Welcome to the world of mini rugby at Chobham RFC for the season 2010-11...
 
On behalf of the whole club, the volunteers, coaches, managers, parents and players, we're delighted to welcome new members to the club for the start of the new 2010 - 2011 season and to welcome back old friends who have had the summer off away from rugby.   No doubt you are returning with much excitement at the start of a new season.
 
For those who don't know me, let me introduce myself.   I have been at Chobham for 6 years, Head Coach from u6s to u10s and I have been appointed to this role from this summer.   Other than leading the age group I have also been responsible for setting up the link with Wasps and our annual trip to visit them, and last season was responsible for organising fixtures and festivals with other clubs.   I think that I therefore have a sound knowledge of the club and requirements necessary for this role.   My philosophy has always been that we are here for the children and all we do should first and foremost be for their enjoyment and learning of this tremendous game of rugby, their safety whilst playing, and the wonderful friendly and family atmosphere that Chobham can bring.
 
I have two children, a 15 year old who is misguided in his love of hockey rather than this game and my younger boy who will be in the u11s this year and who has seen the light!
 
The friendliness and family environment is what makes Chobham such a wonderful club to join.   It succeeds because of the membership.   This section of the club could only operate with the support and time of so many, be that helping with coaching, the organisation of the age levels, social, first aid and a whole plethora of other organisational requirements that require the dedication and support of volunteers.   Chobham has those volunteers and it is testament to them that the Minis section continues to move forward from strength to strength.
 
However as is often the case, so much is looked after by too few, so I would ask throughout this minis section for volunteers to step forward and provide some help to the club wherever you are able.   We have a number of unfilled positions in the club, not least a Fixtures Secretary.   We have fixtures planned for this season, but would need somebody to start to work on next season.   I would be happy to talk to anybody who is interested.
 
This season we have tried to organise the calendar to accommodate all wishes and while we are unlikely to have addressed every concern from previous seasons, we do have a good proposed mixture of training time and match time, much of it with Festivals and we will be travelling to all the major clubs in the area as well as a few slightly further away.   The Surrey Festivals are committed and we are well underway in the planning for the annual Minis Tour which is scheduled for the weekend of  18th - 20th March.   In addition, as in recent years, we are investigating plans with Wasps and other Premier Clubs to have a training session and watch a match later in the season.   The Christmas Event, scheduled for December 12th is always an enjoyable occasion and there will be other activities and events throughout the season, not least our 3 home Festivals on Sunday 3rd October when we hold the B Festival, Sunday 17th October when we host the A Festival and then the C Festival on 6th February.   This together with Festivals at Reeds, Cobham, Guildfordians, Winchester, where we will attend a B Festival for the first time along with our annual trip to their A Festival, Redingensians, Guildford, Teddington, Sutton and Epsom, Newbury and Marlow should ensure a busy season once again.
 
Training takes place at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday mornings and lasts until 12.00pm for each age group and 11.30 a.m. for the u6s.   It is advisable to arrive at the ground around 9.30 - 9.45 to ensure players are booted up ready to start at 10.00 a.m.   For the older children there will be optional training during one evening a week.   The detail will come out about this in due course once this is set up.
 
I hope to see most of you over the coming weeks as we get into the training and new season.   I would love to meet you and will absorb any feedback, positive or constructive as to what we are doing well and what we could be doing better.   So if you have thoughts or concerns, please do talk to me about them and we will see what needs to be done to redress and improve.   You can reach me on my mobile or my email, both of which are listed below.
 
Welcome again to all, new and not so new!   We're delighted to have you join Chobham this year and look forward to enjoying what promises to be another outstanding season.
 
Mark Hilton
Chobham Minis Chairman
Mobile 07714 660210
Email; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it