Always looking to improve things

At Grasshoppers we are keen on improving things for members, volunteers, players… everyone. To help us do this it would be great if you could complete an on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire is anonymous and will only take 5 minutes to complete. The information will be analysed by the RFU and the results discussed with the club.

Please take the time to complete the questionnaire (link below) and please mention it to anyone else who has experienced Grasshoppers, even your teachers, ex-members etc. Your feedback is truly welcomed and important to us.

Grasshoppers are awarded Whole club Seal of approval

Grasshoppers RFC have confirmed their status as a flagship rugby club by becoming the first in the London & South East region, and the third in England, to receive the RFU's Whole Club Seal of Approval. The award recognises outstanding effort and achievements by volunteers in achieving high standards of developing and sustaining rugby union at their club. Grasshoppers have followed Windsor in Berkshire and Ilkley in Yorkshire in achieving the Whole Club award. It was introduced by the RFU in 2009 to build on the existing Mini & Youth Seal of Approval which recognised provision of youth rugby.

The new Whole Club accreditation demands evidence of good practice in areas including club management, player development and recruitment, child protection, sports equity, coaching and refereeing, as well as the recruitment and management of volunteers.

"Our volunteers are a real strength of the club," said Matt Gilmore, Grasshoppers' director of rugby. "As every sporting club around the country would acknowledge, the week to week tasks would never get done without quality volunteers and we are lucky to have plenty of them.

"Our approach has been to break down all the jobs into chunks which made them manageable. People with full-time jobs get involved by allocating a half-hour or two hours a week, or whatever suits them best. There is a logistics team which makes sure the kit is in the right place at the right time; one of the young players' mothers is the treasurer for the senior sides, and so on.

"The RFU's Whole Club Seal of Approval belongs to all those people, and we are not standing still as we have plans to recruit another 60 volunteers in the next few months."

The lesson of this good practice is that it encourages and sustains participation in sport, and Grasshoppers stand as a fine example. The club runs teams from Under-7s all the way up to U19 colts, as well as U15 and U18 girls' sides. They also run three senior sides and a veterans team, with hopes that a fourth senior side may play next season.

Phil Duffy, RFU rugby development officer for Middlesex, said: "Grasshoppers are very supportive of the RFU and extremely pro-active in the Middlesex community. The club has a huge mini and youth section, and to be able to link in with all the other sections and be a 'Whole Club' is a fantastic achievement. They have also lodged a bid for Sport England funding which aims to make Grasshoppers a community sports club with first class facilities."

Grasshoppers' Whole Club award follows on from their Mini & Youth Seal of Approval achieved in 2007, and a 2009 RFU President's XV award for Social Inclusion, when the club staged a league and festival for 44 primary schools and worked with 10 secondary schools and two special needs schools to deliver hundreds of hours of coaching, alongside the local borough's sports development team. Grasshoppers were also one of nine English rugby clubs to receive a Year of the Volunteer Award in 2005.

Andy Lees, the RFU's National Club Development Manager, said: "To earn the Whole Club Seal of Approval accreditation is a major achievement that underlines a club's commitment to excellence.

"The Whole Club Seal of Approval process is designed to encourage best practice in all aspects of running a rugby club, helping assess where they are and providing a template for them to move forward."

RUGBY PLAYERS ON THE RUN

Flora London Marathon – Sunday 26th April 09

As well as the serious athletes and serial marathon runners, two Grasshoppers Rugby Club Coaches will be donning trainers for this years Flora London Marathon in order to raise money for charity.

George Orishaguna (U18 Coach) is running for The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and hopes to raise £2500 and Leroy Arbouine (U8 Coach) will be running in aid of Childline.

This is the first time that either of the 48 year old veteran athletes have tackled this great sporting event and both are convinced that after 5 months of training they are unlikely to be tackling it again.

Leroy said: "We have battled injuries and run through winter snow and frost to get ourselves in peak condition for the big day." Both runners are expecting to complete the course in 4 and half hours but both will be happy to finish the race before the man dressed in the Rhinoceros costume.

You can sponsor either of these athletes by logging on to their websites www.justgiving.com/georgeorishaguna or www.justgiving.com/leroyarbouine

A Great Grasshopper

It is with deep regret that we have inform you of the sad death of Graham Roskilly on Friday 20th February after a long and debilitating illness. Graham was a great Club Stalwart and served as Secretary and Treasurer, as well as many other positions, over many years performing the onerous Treasurer role for well over 10 years and well into his illness.

Graham also played at all levels of the Club developing into a jovial albeit uncompromising prop and as with his illness never gave up!

Our thoughts at this very sad time are with Sheila, Melissa, Robert and the rest of his family. Graham's funeral will take place on Tuesday 10th March at 2pm at the Hanworth Crematorium and afterwards at the Club. For those wishing to know about floral or other funeral details please get back to Pete Baveystock and he'll pass them on.

