B R ANCH REPORT
Rugby
Namaste Rugby Branch would like to take this
opportunity to extend our heartiest congratulations to
Shree Prajapati Assoaction UK on its 40th Anniversary,
which its formation was thanks to the original members
from Coventry Branch who established a Samaj in 1974.
importance of diagnosing breast cancer as early as
possible, in order that appropriate treatment could
begin quickly, and how this new unit will play a vital
role in detection and care.
Rugby branch followed a year later in 1975, with Mr
Ambalal M Mistry being our first President.
They also will be particularly targeting women from
Black and Minority Ethnic communities, with a focus
on the Asian community.
Over this period the branch has achieved many goals
and milestones from raising funds for international and
local needs, to taking part in National and local events.
The dinner and dance raised a magnificent £1,500 for this
very worthy and much needed unit. Thank you for all the
kind donations and to those who supported this event.
These goals would not have been possible without the
dedication and contributions played by the many office
bearers, committee members, trustees and last but not
least, all of the members young and old who have all
contributed in some way or the other over the past 40
years for the Samaj.
Sports Day 2015 The town was proud and honored
to host the 37th annual SPA (UK) Sports Day here in the
town on Saturday 22nd August 2015. The event was last
hosted by the town 10 years ago, and back in 1977 was
home to the first ever SPA (UK) Sports Day.
The highlights over 2014 / 2015 The branch
can be very pleased to report on another successful
and memorable year, which saw a Bhajan and Bhojan
programme during the month of Shradhdh and a meet
and greet evening on our Bestu Varsh. However, the
focus on the two major events for the branch in the last
12 months were:
Dinner and Dance December 2014 With
breast cancer being the most common cancer in the UK,
a dinner and dance was held in aid of the UHCW charity
which is seeking to raise £400,000 for a new Breast
Cancer Unit, which will be based in Coventry for the
use of patients throughout Warwickshire and Coventry.
Using state of the art equipment and technology it will
enable the screening of over 50,000 women each year,
which could help save the lives of thousands of local
patients. Guest speakers from the hospital covered
many aspects of breast cancer but emphasised the
On a glorious sunny day, 400 enthusiastic competitors
from across the 13 UK branches partook in 8 different
sporting categories, across 4 venues.
Rugby branch sporting talents excelled once more in
taking top honors in Netball, Senior Football, Over
40’s Football, Pool, Darts Singles & Doubles, and Junior
Swimming. The day was crowned in the town being
awarded the Fair Play Trophy and “Chetan Trophy”
given to the branch with the most winners.
The event, which took over 9 months to organise and
plan (including many meetings) was supported by
nearly 100 local volunteers.
This is a tremendous achievement for a small town
like Rugby, and all of our volunteers and players made
Rugby proud. Well done to all the participants in all
their efforts, the fantastic supporters and not forgetting
all the volunteers in making it a truly outstanding
Sports Day.
Finally the committee would like to take this opportunity to
Thank all our members for their continued support and wish all
readers a Happy Diwali and Prosperity for the coming year.
Jai Shree Krishna, SPA (UK) - Rugby Branch
70