6th May 2020 Dear Member, I hope this finds you well and that all members and your families remain safe and healthy. In these strange and unusual times, sport may be the last thing on your mind and there is little doubt that your physical and mental health are far more important. However, as we all become accustomed to social distancing and other lock down related realities, I’d like you to know that the Executive Committee are busy working behind the scenes to ensure that Gorey RFC is ready for the return to normal life, whenever that may be. The Executive Committee has met by Zoom for its April meeting and will continue to do so until face to face meetings are possible. We also instigated contact with all other clubs in Leinster to try to share ideas, concerns and initiatives. As a result, Gorey RFC initiated a Whats App forum for Clubs to share these details and this is proving very useful and helpful.
Safety The Club House building has been secured from access and all facilities are not available for members. We have also arranged for the main gate to be locked and relevant signage to be erected.
Finances The Clubs financial income stopped almost overnight in early March. We reacted immediately by implementing very tight controls over expenditure and we also applied to the IRFU Club Continuity Fund for assistance. That fund has been put in place to allow Clubs to request emergency funding and a decision relating to our application is expected in mid May. We are monitoring any opportunities to reduce costs further and hope to avail of any actions by utility and insurance providers to offer rebates. We will continue to encourage members to support our sponsors and advertisers through our social media channels and website. We are a community and we need to support our sponsors and advertisers just as they support us, now more than ever. We have decided to sell all bar stock consisting of bottled beers, soft drinks and confectionery to liquidate the stock and to ensure that it doesn’t go out of date. A sale of this stock will be announced to members soon and your support is appreciated. It is intended that stock will be sold at supermarket prices and, don’t worry, none of it is out of date!
AGM, Player Awards & Dinner Dance Unfortunately, this time of year is when we usually come together to celebrate and reflect on our year. With COVID 19, these key events have had to be postponed or cancelled completely which is a very difficult but necessary decision. It is hoped that we can hold a Club Dinner Dance later in the year and that we will also get an opportunity to rearrange end of year awards. However, we have agreed to proceed with our Youth Player Awards in a remote format so expect to see the results announced over the next couple of weeks.
Ruggo Due to social distancing requirements, we have been unable to hold the monthly Ruggo draw as usual, as this requires 3 Members to witness and authenticate each draw. It is our intention to hold a draw for every month missed when we can so no one misses out on the opportunity to win.
Building Work on New Dressing Rooms As you know, all construction work stopped in Ireland in late March. Unfortunately, this means that the Clubs plan to start building the new dressing room building (which includes showers, shop and referee facilities) have had to be suspended for the moment. However, we are keen to ensure that this vital piece of infrastructure in the club is built as quickly as possible, without compromising safety. We are ready to get going on this project as soon as we are able to.
What Next? We are using the recently published Government “Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business” as our roadmap for the Club. This suggests that rugby will resume on August 10th and we will make our plans accordingly. This is also a key milestone for when we are likely to hold our postponed AGM. Will it be “business as usual” in September…time will tell. We will endeavour to be prepared for whatever version of “normal” we are permitted come September and we will keep in close contact with Leinster Branch and all Clubs in the Province to ensure that we are adequately prepared. As Club Chair, I commit to staying in touch with Members on a regular basis and keeping the Club safe and secure, both physically and financially. Next season may not be a season like usual ones but, if we stay united as a Club, we will pull through the pandemic and come out the far side safer, stronger and even better than before.
Stay Safe.
Yours in Rugby,
Declan Gibney
Chair | 
