RUFC Update: Holmes Chapel AGM results

Holmes Chapel Rugby Club held their 2009 Annual General Meeting in early June with the main news being the election of Ed Meyrick as 1st XV Captain for the 2009-2010 season.  Meyrick was Vice-Captain to Matt Bowden last season and the whole club will give him their full support as he takes on the lead role in September.  Meyrick, who’s father Brian was one of the founder members of the club, has played for Chapel since being a teenager and was the 2008-2009 Players’ Player of the Year for the 1st XV.

Meyrick said after his appointment “to be selected as 1st XV Captain is a real honour and I intend to make sure that next season is our most successful ever.  With the young talent we have coming through, as well the experience of senior players, my ambition for 2009-2010 is to achieve success in both the league and cup competitions.  I also hope to see some new members join the club over the summer, to help us expand the club even further.”

Steve Hatton retains the role of 2nd XV Captain, as he looks to mould a promising group of young players into a winning side.  Despite a tough 2008-2009, the 2nd XV showed a vast improvement towards the end of the year and Hatton is confident of a few older heads returning to action to help the young players with their development.  Ian Gordon will continue to manage the Veterans XV, alongside Captain Simon Birch.

Mike Corfield was unanimously elected to continue as Club Chairman as the club look to maintain the progress made in recent years.  Exiting 1st XV Captain Matt Bowden will take over as Director of Rugby, and is looking forward to the challenges that the club will face next season.  Bowden has a tough act to follow in Garry Cottam, who oversaw the club’s recent rise in fortunes. 

Everyone at HCRUFC is extremely grateful for Garry’s contribution and the players will look forward to continuing to work with him in his role as coach during pre-season training.  The club also voted in a new Social Secretary in Lee Cagna, who has already voiced plenty of ideas for next season’s social calendar.

After finishing 5th in South Lancashire & Cheshire 3 last season, a restructuring of the leagues by the RFU will see Chapel face a number of new opponents next season.  Nothing will be taken for granted against some very tough and experienced sides, however Chapel will aim to be challenging for promotion at the business end of the campaign.  Pre-season training started on Tuesday 16 June, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm until September.  Bowden, Meyrick, and Cottam are hoping to see as many faces as possible – both new and old – as they prepare for next season.

Finally, Holmes Chapel RUFC would like to thank Wymans, who confirmed that they intend to continue their generous sponsorship of the club into 2009-2010.

Anyone interested in joining HCRUFC should call 07881 828 739 or simply turn up on a Tuesday or Thursday for training; new members of all age, fitness, and skill levels are welcome!

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