Despite slow progress on the RGC1404 front, NWRU Chairman, Dai Davies reports on excellent progress in all other areas at AGM
Following is the Welcome and Chairman's Report from the NWRU AGM, held at Kinmel Manor, Abergele on Monday, 121th September:
(Estyn croeseo i Tony Gray ein Llywydd ag i Martyn Davies o’r Undeb.)
(Welcome Tony Gray, our President and Martyn Davies from the WRU)
Croeso cynnes i bawb, diolch o galon am ddod yma heno, mae’n bwysig iawn fod y clybiau yn cael ei cynerchioli yma, achos dyma’r fforwm i drafod beth sydd yn mynd ymlaen, a lle gewch chi fel cynyrchiolwyr y clybiau ddweud wrthem ni fel pwyllgor beth ddyliem ni wneud ar eich rhan chi.
A warm welcome to you all, thank you very much for your attendance this evening. It’s very important that clubs are represented, this is the forum where we can all discuss matters of concern to us, and where you as club representatives can tell your Executive Committee what they should be doing on your behalf.
Maddeuwch i mi ond mi gariaf ymalen yn Saesneg.
When I was elected to this position last year, I was full of hope, anticipation and optimism about the future of rugby in North Wales and RGC1404. Arrangements had been finalised between the Union and Conwy Borough Council regarding the proposed developments at Parc Eirias – exciting times indeed, and I am so pleased to say that this development really is going to be completed pretty well on time.
John Hardy, of Conwy Council, will give a presentation shortly on the Parc Eirias development so I won’t steal John thunder, suffice to say that all of us in North Wales owe a tremendous debt to Conwy Council for their initiative and ambition. I for one am certainly looking forward to watching rugby at Parc Eirias, I’m sure you’ll all feel the same – I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Parc Eirias and it is a fantastic venue, and the facilities superb and every bit as good as what is available for the National Team at The Vale - if your team is travelling along the A55, just ask the coach driver to make a slight detour, drive past the site – I guarantee you you’ll be impressed. John please take our sincere thanks back to your colleagues and councillors.
That aspect of the arrangement is working well, however I have to report that the finalising of matters on the pitch as regards the future of RGC1404 is not quite as far advanced as we had hoped it would be by this stage.
You’ve no doubt seen recent press releases in connection with the proposed appointment of a General Manager; playing in Division 1 East next season, which is very positive but we’re yet to agree any sort of timetable; what the fixture list actually is; terms of reference for the General Manager’s position and any financial implications.
We have a meeting arranged for next Thursday with the WRU when, hopefully, following that meeting, we will be in a position to make some definite announcements about the future of RGC1404.
I am pleased to say that the league and cup competitions were again played in a very competitive and sporting environment and I congratulate the winners of each league and cup competition. I was fortunate to be present at a number of these matches and much enjoyed the experience. Thanks to all the clubs for organising the finals.
I’d like to thank the members of the Executive for their hard work and dedication under very trying conditions, they will all be back for more next year, but we will probably be looking for some help as well – so don’t be surprised if you receive a phone call.
Again it’s a little unfair to mention names, but in this instance I will, we don’t always agree, but the amount of time, effort and mileage our Director of Rugby, Peredur puts in on our behalf is quite staggering, diolch o galon Pered, dwi’n falch iawn dy fod yn cario ymlaen – I’m very pleased that you will be continuing to represent us all.
One thing I was very concerned about was improving communication between all of us in North Wales, so I approached Gary Williams of Welshpool and asked him if he would accept the responsibility of reorganising our website – I’m sure you’ll all agree that what he’s achieved is nothing short of brilliant - and I’m sure I speak on behalf of you all when I say “Thank you very much Gary” and on Gary’s behalf thanks to all of you who contribute items, and a reminder to those who don’t, if you want your club featured then it’s a simple matter of letting Gary know. Do you know that the “hit rate” on the website averages over 20,000 per week (and rising) – that’s over 1,000,000 hits in a year – absolutely fantastic.
To so many other people, far too many to mention but the ones who organise the Junior and Youth sections, various sub committees who will present their reports, referees, referee organisers and advisors, women’s rugby, schools, the WRU staff, the list goes on - my grateful thanks to you all for your hard work and dedication.
We do have a tremendous future ahead of us, we all have a responsibility to grasp the opportunity presented to us – and for future rugby generations we cannot allow it to fail.
Thanks to you all, and every good wish for the coming season.
Diolch o galon i chi i gyd a dymuniadau gorau i’r tymor yma.
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