Our three men’s teams and Vixens ladies have now got games under their belts with a mixed bag of results. The satisfying thing however is that we regularly manage to get four teams out over the course of a weekend. Not many clubs can say that. Well done us.

Injury and unavailability have been common themes across our teams, but whenever players have been asked to step up a level or play in an unfamiliar position, they have done so without hesitation. We thank our Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby, coaches Lee Gash, Darragh O’Kelly, Chris Glenn, Chris Brown and our captains for all they do to get teams on the pitch. It’s a thankless task chasing players so we can all make their jobs easier by saying on the Spond app if we are available or not to play and train. And remember to pay your membership subscriptions, match fees and kit debts. We still have bills to pay every month. Talk to your captains or a management committee member if you are having difficulty.

There is some good news from our Vixens Cubs and Titans Juniors. Some of the Cubs went to Thurrock for the Essex Under-18 trials. Coach John Mulholland said they acquitted themselves extremely well. We hope some get the call up to the County squad but if not, it has boosted their confidence as they continue to transition into adult rugby with the Vixens.

You may have seen our Titans Juniors training on Tuesdays and Thursdays ahead of the main sessions. This group of youngsters aged from seven to ten is growing in number. We welcome them and their parents to the clubhouse and congratulate their coaches Graeme Jones and Stephen West for doing a great job introducing them to rugby. Hopefully we will be sending a group of them to Twickenham later this month for their first experience of international rugby.

In our previous newsletter we asked you to complete a survey offering your opinions about the club and what we can do differently or better. Thank you to those who joined the conversation and your responses are being discussed by the management committee. Overall, you say your experience of the club is excellent or good. Words that have been used are “lovely people” and “great community” which is positive feedback. There are some concerns about the bar areas and the service offered. We will be raising those matters with our landlords, East London Community Sports Association, in the hope that we can encourage more of you to stay behind after training and on match days. We will also be working to improve awareness of our mental health and wellbeing offer and where people can get support if they need it.

This weekend (9th November) as part of the commemoration of Remembrance, we will be honouring those who defend our democratic freedoms, as well as remembering the sacrifices of the Armed Forces community and civilians in two World Wars and in conflicts and acts of terrorism since. Games at the Memorial Ground in West Ham will begin with a period of silence and reflection and poppy wreaths will be taken on to the pitch. On the club website (www.eastlondonrfc.com) the Vixens Cubs are the public face of our commemoration this year because it is crucial that the younger generation actively participates in these observances to ensure that the memories of sacrifice are not forgotten.

One final thanks before we go is to all who played in the annual memorial match in October for our much-missed and loved former vice-chair Deborah Bird. Birdy’s family who joined us on the day were delighted that she continues to be remembered with fondness and have thanked us for the £350 that was raised for St Francis Hospice.

Don’t forget the club Christmas meal at the Boleyn Tavern in Upton Park takes place on 14th December. Watch the social media channels for how to book your spaces.

Sic parvis magna!

Nick and Kat
Co-Chairs
East London RFC