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 Chairman's Letter
Dear Supporter,
To those who
supported NEATH RUGBY in Season 2003/04, I sincerely thank you for your
continued backing. I trust that you enjoyed the season as it was among the
Club's most successful. To those whose support lapsed for some reason, I ask
you to read on and consider renewing your support of the WELSH ALL BLACKS.
It was with some trepidation that I
came on board last summer at the start of the new set up in Welsh rugby. I was
very much aware of NEATH's proud past and of the key role that rugby football
plays in the Town. However, I was determined that the WELSH ALL BLACKS should
immediately establish ourselves as one of the leading clubs in the new
semi-professional League.
With a top coach in Rowland
Phillips, a hard core of experienced senior players and many highly promising
youngsters, I expected us to do well. The WELSH ALL BLACKS played some
excellent, entertaining rugby and, ultimately, we finished second to Newport in
the League but we more than compensated by carrying off the Welsh Cup.
Our loyal supporters had a
wonderful day out at the Millennium Stadium on May 8th. The 36-13 victory over
Caerphilly was fully deserved and supporters celebrated with a great night back
at the Clubhouse to mark our fourth Cup win in the tradition of 1971/72,
1988/89 and 1989/90.
The achievements of 2003/04 have
given NEATH RUGBY a really solid base upon which to expand. But now it is time
to move on to the next stage of our development.
A start was made last season with
the refitting of the downstairs Lounge. We are developing a new range of
branded Neath and Ospreys leisurewear which will be available from August in
the new town centre Supporters' Shop in Old Market Street and which will stock
a wider range of NEATH RUGBY items than is presently possible.
The improvement of spectator
facilities is the next step. Many will have read recently in the newspapers of
our plans to develop THE GNOLL. It is intended to improve all four sides of THE
GNOLL and to increase overall capacity to 12,000. This will be almost double
the Ospreys' best crowd so far and will ensure that a fair share of regional
rugby continues to be played at THE GNOLL.
I firmly believe that there is a
lot more support out there for NEATH RUGBY than manifested itself last season.
People tell me that a season-ticket membership of 2,000 should not be beyond
us. We have set that as our target as it is the level of support that is needed
to keep NEATH RUGBY at the top.
We are therefore looking to expand
our membership packages for 2004/05 with a special emphasis on the family and
some excellent deals available. There will also be extra family-friendly
entertainment at games next year.
Support for our Lottery, run so
diligently for so many years by Arthur Bowden, is also crucial to our continued
success. Season-Tickets and Lottery applications are detailed in the attached
leaflets.
I am always ready to listen to new
ideas as to how we can increase our support. I understand that many were not
happy with the "plastic" season-tickets last year so we shall be returning to a
more traditional ticket this year.
In line with squad development,
there will be some changes on the field, our Match Programme (already among the
best in the Division) is to be expanded, a Yearbook is planned and our
community programme will be stepped up.
These are exciting times for the
WELSH ALL BLACKS so I urge you to renew your Season Ticket application and
return it as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Geraint Hawkes
(Chairman) |
