It is two years since we went into lockdown and the rugby season 2019/2020 was brought to an abrupt end after our last game against Harrogate. There was hope that we would play some form of rugby in the 2020/ 2021 season but as we all sadly know that never came to fruition.

This season has been a very challenging one for all concerned. After lockdown we lost a few players and we have also been devastated with some long term injuries, I would like to thank all the Coaches & Players for their continued commitment & effort this season, especially in the two lower teams; Birty & John Bridge for persevering with the 2nd XV, dragging players out from were ever they could & also Clive & Kremen in the 3rd team who on occasions have even turned up with only 5 players to some away games where the opposition have helped out so at least getting a game.

It has been very challenging but they haven’t thrown the towel in and hopefully both teams will finish the season without any more concedes.

Next season we’ll see the new league structure that the RFU have been trying to adopt over the last 2 to 3 years finally come to fruition. The aim is to reduce travelling and improve player welfare, so it will see us in a 12 team league as opposed to 14. It will still be Level 5 and will be called “Regional 1E”. We will be travelling from Kendal in the north down to Lymm and Sandbach in the south as it stands with present league positions. Otley and Preston Grasshoppers will get promotion to level 4 and we will also lose the eastern teams Alnwick, Billingham, York & Sandal. We will be gaining Stockport, Manchester, Sandbach and Kendal from Level 6.

So, the main question is where Rossendale Rugby Club goes from here to ensure we have a successful season next year. There are three main areas we must concentrate on during the closed season.

Player retention & recruitment,
Social media to raise the Clubs profile
The continued development of our pitches etc.

1. Player retention & recruitment
I feel it is essential to try and maintain all 3 Teams in the respective league structures to maintain the competitive edge that league rugby brings, this will not be easy but we have some exciting announcements to make in the next few weeks, but it is also up to everybody to try & persuade players who have left, for what every reason, to return to our Club & great game.

2. Social media
This is an area that we as a committee need extra help on, the average age of the committee must be over sixty, so we need some young blood to develop this side of the Club. We have to move the Club into the 21st Century but we need your help, we need better coverage in the Local Paper and a regular news bulletin.

3. Pitch development
We are in the process of completing the upgrade to the flood lights on Meadowhead. The lights have all been upgraded to LED thanks to a Sports England grant and to LBS for their work. This should make a significant improvement to winter training.
We are also about to start work on new drainage to the 1st Plateau above the Club House this will hopefully give us an extra pitch for the junior section that can be used most of the year round.

We are no different to many Rugby Clubs in the country that have suffered due to the pandemic, but we must now all work together, both young & old, to ensure Rossendale Rugby Club survives and succeeds in the years to come.

I would like to thank everybody for their support over these difficult 2 years especially our loyal Committee.
Keep safe & enjoy the rest of the season.
Nick
Chairman