In an effort to better communicate activity around the club, we're looking to create a regular committee round up to share the previous month's activity with our membership. We'd love to hear any comments you may have on the process - get in touch by emailing marketing@basingstokerfc.com
Club Chairman’s Update – James Jagged
Continued follow-up following the AGM and ensuring actions, roles and committee responsibilities are carried through properly.
Continued liaison with Doug, Laurence and others around governance process, club communication and maintaining clear decision-making across the Club.
Significant involvement around the club in a number of aspects:
- Continued cautious approach to spending, particularly where projects involve facilities, systems or longer-term commitments.
- The Men’s Head Coach recruitment and the coaching structure around it
- Establishing clearer coaching pathways and prioritising coaching development across all ages for the upcoming season
- Continued liaison with Hampshire RFU and supported the Club’s ongoing relationship with the county
- Continued to help keep key issues moving ahead of the the new season.
- Supported ongoing Make Amends activity and wider volunteer-led improvements around the Club.
The Club remains in a positive position, but there is a significant amount to complete before the new season. The key priorities are now to ensure the rugby structure is clear, coaching and CCC arrangements are properly supported, membership and sponsorship issues are resolved, and commercial/facilities opportunities are followed through in a structured way.
As always, thank you to all volunteers, coaches, staff and committee members for their continued time, effort and support.
Treasurer’s Update – Helen Savage
Management accounts have been shared directly with the committee, with a full report to be shared at our Financial General Meeting once figures have been more closely interrogated.
Overall we are down on last year, but as discussed at the AGM there has been a lot of capital expenditure and repairs this year. Given the economic climate, I don’t think any of the numbers come as a surprise. Despite income being up, cost have risen at a higher rate – so this may need looking at.
Chair of Playing Update – Al McKenzie
A big month of news - we are delighted to have secured the services of Callum Anderson as Lead Coach for the Men’s Section, following the departure of Eric Liebenberg.
Eric’s resignation was not planned, and the event rocked the Men’s section of the club for a few weeks, but have come out strongly the other end.
Beyond this, there have been further appointments to the Playing structure since the end of the 2025/6 season – we are pleased to announce that Simon Hawthorne has been appointed Club Coaching Coordinator, taking the reins from Josh Vosakiwaiwai, Sharon Allen has been appointed Chair of Youth Playing and Kevin Paterson has taken a more formalised role as Chair of Men’s Playing.
Chair of Governance Update – Laurence Mottram
We are pleased to be progressing the implementation of a new EPOS system, which integrates directly with GMS. The exit from our current supplier is a protracted one, but will soon agree a migration date. Our new supplier aware and initial stock spreadsheets in progress.
End of Season Data Audit complete – large cleanup of old records, roles update and confirmation of non-members who want to remain on the system for comms.
RFU Martyn’s Law – our plan in place, need to finalise specific actions with Sinead. Awaiting feedback from Hampshire.
Chair of Clubhouse & Grounds – Phil Keiff
Quotes for new carpet/laminate for President’s bar received – it is to be determined whether we go with Vinyl, Carpet tiles or Carpet.
Development of an additional Honours Board to include Women’s captains, as well as an additional trophy cabinet.
Significant discussion with council around the irrigation, with new quotes received.
Committee Room Refurb – Ceiling complete, to be painted and Callum is ready to go with the carpet
Irrigation interim has been delivered to ensure the best possible playing surface on the Cage.
Chair of Marketing Update – Paddy Gilbert
Marketing of Club (non-rugby) activity:
- Creation of a club WhatsApp channel, where club members can get club news direct to their phones without needing to be on social media. Follow the Basingstoke Rugby Football Club channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDJia86LwHrKAaKOo3q
- Promotion of club events/news, including AGM, Make A-Mends, Age Group Fundraising events and a membership freeze for the 2026/7 Season
- Player Sponsorship (and SNAP) has gone live.
Marketing of Club (rugby) activity:
- Publishing Eric Liebenberg’s departure as Men’s Head Coach, and subsequent appointment of Callum Anderson as his replacement.
- Regular recruitment promotion for Men’s, Women’s and Girls sections
- Throwback to Basingstoke v Harlequins - Pilkington Cup 1993
- Promotion of T1 Rugby
- Started announcing Senior Men’s player retentions – more to follow including full coaching announcement, further retentions and new signings.
Chair of Commercial – Millie Harris
Joined the committee after taking over as Chair of Commercial from Stephanie Armstrong following the AGM
Produced a branded Sponsorship Package Matrix, alongside three completed sponsorship documents, Premium Partner Prospectus, Local Business & Trades Pack, and Social Media Content Pack to support outreach at different levels
Several meetings with local and national businesses to acquire further partnerships across the club, to benefit the club and its members.
Followed up with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council on the Community Infrastructure Fund, requesting flexibility after the deadline was missed during handover.
Membership Secretary/Chair of Youth Playing – Sharon Allen
Membership levels agreed for the 2026/7 season – testing conducted and ready to go. Holding on asking for membership renewals until August, to align with the RFU’s changeover to the new season.
A productive meeting was held with Youth TMs and Coaches, where any concerns/points could be raised in an open forum, with meetings to follow with Club Coaching Coordinator and Men’s Head Coach Callum Anderson.
U18 Girls have requested that they train and play with the Women’s section, pending safeguarding approval. Both Phil Della Savina and Simon Hall will support the Women’s coaching team.
Confirmed a one-year renewal with Canterbury for next season, with a better offer to club members. This will allow us to put together a proper tender document in the autumn and appoint a new supplier with ample time for production prior to the following season.
Safeguarding/Rugby Safe – Sarah Whatmore
The Minis Summer Activity sessions continue to be well attended and appear to be operating effectively. The girls' teams also continue to train on Sunday afternoons until the school holidays, and no safeguarding concerns have been identified during these activities.
Callum and I will complete the Howdens First Aid Risk Assessment and Medical Emergency ActionPlan during the summer period. These documents will help ensure that appropriate controls and emergency procedures are in place for the coming season.