Valentine's Night at Grasshoppers RFC

Saturday 14th February from 7.30pm
Grab your wigs and stacks and head down to Hoppers for what will be a riot of a night!!
The Mini section are holding a Abba Tribute Band Night on Saturday 14th Feb from 7.30pm.
The cost is £20 per family children welcome!!! Single tickets £10 pp The tribute band are brilliant!! So please let me know asap how many of you would be coming, it will be an excellent night!!!! Hope you hear from you all soon. Sam M - 07813 896716

2009 Calendar

As you may know senior rugby and the netballers are launching a 2009 calendar and having seen the first picture proofs I have no doubt the calendars will be very popular. Download an order form for all club members to be taking to work, the pub, friends and family etc to get some orders in before the calendar is launched on Saturday the 6th of December. It’s an ideal Christmas present and will help out 3 great charities and the club.

There is also a prize for the person who sells the most calendars so place your orders now and get selling!!

Easter Tour 2009 NOTTINGHAM

After talking to several people it appears that Edgbaston has not been a very popular choice of place to tour, therefore the destination has been changed to Nottingham but all other details remain the same:

Date: Thursday 9th April 2009 until Sunday 12th April 2009

Cost: £150

Payment schedule:
£30 deposit by 22nd November 2008
£90 by 11th January 2009
£150 by 14th March 2009

DO NOT put your name down if you have no intention of paying a deposit!

Included in the cost is 3 night’s bed and breakfast at a 3 star Hotel, all coach travel plus all the usual freebies, oh and some rugby!

The above amounts are the minimum and any amount (or the total cost) can be paid at any time. There are only 49 spaces and the first 49 to pay the TOTAL cost will go.

Payment can be made by cash or cheque (made payable to Nationwide Building Society) and can be paid to myself, Ron Chapman or left behind the bar in an envelope with my name on and who it’s from.

Grahame Neve

Thames Boat Cruise 20th September 2008

Osterley Park & House Open Day 29th June 2008

Grasshoppers were out in force on Sunday to support the Osterley Park & House open day and were also hoping to recruit players young and old to swell their ranks. To help them achieve this they were supported by Middlesex County RFU who supplied their Go Play Rugby bus.

Grasshoppers Ladies Head Coach was directing the rugby and their Team Manager, Noma Mabhena, was in charge of administration. They in turn were supported by an army of volunteers young and old to add to what was a fantastic day.

In all around 50 children had a go at the taster session of tag rugby with many more looking around the bus to find out how they can start playing rugby.

Newly promoted Grasshoppers, started pre-season training on 1st July realising that building on the promotion to maintain the momentum is vitally important.

Executive Changes

The following changes that have taken pace in the Executive Committee due to Pete Hobson standing down as Director of Rugby and some positions being left unfilled at the AGM. It was with sadness that we had to accept Pete's decision especially due to the time and effort he had put in since taking over the new role for to 2005/06 season.

However, Pete had made his decision and it was incumbent on us therefore to recognise what a major role for rugby at Grasshoppers the DOR position was and to find the right person to take us into London NW 3 for 2008/09 and beyond.

A Senior Rugby Management Team was convened on Thursday 5th June to discuss the matter and I am delighted to inform you that Matt Gilmore has been selected by Senior Rugby to be co-opted into the Executive Committee as Director of Rugby for 2008/09.

I'm also pleased to announce that Pete has agreed to take on the role of Director of External Affairs for 2008/09 and continue his work in securing outside funding which he has done brilliantly up to now. Pete, I'm sure, will also offer any help and guidance required of him by Matt in the common purpose of driving rugby forward at Grasshoppers.

I'm sure you will join me in wishing both Pete & Matt well in their new roles and like me offer them your 100% support. Matt will obviously be hitting the ground running and bring his undoubted ability to mange strategically to the role and recognises that he can only deliver with the help and dedication of a those already in post both off and on the field. And I'm sure that as he gets to grips with the new role many more of you will be encouraged to get on board using your respective skills and enthusiasms. To see evidence of what Matt can achieve on a strategic level you only have to look at the structure he has created in the junior ranks over a very short period and I expect he would want to replicate this in some way with the seniors. To reinforce this Tom Barber who has been a significant driving force in senior rugby has agreed to help Matt drive senior rugby along with Coach, Richard Hicks and 1st XV Captain, Matt Nemeth.

See below Executive Committee for 2008/09

Chairman  Pete Baveystock
Treasurer   Bill Picket
Director of Rugby   Matt Gilmore
Director of Internal Affairs   Juan Murray 
Director of External Affairs  Pete Hobson 
Netball Rep    Emily Wise 

I see the above as a dynamic and forward thinking Executive team that can support rugby and other sport at Grasshoppers and look forward to working with them for the coming year. If you would like to discuss any issues contained in them a-mail then please don't hesitate to contact me.

Pete Baveystock
Chairman

Grasshoppers Awards for 2007-2008.

