Category: Chairman

Giles Hilton

Christmas message from our Club Chair

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The Club heads into a well deserved Christmas break with its head held high.

The first half of the season has been punishing. More matches than ever. More players across the whole club than ever. More volunteers than ever. And more rain than ever!

It is an absolute testament to all those involved that we are in this position….long may it continue The support the Club is shown on and off the field is frankly amazing and without our incredible community partners, led from the front by our Principal Partner Marine Travel none of this would be possible We’ve had some incredible moments in the first half of the season We have a full diary for the second half coming up so please get involved further For all opportunities please contact myself on chair@cantrugby.co.uk or via our Club and Events Manager Kirsty kirsty@cantrugby.co.uk

Remember you are all part of The Rugby Club of Year 2023….enjoy that knowledge!!!

A very Happy Christmas to you all and please let’s make sure we look after those less fortunate.

Here’s to 2024!

Very best
Giles

Giles-CRFC Chair

End of year message from our Chairman

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A peaceful and happy Christmas is my hope for everyone associated with the club at the end of a strange and challenging year. Despite the problems we have all faced there have been good things to record, not least the support that players, members, sponsors, supporters, and staff have given. It has kept our club in vibrant health with enhanced facilities, including a popular restaurant and a new gymnasium, thanks to a wonderful team and community effort. The return of competitive rugby in September revived everyone’s spirits and despite the fresh challenges that Covid is bringing I am confident we are ready to meet them in the New Year.

My best wishes to you all for the festive season.

Omicon variant

A Covid update from our Chairman

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Whilst the world battles to control the Covid pandemic, and considering the new Omicron Variant, Canterbury Rugby Club’s priority remains the health and safety of our members, players, staff, and visitors. We are therefore looking at putting in place a range of recommended safety measures to keep the Marine Travel Ground Covid secure.

Please follow a protocol of Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) prior to training and matches and attending the club. One in three people don’t show symptoms.

If you are attending a pre-match lunch, please carry out an LFT the morning of the lunch, unless you have mitigating reasons such as having had the virus within the last 90 days.

Anyone who wishes to wear a face-covering is as ever free to do so.

Hand sanitiser will be available in clearly signposted locations across club facilities, and we would urge all at the ground to apply it regularly.

Along with social distancing and other safety guidelines, vaccinated members are crucial in helping prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinated people are less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms and are less likely to get serious COVID-19. We want to strongly recommend as many players and staff as possible to be vaccinated.

Help us protect our community and keep our rugby family safe.

 Further Covid-19 advice and resources can be found at the following links

Chairman’s message – We are back!

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy | Leave a Comment on Chairman’s message – We are back!

Rugby training can recommence on Wednesday 2 December 2020, at this time we all have to assume that it will be at stage A on the return to community road map, as soon as we get confirmation we will advise of any changes.

Lockdown 2 has given the opportunity to review our facilities, furniture has been changed, TV’s and sound system are having an overhaul, the changing rooms are being re-painted, our medical facilities have been upgraded, a wood burning stove has been installed in the clubhouse and a coffee shop is to be created internally at the end of the clubhouse in the new year. These are alongside numerous odd jobs that have been completed with many more to come.

The down side of Tier 3 is that our bar and catering facilities have to remain closed, therefore we have been forced to cancel the lunch on December 5 and the John Bentley fundraiser on the 11 December. We hope possibly in vain to be able to still hold the Christmas lunch on the 19 December.

The shop will be open on Sundays from today (29/11) from 9 am to 11 am

Looking forward we will be able to return to full midweek training from Monday 4 January 2021 as we have slots booked on the STP at the Langton.

We have a number of volunteer vacancies which we are keen to fill, whilst rugby is quiet, we are looking for a club secretary, a mini fixtures secretary, a volunteer coordinator  and help with the teams who are currently running safeguarding, communications, social, facilities and ground. f you feel you could commit around three hours per week for any of the aforementioned roles please contact me by emailing chairman@cantrugby.co.uk

In finishing I would like to thank all of you for your continued input and messages of support.

Best wishes

Giles

Lockdown News

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy | Leave a Comment on Lockdown News

I hope this message finds you all safe and well.

Please if any of you are struggling, or know of someone who is, then do not hesitate to contact me confidentially and I will ensure that we do our utmost to assist it whatever way possible. As all will be aware there is no rugby activity and the club facilities remain closed, however, please do remember that the top pitch is available for socially distancing exercise. We have every intention of opening everything up as soon Government guidelines allow. We have booked the STP at the Langton from January 1st onwards as per last season, so we are very confident that all being well, everyone will be able to make up for lost rugby.

The RFU has taken the decision to cancel all league rugby for the remainder of the season. We await the outcome of the current talks between the RFU and DCMS, as to what form of game will be allowed once rugby is given the green light to kick off. I fully appreciate that this is a extremely frustrating period of time for sponsors, spectators, parents, coaches and players both young and old.

I thank you all for your patience. I encourage you all to stay in contact with each other across the club.

Here are some helpful tips for keeping yourself active, kindly supplied by Sam Sterling
https://www.samsterlingfitness.com/post/making-your-own-exercise-plan-for-lockdown

Saucy Flo’s are back cooking so please look out for their menu on the Canterbury RFC/Saucy Flo’s Facebook page.

Please book with Ted on 07914 678 679. A few delivery slots are available to the Chartham area
or collect from The Marine Travel Ground at Canterbury RFC.
Numbers are limited.

Lunches in December are on 5th and 19th. Please book by emailing prematchlunches@cantrugby.co.uk

One for the diary – May Ball is on Friday 28th May 2021………..Hopefully!

In the meantime Stay Safe

Giles
CRFC Chairman