years and if we keep on top of things we will continue to see the results. The benefits have been very clear to see already with very little rugby lost to bad weather over the last few seasons, this investment is an ongoing process and one that is not cheap. However, as with the academy, I feel that it is an investment in the future of CRFC.

I am hoping that some of you will feel able to make a donation, perhaps even on an annual basis, to The Chairman’s Fund that will help us to invest in the above mentioned areas and therefore the future of CRFC. These are, in my opinion, the core areas of the club and fundamental to our growth and success. I don't mean success in terms of results, although this would help, but success in terms of the number of people playing, of all ages, of coaching or just being involved at CRFC. Donations can be as much or as little as you like, it can be anonymous or with whistles and bells attached, they can be either personal or made through a business. Just remember it will all help and you will be investing in the future of Camberley Rugby Club.
Any monies donated will be listed as a total and all expenditure will be detailed to all donors if requested, there will be a full audit trail and all accounts will be open and visible to those who wish to see them. The fund will be managed by a group of individuals that will be made up from all parts of the club.

I think that we are currently in a great position as a club, both on and off the field, and am very excited about the next few years and would hope that you, my fellow ex player, coach, member, friend, legend - delete as appropriate - of Camberley Rugby Club agree and feel that you are able to invest in that future.

In the first instance and for more information please contact me via email at the address below.

Yours in rugby,

Karl Jackson, Chairman, Camberley Rugby Club.
jacko.1963@btinternet.com