February 2014 – Issue 1

PAT WILSON – CHAIRMAN UNCOVERED ITS 2014 AND

6 months into this voluntary role, and what an eye watering roller coaster WE’RE BACK! experience. I knew I would need support and I am delighted that former Chairman Trevor Stephenson has been on hand with words of We have a fantastic club here at encouragement and insight, and the Operations Management team are Hull Ionians but some basic adopting to my own style of leadership, and with all this happening I research over autumn 2013 remain married, and have recently become Grandpa Pat – the odyssey will identified that we have lots continue! Being in National 1 was always going to be a financial challenge, happening at Park but I am pleased we continue to manage the clubs finances as our own but not a lot of our members were cash, and we are all born and breed folks so inappropriate up to date. Not surprisingly we spending doesn`t get a look in. We continue to need more revenue, and a concluded that we need to number of new sponsors have come on board and they have pledged long improve communications. So I term support. We now also have a new part time marketing support, decided to relaunch the club newsletter with the help of Emma Emma Richards, who is doing as well for us as her other half Matt, does for Richards. Primary distribution will bar takings. Being chairman in National 1 rugby is brilliant, and both Sally be via email but will print copies and I have enjoyed many trips away – last weekend in Richmond being one for those members who would like such experience. Disappearing into the early hours with the Stephenson’s them – this obviously keeps costs was very enjoyable and as you would expect Hewitt senior disappeared to a minimum. Emma is a natural early to re-stock his ice-cream van – goes with his jacket! choice to help co-ordinate the newsletter due to her working Keep enjoying the National 1 experience, and I know my pals Sean, Steve part time for the club on Events and the squad will fight to the bitter end for it to continue. and Marketing activities but more significantly is an active and well respected Manager of the mini Pat junior section with 2 boys currently playing. I on the other hand as most of you will know have held most posts within the club over the years and like to Pat BUSINESS @ BRANTINGHAM PARK think I can add knowledge and HAVE YOU HEARD THE DEAL? expertise! In this first issue we have a few things to tell you about but we would welcome Here at Brantingham Park there are lots of changes happening – contributions from any of our one of which is the Business Conferencing Packages. All 3 members on any subjects subject meeting suites have been recently refurbished and during to the commentary being legal January and February 2014 we are offering new customers and relevant! It would be great to discounted delegate rates for any conference booked. hear your feedback and what you Breakfast Meeting Delegate Rates start at just £10 a head or the would like to see and hear about Saver Daily Delegate Rate which start at just £13.50 a head - moving forward. We really hope minimum number of 10 applies. Why not give us a TRY! Call the you enjoy it and many thanks to those who have contributed. office to book your meeting today on 01482 667342. Regards - David Hewitt –Editor

Any articles, questions or queries regarding In Touch please email to either David Hewitt [email protected] or Emma Richards [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE 2014 HOLDINGS – WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT?

15 February I suspect that a lot of members don’t really understand the structure of the 1st XV v Blackheath @ Home club. The Holdings Company (Hull Ionians RUFC (Holdings) Ltd) is made up of Pre Match Lunch £20 24 members who are elected by the members of the Rugby Section of the club. (Includes Admission) The Rugby Section of the Club is made up of the Life Members, Vice Presidents and Rugby Members (both playing and non playing) of the Club. In order to be

elected as a member of Holdings you must have played rugby for one of the 18/19 February three constituent clubs – Hull Ionians RUFC, Ionians RUFC or Hull and East Mini Junior Rugby Camp Riding RUFC. Holdings owns the land and buildings at Brantingham Park. The 2 Days business of the club is conducted by Hull Ionians RUFC Ltd which is a wholly Pre Registration Required owned subsidiary of Holdings. The members of the Holdings Company elect a board of directors from among their number and those directors can appoint up 21 February to 3 Non Executive Directors. The current board is as follows: Animal Welfare Quiz Night David Barraclough – Chairman, Keith Gregersen – Secretary, Roger Gosling, Dudley Moore, Geg Oxley, Adrian Fowler, Ian Parsons – Non Executive Director 22 February and Trevor Stephenson – Non Executive Director This Board has over 300 years of membership between them. Holdings own the Yorkshire Cup Game land and buildings and, as many of you will have spotted, we have just sold a Friends & Family - £25 strip of land to the Wolds & Riverbank Countryside Society who already own the copse alongside Brantingham Road. They have planted over 400 trees and 1 March shrubs along the boundary and will in time be fencing it. This sale raises much Beer & Folk Festival needed funds to help us maintain the grounds and buildings – maintaining our facilities doesn’t come cheap and reserves have run extremely low in recent 7 March years – and we hope that the sale will have very little impact on the day to day U10s Fab Fundraiser running of the club. Live Music – Ordinary Men Some of you will have attended the recent pre match lunch at which Johnie Whitely MBE was our guest speaker. That lunch raised £1400 towards our club 8 March st refurbishment fund and we would like to thank everyone who attended and 1 XV v Fylde @ Home donated. Pre Match Lunch £20 (Includes Admission) Keith Gregersen Secretary 29 March 1st XV v Tynedale @ Home Pre Match Lunch £20 (Includes Admission)

11 April Annual Sportsman’s Dinner WATCH THIS SPACE!

12 April 1st XV v Rosslyn Park @ Home Pre Match Lunch £20 (Includes Admission)

11 May Both Hull Ionians U9 and U10 squads won the regional round Mini Junior Presentation Day of the Lexus Tournament played at Old Brods in November 2013. Both teams are now travelling to Sixways Stadium, 14 June Worcester on Sunday 13th April to play in the Grand Final! Annual Summer Ball Good luck boys – we’re all behind you!

