Ross High RFC AGM 2024 – Presidents Report
Season 2023/24
Thank you for coming along to our Annual General meeting.
No one needs reminded that this has been one of the most difficult seasons in the club’s history.
In the depths of grief, we came together and responded like never before.
I am sure Aiden, like me is very proud of how we got through this season together.
At the recent Players meeting Michael Hird broke down the season into thirds, and the hard work and team effort paid off, with us securing more match points and league points towards the final third of the season, than we did in the first two thirds.
Evidence, if we ever needed it, that together we achieve more.

Thank You
So many people to thank.
Rob, Chay, Neal & Derek for always keeping us on the right track.
Never underestimate the work these guys do, mostly unseen, mostly never spoken about, always going about their business with Ross High RFC at the heart. Thank you.
All other committee members for their hard work, sympathetic ears, and words of wisdom. Thank you.
Our sponsors, many and from varied backgrounds, again often helping out unseen.
Clubs like ours could not survive without their continued support, and we must do better at acknowledging them. Thank you.
Our Coaching Colleagues, Senior & Youth, stepping up to the mark when it seemed no one would.
Making an impact and setting out BOLD ambitions for next season. Thank you.
Michael Hird, his youthful looks hide a mature and intelligent young man.
Working hard, always looking to learn, develop and take things forward. Genuine Sincere thanks Michael.
Our Members, for standing by the players, supporting our fundraising, and creating fantastic atmosphere pitch side and inside. Thank you.
Youth parents, for encouraging your children to attend, even when they think they don’t want to, for driving them round the region to play and train, for being there for them. Thank you.
Our Bar Staff lead by Wendy, working hard, often in addition to their main job and career to make sure the members and guests can enjoy every weekend. Thank you.
Our Players, of every age, gender, experience, team, and background. Your perseverance, your shifting shifts, your hard work, your sacrifice’s. Thank you.
You are why Ross High RFC exists, to provide an opportunity for all to experience and fall in love with our sport of rugby. At some point you will retire, unless you name is Tam Orr, but until then, we want you to experience all the fun, support, camaraderie that we older members experienced, and appreciate the rugby family can be for life, not just a season or two.
The unsung heroes, Colin Brown, Colin Mercer and others, always stepping up when something needs done, no fuss, no grumbles, just a let’s get it done attitude. Thank you.
Our Rugby Ambassadors, I won’t steal Michael Hird’s thunder, I would just like to say you are incredible, if more of us had your drive and enthusiasm, Ross High would be flying in every aspect.

Season 2024/25 and Beyond
Anyone who really knows me, has heard me say, “If You Always Do What You’ve Always Done, You Always Get What You’ve Always Got.”.
To take the club forward we need a plan, and we do, we have a plan on a page.
We don’t need lots of people on committees, what we need is lots of people willing to give up a few hours from time to time. Teams off the pitch as well as on it. If we all put a little in, if we all pushed a little harder, that stone, that stone would move, it doesn’t have to move fast, we must move it forward.
You might be sitting there thinking, I’ve done my bit, I don’t have time, what do I know about rugby, what do I get out of it? Click Here to get involved.
You can do a little, do what suits you, be part of the team that makes this club that people want to be part of, where they want to go, to play, to feel safe and included. I’m open to speaking to everyone who thinks they could give up a little time from time to time to help your club. Click Here to get involved.
I was at the SRU Game Conference in May with over 400 other delegates, every workshop I attended was presented to by club members like you and I, ordinary people who rolled up their sleeves and added a little to make things better. Click Here to get involved.
Like Jim Telfer said, you can look yourself in the mirror and say you’ve done your best.
Rob, Derek, Neal, Mikey, the rest of the committee and I, can’t do it all. We can help steer, offer training, support, offer advice, stand there with you. Who is going to stand with us? Click Here to get involved.
As I said, If WE Always Do What We’ve Always Done, WE WILL Always Get What We’ve Always Got.”.
Without change, we won’t get players in, we won’t grow our youth sections, we won’t income generate of fundraise, we won’t reach the masses, we will close. The thing is, we can do all of that, and we can thrive, together.

For example, some non-committee volunteer roles we are looking for help with…
A New Treasurer – We have an assistant treasurer, and we are looking at a new till system that may be able to interact with our accounting system, making the process more accurate and efficient. As well as possibly bringing a two tier pricing structure for members and non-members. Click Here to get involved.
Social Media Co-ordinator’s and Content Makers – Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat
Fundraising – Sponsorship – Volunteer Co-ordinator – Youth Convenor - Youth Coaches
Senior Player Recruitment Co-ordinator - Match Day Bar Staff (possibly paid in kind) – Match Day Raffle – Match Day Meals - Building Maintenance
We want teams to help, and work together, not just leave it to one person.
Click Here to get involved in one of the above teams.

Paid Roles
Relief Cleaners – Relief Bar Staff, especially during the week for funerals, etc, when our regular Bar Staff are at their main jobs. Click Here to get involved in one of the above teams.

Last, but not Least, CONGRATULATIONS TO ROSS HIGH LADIES’ HOCKEY CLUB. The first team defeated Boroughmuir 6-3 on the final day of the season to be crowned East District First Division champions. Meanwhile, their second team were 4-2 winners against Watsonians Colts to win the East District Fourth Division to make it back-to-back promotions after clinching the Fifth Division last term.
Rounding off a memorable season, they were also celebrating finishing top of the table in the Katherine Lambert Indoor Cup.

Thank you for taking the time to listen. ?

Mark Urwin
Proud President of
Ross High RFC
www.rosshighrfc.com

Blawearie Road
Tranent
EH33 2DB
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