“ 2015 / 2016 has been another memorable year for SPA Rugby, with the highlights below”
Rugby
“ 2015 / 2016 has been another memorable year for SPA Rugby, with the highlights below”
Eye Camps in Vyara and Shamgaham, Gujarat.
In February 2016, SPA Rugby sponsored 2 separate Eye Camps which were overseen by REI of Navsari.
The first Eye Camp was in Vyara in the Tapi District and was attended by Khushalbhai, Sumitraben, Dolatbhai, Bhanuben, Vasanji, Nirmalaben, Revaben and Parbhubhai.
The camp had 355 patients screened from which 205 patients had corrective eye operations and a further 73 patients were given glasses to correct their vision.
The second eye camp in Shamgahan, district of Dang, was attended by Khushallbhai, Sumitraben and Nikhil. At this camp, 732 patients were screened, from which 327 patients had corrected eye operations and 97 patients were given glasses.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who have donated and the volunteers who assisted at the Eye Camps over the years to make them a success.
Bournemouth Trip
In late June 2016 a coach trip was organised to the seaside town of Bournemouth. Athough we set out in the rain, on arrival, the sun came out to enable all to have a great day out beside the sea.
Dinner Dance
To mark 40 years of SPA( UK) a 70’ s themed Dinner Dance was held at the end of 2015, with many of the guests dressed and styled in 70’ s outfits, which was fantastic to see. During this event £ 500 was raised towards the SPA( UK) Nepal Disaster fund which now, collectively, stands at a magnificent £ 20,000.
Also during 2015, the annual Shradh Bhajan Bhojan programme, and the meet and greet evening on Bestu Varsh, were both well attended.
Sports Day
In 2015 the Sports Day was hosted by the town for which we can be proud of our volunteers and participants excelling both on and off the field. In the 2016 Sports Day we only took top spot in the Men’ s Pool plus runners up in Darts Doubles. Once again our participants did tremendously well in the sports they played.
On a sad note, Vinodbhai Govindbhai Mistry passed away on 2nd June 2016 after being diagnosed with multiple Myeloma two years ago. Vinod had served the Samaj in many roles over the years, from being National Youth leader in 1992 and 1993 to being branch secretary in 1996 and then onto president in 1998. On the sporting front he was always an eager sportsman in the many sports he took up which he would bring to Sports Day over the years. He will be dearly missed and may his soul rest in peace.
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
80 vol. 41 | Prajapati Sandesh 2016