Old Alleynian FC Tim Wood Secretary
to upgrade our facilities, particularly our pitches. However, while there have been many opportunities to move the Club forwards there have also been a series of challenges faced during the year. These have included a traveller eviction, subsidence repairs to the Clubhouse and other facilities maintenance. Despite these bumps in the road, we have remained solvent and maintained considerable success on the playing front. Our youth player numbers have continued to increase with a focus on player development. We have provided playing opportunities and community engagement to provide rugby for all., The U18s were Kent champions and missed out on drop goals from combining this with the 7s trophy. The success story of the season is arguably the OAs Girls teams, comprising nearly 100 participants. The U15 Girls lost in the Kent bowl final; an impressive feat considering a number of these players were experiencing their first ever season of rugby! The U13 Girls were not to be outdone; winning the Kent 7s tournament. On the Seniors’ field, for the 1st XV this was our second season in London 2 South-East and we were hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s dog
games which included a hard fought draw together with some poor results by our closest rivals saw us live to fight another season. Again we put out five regular sides (an excellent achievement for a club of our stature) with the 4s and Development Team, in particular, having excellent seasons. The Club seeks to continue with tradition and won the Boxing Day game against Old Whitgiftians, as well as a successful Past Players lunch. We believe the foundations for a bright future for OAFC are set, although there are significant challenges to ensure that our Dulwich Common facilities and grounds continue to support the sporting ambitions of OAs and the local community. Finally thanks must go to all our stakeholders, in particular Dulwich College and of course our volunteers whose tireless work every week is hugely appreciated by the officers of the Club. As a volunteer led organisation we have a role for everyone, from Coaching, First Aid, Safeguarding, Administration, Fixtures, Referees, Green Team and helping to run the Club’s Shop on a Sunday. If you would like to play or be involved in helping the Club, we would be pleased to hear from you; and if required training is available to support your volunteering.
This season the OAFC was extremely sad to see the passing of Club stalwarts, Rick Wilson and Ron Branscombe. Rick would no doubt have been delighted to be remembered through the inaugural “Rick Wilson Memorial Cup” played at the Club’s Fun Day in May. This saw the whole Club come together for a jamboree of youth and senior rugby, BBQs, beers and an excellent game contested for the Cup by the Club’s under 27’s vs over 27’s. Off the field, the 2016/17 season has been one of transition and facing unwanted challenges. The Club has taken significant first steps in a programme of modernisation, which the RFU is encouraging all junior rugby clubs to follow. Key elements of this include ensuring our constitution, committee structure, legal, accounting and tax status are updated and robust. One goal of these changes is to achieve RFU accreditation – which in turn will help us obtain funding
fight. Unfortunately with difficulties tying down a permanent coach, an injured skipper and a poor start to the season, despite a strong January, we struggled to avoid the lower end of the table. However, a couple of nail-biting
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