Chairman’s Update - August 2023
Committed to keeping you updated, please find below August’s headlines to keep you in the loop with the continuous work going on behind the scenes.
But first I must start by congratulating everybody involved in our Portico Vine ARLFC Open Age Team who have brought together a fantastic squad in such a short space of time. Under the leadership of Mark Thomas, it’s been a meteoric rise in numbers, hard work, performances and the results are starting to take care of themselves. The re-creation of an Open Age team was part of our five year plan but I never thought we would have had such success in forming a close knit squad so quickly. I’m really proud of each and every player who don the Green and Gold and grateful for such fantastic management and game day support.
We have a number of projects ongoing, each at various stages, and you will begin to see some of these take shape over the next few weeks and months. Our floodlight project will be the first to finish. Running parallel with the construction is a ‘Big Switch On’ event that our event management team are leading on (date TBC).
Also close to a finish is the installation of new CCTV cameras giving us much more coverage of the car park area and will cover the areas all around the new floodlights. We are in discussions to have small cameras placed into the light fitting of the floodlights too.
We are also in the early stages of scoping out roof repairs to our old building and looking at funding opportunities to refurbish and update toilets next to the changing rooms. Our medium term plans including creating a new large changing room, an upgraded coaches room and long term plans of joining the two buildings.
I’m really grateful to our Maintenance Team, which is growing all the time and allows so many of the ‘unseens’ to be progressed throughout the daytimes each week. If you are interested in getting involved, or wish to learn more about the jobs the team compete, please drop me a line, no matter how much time (or lack of) you may have. Many hands make light work!!
The memorial garden is now gathering momentum with some funding received from the National Lottery which will allow us to purchase some low level fencing, plants, flowers and unique items to remember those who have gone before us. Really grateful to the bid writers and steering team who are progressing this fitting tribute.
Although there are a couple of months left of the youth season, we are ramping up plans for their presentation nights. I know how special these nights are and we are going to be working much closer with coaches and parents this year to bring a more standardised approach to all the different evenings. We have some fantastic ideas on how to create another memorable evening and celebrate their success but further details will be passed on through each coach.
Our Community Hub are busy planning and delivering several events including ‘Free meals for Children’ throughout each Thursday in August. In addition, they are close to announcing some diversionary activities for the next Half Term, specifically targeting U12-U16. One such event is a Knife Crime Awareness event. We will be bringing together first responders, doctors, surgeons and charities who will provide an educational and interactive piece for our children to highlight the consequences of carrying and/or using a knife as a weapon.
In September the club have an other action packed month as the junior and youth leagues restart. We can’t wait to see Scholes Lane awash with Green and Gold again.
I’m really looking forward, as I’m sure most of you are, about welcoming NSW Police Rugby League to our club as part of their European Tour. It’s a real privilege that they will be making time to visit us during a very busy schedule. We are currently planning an Australian Evening as part of this momentous occasion.
The following day we will be mascots and ball boys/girls for the match between British Police Rugby League Team and NSW at The Totally Wicked Stadium, St.Helens RLFC. Another opportunity that will forever be remembered by our children and club.
Mid September also sees us launch an introductory session and meeting for all those interested in forming a Portico Vine Masters Team. I would welcome you, or anybody you know, to attend on Wednesday 13th September at 20:00.
Updates to our website are work in progress, our volunteers continue to explore options on improvements to our pitch drainage and we are seeking funding for some solar panels.
Remember, in partnership with
Saints Community Development Foundation and Violet-Grace’s Gift our RugBees sessions continue every Wednesday evening, as does Touch Rugby League. Please see SCDF for further details.
Huge thanks, as ever to our selfless volunteers who make our club what it is💚💛
One Team, One Dream
‘Working with the Community, For the Community’ 💚💛
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