Editor – David Hewitt - [email protected] Events & Marketing – Emma Richards – [email protected] General Enquires and Bookings Please Call 01482 667342

Mini Junior Section – Message From Tony Walker (MJ Chairman)

Hull Ionians Mini Junior section is regarded as one of the best in the region for its set up and player numbers. We are currently operating with around 250 children, ranging from our recently assembled under 6 squad through to the under 17’s. Our Mini teams are looking very strong this season Running of the Mini Junior section is a constant financial battle and the need to consistently try and raise funds is ongoing through various activities, such as our recent Christmas Quiz night, which was a huge success and enjoyed by all, but we require more all year round, therefore should any parents wish to sponsor our section or arrange a fund raising activity, please come forward and let us know. Coming out in early January, will be a request for everyone to sell the RFU raffle tickets, these help the club enormously, as 90% of the ticket price comes back to the club, each ticket will be priced at a pound, so let’s have a big push on the sale of them. We need each age group to nominate a fund raising volunteer, to assist with others to hold events at the club or encourage their own team to support other age grades in the bid to increase the Mini Junior funds, which ultimately result in better equipment for the section.

Our yearly end of season presentation day will be held on Sunday 11th May 2014 at 10.30am with the mini’s having theirs in the morning, followed by the juniors in the afternoon with a dinner We are always open to new players, so if your son or daughter wishes to play rugby, please bring them along on a Sunday training day 10.30am -12.00 noon

WHO’S WHO? SPECIAL DATE FOR THE DIARY ARE YOU UP FOR THE DOUBLE WHAMMY?

SPORTSMANS DINNER – FRIDAY 11TH APRIL 2014 £37.50 a ticket Black Tie/Suits 4 Course Meal Key Rugby Speaker – Nigel Redman Quality Comedian Great Rugby Club Atmosphere

How many faces do you recognise? Win OR THE DOUBLE WHAMMY for £57.50 which includes yourself a bottle of wine from Hewitt’s Sportsman’s Dinner and a 2 course lunch and entrance Cellar by submitting your list of names by to the last game of the season in National 1 Rugby Friday 14 February 2014 to David Hewitt playing Rosslyn Park on 12 April 2014. [email protected] I have a vision that this could be an outstanding weekend – to finish off the dinner in the early hours of the morning, a sleep over in the downstairs bar, cooked breakfast at 0900 hours, Bloody Marys to energise the system then start all over again!!!!! For Further Information Contact David Hewitt or book your tickets by calling the office.

Editor – David Hewitt - [email protected] Events & Marketing – Emma Richards – [email protected] General Enquires and Bookings Please Call 01482 667342

VACANCIES @ BRANTINGHAM PARK SOMETHING FOR THE GIRLS COME AND JOIN THE FUN!

Marketing and Communications Director A position appointed at the AGM by the Did you know that Hull Ionians set up a rounders team as part of membership, and a senior officer/Director the East Riding League last year? The league is currently made up working within the Operations Board, of 8 local teams and is played by Rounders Rules. The reporting directly to the other directors and season runs from May through to September with home games Operations Chairman, Pat Wilson. Key played on a Tuesday evening at 7pm. Hull Ionians Ladies contributor for agreeing the income base for Rounders Team currently has 20 registered players. They are the annual budget and motivating volunteers always looking for new team members whether that’s playing, and paid staff in the execution of the annual umpiring (pre-season course provided) or have experience in income plan, and keeping delivery costs coaching then please contact Sally Wilson on 07827921715 or within agreed budget levels. There are some email [email protected] really creative people in the Marketing team, and we have a lot of fun agreeing new ways of working and generating business. The current Director, Graham Cross will step down at the AGM in June 2014. Ideally the successor will be in situ to shadow Graham, from March 2014. There is an outline plan for 2014/15, and the new appointee will add the necessary detail to the plan for adoption at the June Operations Directors meeting. All expressions of interest in the first instance to Graham Cross.

Registrar Sue Tempest has cajoled and pressured many members over many years to pay up on their annual subscriptions. And we all know what A brand new event for all current and past members/players with 3 a marvellous job that she has done which clear objectives – we want to have fun and improve our health and seems like forever. Malcolm wants more of fitness levels, covers all sections – one club mentality, and a Sue going forward! So with effect from June fundraising target is £10K to be spent exclusively on rugby 2014 we need someone to step into this development. There are 3 activities in all triathlons and we will start voluntary role. The role falls into 2 key with swimming at South Hunsley Sports Centre, then a bike ride and a activities. The start of July and for 3 to 4 run starting and finishing at Brantingham Park. We intend to have a 6 months there is a peak of activity getting person team structure covering all age groups from Under 8’s in the members to renew; and throughout the year Mini Juniors through to the old fart brigade in the bar! It means that a continuous activity bringing on board new there will variable distances for each activity according to the age members. The club data systems need group. There will also be a 3 person family team category enabling regularly updating and all this according to Mum, Dad and a child all to participate. At this stage please make a Sue takes up on average 2 to 3 hours a week. note in your diary of 7th September 2014 which was the unanimous Therefore if you like dealing with people, and preferred date for the mini junior section who will also use the enjoy coming down to the club regularly and time at the finish point, Brantingham Park for season 2014/2015 have a passion for keeping our foundations registrations. We have a strong team of mainly former MJ Chairman strong, then please speak directly with Sue and friends/parents comprising Peter Hewitt, John Clayton, Mike for information about the role and also direct Humble, Graham Cross, Neil Jenneson, David Hewitt (Organiser). to either Pat Wilson or Graham Cross being the joint reporting lines at Board level.

Editor – David Hewitt - [email protected] Events & Marketing – Emma Richards – [email protected] General Enquires and Bookings Please Call 01482 667342