The focus since the end of the last rugby season has been to strengthen the senior playing squad to provide a very young group of exciting players, many of whom have been at Old Pats since they were at junior school, with support and guidance from a small group of experienced players. The local rugby landscape is very competitive with many clubs seeking to secure the services of the best players in the county. It has become apparent to all involved that the Old Pats aim of strengthening the squad will not be achieved in the short-term and the reality is that a number of players have decided to accept offers from other clubs.

We are a community rugby club that exists to enable the players we develop as juniors to reach their potential and gain the benefits achieved when playing the amazing team sport that rugby is. Achieving this outcome requires a safe environment which encourages participation and delivers enjoyment. It has become clear to us that expecting a group of young players to safely and successfully compete at Level 6 is unrealistic and in-fact asking them to do so would put their safety at risk and result in reduced participation and potential injury with significant implications for the players. This is not something that as a club we are willing to do!

With this in mind we have entered into open constructive dialogue with both GRFU and the RFU to explore the options available to us as a club. Sadly the only 2 options that exist are to carry on and hope that by some miracle the strength of the squad improves, people don’t get injured and we become competitive at Level 6 or to move down the league structure to play at Level 9 with the 2nd team playing at Level 10, this will ensure that all players experience competitive league rugby and provide a platform to re-build. Whilst neither of these is an ideal solution we have agreed with the GRFU and RFU that the safest option is to, reluctantly and with great sadness, request a league re-alignment to Level 9 and this is what we have done.

The reality is that at a Senior level the club does not currently have the infrastructure or ability to successfully compete at Level 6. We will focus all our efforts on learning the lessons from the past and creating an environment that will enable the club and the players to build and develop in a sustainable way that supports the aspirations to climb the league structure and deliver success on and off the pitch.

We are committed to learning these lessons and making the right investments that will support long term success. The club is financially very secure and has a fantastic junior section which has proven time and again that it has the ability to develop players who wear the shirt with pride and have the capability to develop even further. We will work tirelessly to support them and successfully build the club back to a higher level over time.

Whilst this is a very difficult period the initial and longer term benefits to the club are significant:

• We will be able to develop and retain the very young squad we have in a safer environment with the aim of securing promotions to the level we are best equipped to play at – this will be exciting and enjoyable for the players and support a positive environment.
• Playing at a lower level will be an easier transition for the current and future Colts to Senior rugby – this will help us ensure they enjoy themselves and more of them will keep playing.
• We will be able to dedicate our attention to establishing the environment and infrastructure to sustain future success – this will enable us to ensure that the Old Pats has a very bright future and continues to play an active role as an inclusive community club.

We would ask our members, supporters and past players to come and be part of shaping the future. The club relies on volunteers and whilst the decision has been hard to take we hope the project to build for the future will encourage new people to get involved.

Allez Le Pats

Matt Cape – Club Chairman