 |
| Paddy Elliott |
In this our 75th Year, it is an honour and a privilege for me to have been elected President of Greystones Rugby Club. As I look back at the list of the past Presidents since I joined Greystones in 1963, when Dr Hickey was our President, I feel humbled to follow such a distinguished list of members to be honoured with this office. I look forward to the challenges of the next year and I can assure you that I will not be lacking in enthusiasm, commitment or involvement.
We, in Greystones Rugby Club are very fortunate to have such a high calibre of members and faithful volunteers at all levels, and to be located in what is now a very well developed and enlarged community. Consistent with our reputation for being a friendly and hospitable club, we provide a very welcoming club for the local community and draw from that growing population to develop our club even more in the future.
Congratulations to all concerned for having been promoted to division 2A last year. In this World Cup year, this promotion presents a very challenging year ahead both financially and in playing numbers. Pressure will be on our first team as the shop window of our club. With the continued stewardship of our fantastic coaching team, brilliantly led by Reggie Corrigan, we can indeed be very optimistic for the coming year. To team Captain Barry Holmes and the squad, I wish them an enjoyable, memorable, injury free and successful rugby season. Thanks to Rickey Wogan, Director of Junior Rugby, and all of the team captains, coaches and managers for the huge amount of time and commitment they give to fielding teams each week.
The Youth Section holds the key to the future of our club. We are very fortunate to have over sixty dedicated coaches and a band of volunteers that give freely of their time, brilliantly led by Garry Nolan, who look after more than 500 young people. These volunteers have nurtured and coached the love of rugby in our club from the age of seven upwards in a warm, friendly and happy atmosphere. Many of these young people have progressed to representing us on our 1st team.
I appreciate that Chairman Peter Butler and the executive are staying on next year to guide our club through what will be a very challenging year. I acknowledge the huge commitment that they give to our club. The professionalism and expertise they bring to everything that they do is to be admired and respected and for that we owe them a great debt of gratitude.
I look forward to working with Eddie Lonergan. He deserves the support of all of our members for all his endeavours in organising events for the benefit of our club and members.
Our sponsors, both corporate and individual are a vital part of our Club. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to them, especially in these difficult economic times, for their continued support and interest in our Club. I recommend our members to support them in their business whenever possible.
I extend a warm “Greystones” welcome to all our visiting teams and supporters and hope they have an enjoyable and memorable visit to our Club.
I wish every success to all of our teams. Rugby is also about friendship, I wish you all a happy year filled with memorable times of rugby and friendships new and renewed. I look forward to meeting you during the year.
Paddy Elliott
President 2011 - 2012 |
