It has been a great privilege and honour to serve you as President over the past 2 years both as County President and Referees Society. What has been a privilege and pleasure is to have witnessed the enthusiasm within the Clubs and Districts and especially the talent which is in abundance within the County from Schools through to seniors all levels through to National. Not forgetting those involved in Mini Midis/Juniors. We recognise the enormous contribution by those involved in all aspects of the game with the presentation of our valuing the Volunteer Ties. On the playing front we must ensure every opportunity and encouragement is extended to players and match officials playing and officiating to reach their highest potential. We have had examples recently of lads going outside of Warwickshire for their rugger advancment. As a result we have taken immediate action. There is now a 5-man task group formed from Schools, SOR and County to establish a single pathway for Representative Rugby from under 16’s through to County Senior squad together with the introduction of a single Registration Form. It is now paramount for Schools and Clubs to ensure their players are given the opportunity of advancement through the County. The opportunities of Representative Rugby within the County are in place Schools District Unions, County District Unions, Colts U19 Development, U17’s, U18’s U20’s and seniors we do however need to improve the standard of Coaching throughout the County. The County will assist Coaches in improving their qualification. We have started the process whereby the Head Coach of Under 18’s, 20’s and seniors are appointed through application and interviews including practical sessions. Under our RDO Mark Richardson we have 3 CRC’s whose priority this coming season will be with the Clubs. I am very pleased indeed to report that sufficient funding from independent sources has been secured to provide a 4th CRC full time for next season, thereby thus providing one for each of the District Unions. On behalf of the County I thank our RDO Mark Richardson for his work in securing this funding. Heather Smith has now returned to North Midlands and on your behalf I thank her for her work with the Girls and Women’s Rugby albeit for only a short time. This is an area, which needs developing, which I hope, will be addressed next season. Nadine Attwell has done a marvellous job for which I thank her on behalf of the County. However for personal reasons Nadine will need to stand aside next season, we therefore need a volunteer to take on this role. Recently we have reformed the Coaching Strategy Group which will be very much up and running by the start of the season. Together with the SOR for Under 14,15, and 16’s to receive first class coaching. The County has very much taken on board through these 3 initiatives to improve skill levels, dietary and fitness of players from Schools to seniors. To conclude on the Representative aspect of the County. I warmly congratulate the Management and Players of our Senior XV for their involvement in this seasons Bill Beaumont Championship. In particular the player’s performance and pride in wearing the County colours. It proved to be a very difficult Championship, 3 hard games virtually with division 3 players and below against division 3 and above. You were a credit to the County. It was particularly disappointing that despite every effort of our Management Team and that of the Coventry over the months we received no support from Coventry players. I thank Rugby and Nuneaton for their support. I congratulate Huw Thomas and Gareth Collins for being selected for the England Counties team to Tour Korea and Japan in June and to Connor Joyce of Solihull School who was selected in the England Schools U16’s squad.

 The County and the Referees Society are both established on traditions that go back many years focused on the Grass Roots Game, the Community Game. We must ensure that these traditions are upheld and the game in Warwickshire for both Players and Match Officials remain focussed at grass roots level and that enjoyment for the game is paramount. Our Clubs are the Community Game dedicated to upholding the traditions of their Clubs run by a committee and individual volunteers. A number of Clubs are experiencing difficult times but are dedicated to ensuring their suvival. The County will do its utmost to assist in any way it can. The RFU acknowledges the work of volunteers and has recently introduced two incentatives under “People and Places” and V Rugby. Please do not dismiss these initiatives without thoroughly understanding the format. I am convinced that virtually all our Clubs already have volunteers that can assume one of the catagories. It is not a question of recruiting yet more volunteers. The County under the Community Task Group will be advising Clubs shortly. To the Clubs who have gained promotion, success in the National Cup Competitions and our own Cup Competitions Congratulations. Another very successful Floodlit 40’s Competition and without question a very successful introduction of the Warwickshire Leagues for clubs 2nd teams and below. In particular I thank Kim Challis, Keith Brown and Bob Jones. We also acknowledge the valuable support of the Referees Society and the quality of Match Officials it continues to provide the grass roots game. After a difficult autumn it has come through even stronger providing more games with referees reaching a 95% appointment rate. The Society has recently secured funding for a Youth Academy, which will be very active next season. I therefore on behalf of the Clubs and the County thank the Executive Committee and Members of the Society for their support. We continue to provide referees for Midland group and beyond, Congratulations to Andy Attwell and Luke Haskins for making Midland Group, to Greg Garner who recently was on International duties at the Churchill Cup. My chosen Charity for the two years has been the WNAA.I would like to thank all Clubs, District and Representative Teams for your support to-date. This will conclude at the end of July, I will be writing to all Clubs with an update and to urge those Clubs who have so far not sent in a donation to consider supporting this very worthwhile Charity. During this period we have held two Charity days at Trinity Guild including a Junior game and President’s XV v Referees XV.These two events have been organised by Dave ‘smudger’ Smith of the Referees Society and I thank him most sincerely for his fantastic efforts ably supported by his Committee, last year we raised £1700 this year we met the target figure of £4000 the cost of one days flying.
These past two years have been a great experience, they would not have been possible but for the support of the Referees Society and the County over the past years for giving me the opportunity. I thank most sincerely the Clubs for the courtesy and hospitality extended to myself on my visits. To the various Committees for their input and support. To the District Unions and in particular the County Officers especially Charlie McGinty the Hon Sec for support and guidance. I congratulate Charlie on succeeding Geoff Payne as our CB representative on the RFU Council. I thank Geoff on your behalf for his thirteen years service, I am sure Charlie will represent us exceedingly well. I do believe much has been achieved over the past two years and this has been possible through you efforts and support. Enjoyment, Passion,
Experiences and Friendships the greatest team game we have the privilege and pleasure of being part of ‘Rugby Football Union’. I thank you most sincerely for the presentation and kind words of John Richardson at this years Dinner. I look forward to continuing in various roles for both the County and the Referee Society next season. I wish you all good health and prosperity and every success in the future.
Richard Wormell President July 2009