Rugby Club Issue 75 | Page 61

East Grinstead Your local safety, fleet and property risk experts and proud sponsors of East Grinstead Rugby Club. Onwards! Safety and DSE • Global leaders in safety e-learning and DSE and ergonomics software Property and Insurance • Providing risk management services for properties and insurers Fleet Risk • End-to-end fleet solutions from risk assessment software to consultancy our facilities in place we are a venue for parties, weddings, wakes, everything really and that’s proving to be successful and is also helping to grow our reputation. “From a playing point of view, things are going well and we’re well set up to give people a chance to play the game at the level that is right for them. Our first and second teams were both promoted last year and have started the new campaign really well. “We are in a good league for the skillset our players have now and the level of competition has become more of a challenge so now it is down to the players to continue to improve. The next league up would again be another step up in quality. I’d like to see both sides win promotion this season and also to see the third team continue to develop whilst attracting enough numbers to set up a fourth team. “Youth rugby is hugely important to us. It’s a very important part of our structure, our finances and our one club mentality. That is something that I’ve really tried to focus in on; this is not a senior club with a junior section, this is a community rugby club that caters for everyone from six to sixty six. “One of the biggest challenges for us is the press about the dangers of the game; touch wood we haven’t had serious injuries here and I firmly believe that the value of rugby is beyond just the playing of the game. It really is a sport that can add something to people’s lives. “Five years from now I want to see us as a club with sufficient funds to weather any storm, with four men’s senior teams, two senior ladies teams and to continue to see a thriving minis section. Most importantly I want to see us as an asset to East Grinstead, the town that we are proud to be part of.” “One of the biggest challenges for us is the press about the dangers of the game; touch wood we haven’t had serious injuries here and I firmly believe that the value of rugby is beyond just the playing of the game. It really is a sport that can add something to people’s lives.” www.rugbyclubmag.com 61