The Oval Club

Objective

To contribute towards promoting the highest possible standard of rugby throughout Bishop's Stortford Rugby Football Club.
   

Background

Towards the end of the 1997/8 season a select few individuals (led by Les Clark and Robbie Kerr), all past playing members of BSRFC, had a number of informal discussions (at various hostelries) with the aim of contributing to the improvement of playing standards at BSRFC. As a result The Oval Club was born, it's objective as stated above.
With this objective in mind "the few" sallied forth to recruit a nucleus of like-minded individuals who might be persuaded to help in furthering this aim. The primary focus has always been to promote a successful 1st XV, which in itself engenders a successful and thriving club, whilst ensuring that each playing group, from Mini's upwards, also benefit.

Membership

This has risen since its conception to 70 BSRFC members. Each paying a monthly subscription of which 2/3rd is placed for financial donations to BSRFC; the remaining 1/3rd is spent on social events for Oval Club Members, i.e.; Golf Days, Dinner Dances, Beer and Curry Evenings and pre League Match lunches.

Achievements

Since its formation (in 1998) BSRFC has benefited from donations from The Oval Club that now amount to some £66,990 . These have been provided in response to specific proposals put forward, all of which are carefully considered before being awarded by the Oval Club Committee.

Donations so far have, amongst others, included the following significant items of expenditure;

	Improvement and maintenance of the playing surfaces, including the purchase of a Verti-drainer
	Replacement of goal posts
	Purchase of physiotherapy equipment
	Supporting Youth and Mini through, tours, kit and additional playing facilities
	Contributions to playing equipment and travel costs for all teams
	Major contribution towards the cost of floodlighting the back pitch
	Refurbishing the changing rooms' showers
	Large contribution towards the cost of the drainage of the floodlit pitch

There are ongoing projects throughout BSRFC that will be supported by The Oval Club.

Future Social Functions

The Committee are proposing to run the following function:

	Friday 7 August - Beer & Curry Evening for all members preceded by the Annual Golf Competition for The Oval Club Trophy to be held at the East Herts Golf Club for the golfers.
	Wednesday 25 November - Steele-Bodgers Trip

The Oval Club Committee

Gareth Smith (Chairman), Richard Worboys (Treasurer), John Robinson (Secretary), Robbie Kerr, Ronnie Alder and Mike Howatson.

e-mail addresses: smudger136@hotmail.com and jbr@talktalk.net

Updated 05 June 2009

Updated 14 July 2008