September 2007 Newsletter

Dear all,

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON! We officially kick off on 9^th September for Under 8’s through to Under 15’s, a week later on 16^th September for Under 18’s. We will display fixtures when we receive them. They will also be given to all coaches. We have received confirmation of our booking of Roils Head for the season, at times to suit us – not the possible afternoon only use which was a slight possibility. The changing facilities will be available for us each Sunday. We are querying if they can also be used on other days when we are training up there. We will be hosting our after match facilities at the Irish Centre in town. We have Sue running the kitchen for us once again.

We are also contacting local schools to see what is available for midweek training during the darker months. As previously, we will be asking for a contribution towards these additional costs from the players that are using them.

MEMBERSHIP -As a committee we agreed, some time ago, to pay for the first membership of the Irish Centre for our players’ parents who will be attending the Centre on a regular basis. These memberships are £4.00 each. Yearly renewals, which must be paid, are the responsibility of each member. The Club will ONLY pay for the first membership this season. To enable us to give basic details for membership there is a reply slip at the bottom of this newsletter. YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS AND RETURN IT TO YOUR CHILDS COACH URGENTLY so we can obtain membership cards for you. Relatives of players that will be using the Centre on a regular basis following matches MUST become a member. We as a Club will not be paying for these memberships. We can however, upon receipt of £4.00 arrange membership for any person who would like us to do so. Please contact Vicky MacDonald, tel 833923, for further details. We are sure you will all appreciate we need to look after the monies in the Clubs account. Our expenditure this season is greater than previously. These memberships ensure our use of the facilities and enable members to gain bookings of the large function room at a reduced cost.

CLUB SPONSORSHIP -You may have noticed the list of Club Sponsors detailed above has grown! We have several new sponsors who have kindly come on board enabling new kits to be purchased for all 10 Halifax Irish ARLFC teams!!! One design for all – Under 8’s through to Open Age. Our thanks go to these sponsors. How magnificent is it for us as juniors to have new kits within months of our new start merging with the Halifax Irish Open Age teams? As a committee we feel this is an outstanding achievement. We would also like to thank our committed existing sponsors who have remained with us during the recent changes. Your support is most appreciated always, and we do appreciate the kind sponsorship you have provided us with.

It has been agreed that the new kits purchased last year, which are still in very good condition, can be sold for a small donation to the Club of £3.00 per kit. Once we have the new kits we will advise further.

Paul Emmett from Yorkshire Timber Merchants has forwarded a letter for issue to you all as parents, thanking us as a Club for allowing them to become our sponsor and inviting anyone interested along to a breakfast meeting. This letter is attached for you. Should you be interested in going along please advise Vicky MacDonald so approximate numbers can be advised to Paul.

CLUB LAUNCH NIGHT -The date of 12^th October has been provisionally booked as our official launch night of the new kits. (This will be confirmed once we have a definite delivery date of the kits – we are expecting them at the end of September so there shouldn’t be a change of date) All kits will be displayed. All sponsors will be invited to the evening as our way of thanks. The press will also be invited. How much coverage could we get from such a huge event? You are all invited also. We need to show what our Club is all about! It should be a great opportunity to boost our recruitment for the season – and more! Club items, such as tracksuit tops, polo shirts, hats etc will also be on display. These items are available from Griffin Sports based in the Piece Hall. Deborah will be around on the evening to take orders. We will also be organising some entertainment for the evening – possibly a quiz. Further details will be advised.

CHILD PROTECTION -As a part of our commitment to the RFL implementing Child Protection Guidelines, Michael Bruce – our Child Protection Officer, has devised a guideline fact sheet for all parents which is attached to this newsletter. Please take the time to read this notice. It has been designed to help you and us as coaches/committee members, to work together to ensure the safety of all players. Should you have any queries regarding this, Michael’s contact details are on the sheet. Also attached is a new style Club registration form. This too needs completing and returning to the coaches urgently so we can ensure all coaches have the most up to date information. Should any of your details change later in the season please contact Vicky MacDonald for another form so we always have your contact details.

ALL of our volunteer’s coaches and committee members are asked to complete a fully enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check in accordance with RFL policies.

STARS IN YOUR EYES – November 24^th, £5 ticket – adults only! The Open Age are again holding this popular evening. Sorry players this one is for the adults – you will be invited to other events! Could you be a willing act? More are needed! Auditions are being held very soon. It isn’t as serious as it sounds. This should be a very enjoyable evening for all attending! Tickets will be on sale soon.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES – the dates of 2^nd and 9^th December have been booked. Further details will be advised closer to these dates.

CHRISTMAS PANTO – the theme of which is currently being kept secret!! Could you be a budding actor? Again further details to follow.

GENERAL NEWS -We will have a notice board in the Irish Centre – keep an eye for updates. OR if you have e~mail, please ensure Vicky MacDonald has your address – updates are sent out quite regularly.

We are again going to set up a boot box. Do you have any old boots that are still in good condition? Please pass them on to a committee member (in a clean state please). We can then recycle them. This also goes for old shoulder pads/shin pads etc. We can help other players through this scheme. It has worked successfully for us previously.

We have a new website!!! www.halifaxirish.co.uk Thanks to Gavin Davies for the set up – he has put many hours into the site so we are ready for the season start. Could you be interested in taking on the role of website manager? You will obviously need internet access and e~mail to receive regular updates for the site. Please consider this role, it needn’t take too much of your time. Let Vicky MacDonald know if you are interested.

Thanks also must go to Michelle Davies who has spent much time ensuring all of our teams’ first aid kits are up to date and replenished. A very necessary role!

We would as a Club like to congratulate John Baker from J & B Construction, a new sponsor, on the recent early but safe arrival of Charlie Benjamin!

We also wish Chris Taylor, U18’s player, a speedy recovery. Chris unfortunately broke a leg recently. We wish you well and hope to see you around often!

Here’s to a great season!