Quilter International Douglas RUFC
On behalf of the Players, Members and Supporters I would like thank you for your much valued support of the Club over the past season. Without your generosity and continued involvement with the Club, it would be very difficult for us to put out two such successful teams, and compete at the levels we do. As I write the ongoing Corona Virus has rightly overtaken everything else as the point of focus for everyone, but hopefully there are better times ahead, and our Player/Coach and CEO Carl Murray has begun to think of next season, whenever it may begin. These preparations have been made much more difficult with the cancellation of TT 2020, our major fund raising effort of the year, and your continued support next season, will be more vital than ever for the continued success of the Club.
This season has again been a successful one for the Islands Senior Club, competing at National Level 6, in North West 1 the First XV finished 8th, as the Leagues were ended with five games remaining due the current crisis. Even without the Corona Virus, this season had become very problematic with the demise of Flybe, upon whom we relied for travel to the mainland. Fixtures had been re-arranged, non vital fixtures being cancelled, and only ones affecting promotion or relegation being played. Travel to and from the Island by boat was the order of the day, with the First XV leaving the Island at 0845 on a Saturday, returning back at 0600 Sunday for the final away game at Birkenhead Park. Had the season run its course this Saturday would have seen the final League game of the season against Champions Burnage at Port-e-Chee, in what would have surely been a cracking match between two sides who have fought out some really close games in the past three seasons.
The Celts have again enjoyed a fantastic Season. They had already retained the Manx Shield and reached the Semi-Final of the Cheshire Plate, before the season was cut short. The numbers players for the Celts were swelled this season with the steady drip feed of new young players coming from last seasons Under 16 Cheshire Bowl winning team, when they reached their seventeenth birthday, which was great to see. Several of that team also represented the Isle of Man Under 18 7’s team on their travels in the UK and also in Europe.
The Junior and Mini section continues to grow, and Under 11’s enjoyed a memorable trip to Sale Sharks in January.
In these difficult times the Club has been helping out local folk with deliveries and collections, and next week we have signed up to Age Concern, delivering parcels they have made up for the senior members of our community.
The next 12 months will see difficult times for everyone, not just on the Island, but all over the World. Douglas Rugby Union Football Club as with all other businesses and sports clubs will not be immune. The Committee, Board of Directors, Coaches Players and supporters will all play their part in the coming months to ensure that the club continues to move forward and improve in all areas. Your support in the past is genuinely appreciated, and any continued support for the coming season will be greatly received more than ever before.
Thank you, once again,
Paul Snellgrove
President
