Sport In Profile UK Issue 11 | Page 29

MELBOURNE RFC He told us, “I have been involved since 1999 when I moved to Derby. I played first team rugby for approximately 10 years, and have played Vets and 2nd XV before semi retiring one year ago. I became Chairman in June of 2011 and have been in the role since. I moved to Derby from Warwickshire and wanted to join a club local to where I lived. “The challenge comes from pulling everything together. The management team is small and have to do a lot and work hard to achieve the efficient running of the club. The players are quite a young squad and do not take responsibility easily so the work falls on the few. “The most rewarding aspect is the teams playing well and winning and having fun. We achieved a very creditable 4th place in Midlands 3EN last season. We have placed a coaching team described as ‘best practice’ “The mood is positive here at the moment. After 15 years of planning, the footing are just about to start on a clubhouse as part of the Melbourne Sporting Partnership.” South Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 8GB by the RFU with a head coach, assistant coach, strength and conditioning coach and a physio in the last year. RFU floodlights were erected last year which are full match standard. “The mood is positive here at the moment. After 15 years of planning, the footing are just about to start on a clubhouse as part of the Melbourne Sporting Partnership. This will be a multisport facility including rugby, football, cricket and tennis and is a large project. “The FA and RFU have both supported this as well as the South Derbyshire District Council. The proposed finish is August 2017 and will include football pitches, rugby pitches, cricket, floodlit tennis as well as a floodlight 3G surface. “Our plans this season are to maintain and improve the current coaching system, strengthen the playing side and increase the numbers of players and teams from 2-3 this season at senior level. We also want to maintain www.pitchero.com/clubs/melbournerfc www.sportip.biz 29