Congratulations to the following for winning the end of season award and contributing to such a great season:

Top try scorer: Jeremy Easton
Dave Macinnes 3rd XV Player of the year: Mark Laws 
Lawrence Jeal 2nd XV Player of the year Matt Coakley 
1st XV Player of the year: Matt Nemeth 
Coaches Award: Russell Cowley 
Most Improved Player of the year: Joe Deuchar 
Chairman and Players Player of the year: Russell Cowley 
Clubman of the year: Tom Barber
Tankards were also presented to Ali Damant and Kevin Reffould for their help with coaching
All the 1st XV squad were given framed team photos to mark the fantastic achievement of promotion

Ladies Silver Pins were awarded to the following prior to our last league game on 12th April:

Kirsty Smith
Sarah Tugwell
Louise Latter
Mandie Higgs
Noma Mabhena
Debbie Johnson
Marion Louke

Terry’s Last Game Saturday 26th April Chiswick RFC 12.30 kick off

As many of you will know Terry, as part of his retirement plan has decided to move to Spain and he would like as many of you as possible to watch play his last game in a Vets XV as part of Chiswick RFC’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The game will be followed by a lunch and then at 3pm Chiswick’s 1st XV play an invitation XV with hopefully G’s represented. I’m sure Terry will be in touch personally as to recruit any of you who fancy getting your kit on again.

Club Report for 15th March 2008

Look Back with Pride and Forward with Hope

Season 1982-83 was a fantastic season for Grasshoppers with the 1st XV not loosing a game and the other sides also having great a season. It was therefore apt that 25 years on this great season was recognised.

So players of that era mingled with those still involved last Saturday to both celebrate a great season and recognise the current success of the Club. However, before that there was plenty of present day rugby to enjoy. So on a non league week it was G’s 2nds under the captaincy of Tom Barber who continued the 2007/08 winning ways beating London Scottish 24-10 to reach the Merit Table play offs on 12th April.

Another home game saw G’s 3rds play, and narrowly beat, a G’s development squad against a very talented group of players. So as tradition determines they all settled down for an afternoon of international rugby which saw England end their campaign on a winning note, Scotland miss the wooden spoon by 3 points and Wales achieve the ultimate goal of the Grand Slam (well done Wales).

So the way was clear to look back to 1982/83 with pride and talk over old times. Chairman, Pete Baveystock welcomed everyone and reminded them that France had won the 5 Nations in 1983 and the best selling singles of that season were, Police (Every Breath I Take) and Rene & Renata (Save Your Love For Me). He also dropped on the welcome that England had won the Wooden Spoon that year.

Skipper for 1982/83 then spoke about the great season with some memorable match reports brought to life by Matt Gilmore & Terry Birtles. There then followed some fantastic poetry bringing out the essence of the time from Ian Whittaker and finally current Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson, heralded the current day successes at mini, junior and senior level.

Next week G’s are off to Lille, France where they play 2 games against Iris, Lille with a healthy touring party of 48 lets hope they have as much fun as on the tour of 25 years ago which was to Torquay.

More from Pete Baveystock on 07801 664 557

11.03.08 Latest Results

Grasshoppers moved into undisputed second place in the London North West league 4 with a convincing win over league rivals Ashmoleans. For full details please read Bavey’s scintillating report of the game in our match report section.

However the league is still wide open with two more games to play. This weekend we have a break followed by Easter but in two weeks on the 29th March we travel to Harrow in search of the final points needed to clinch the number two spot before our final home game against Bank of England on 12th April. The situation as the top of London North West four is as follows:-

Team	P	W	D	L	For	Against	Diff	Pts	Adj
Finchley	16	12	0	4	460	222	238	24	0
Grasshoppers	16	10	1	5	410	311	99	21	0
O. Ashmoleans	16	9	1	6	396	287	109	19	0
Hemel Hempstead	16	9	1	6	336	254	82	19	0
Barnet	16	9	0	7	304	222	82	18	0

1982/83 Reunion Evening Saturday 15th January UPDATE

7.30 for 8pm gather and welcome from Mike Reilly Captain 1982/83
9pm curry buffet – Awards Revisited – Pete Baveystock
1982/83 in Poetry – Ian Whittaker
Live music
ALL WELCOME

A full programme for the evening will be sent out nearer the time but please keep Saturday 15th March free in your diary. Also if you have any specific anecdotes or memories you’d like to share then please pass them on to Bavey or email them to info@grasshoppersrfc.com

Grasshoppers top of the league!!

Well here we are at the top. OK well first equal really but considering where we were earlier season to be first equal in the London North West league 4 is a magnificent achievement for Coach Richard Hicks, Captain Steve Reffould and Director of Rugby Pete Hobson, not to mention all the lads who were out there on the pitch with Steve. Read Bavey’s match report of the thrilling 32-26 win over Old Hamptonians and check out our league position in our match report section.

In the Middlesex leagues the 2nds were just pipped at the post in the last minute of their match against Rosslyn Park but congratulations on the 3rds for their win against Quintin.

After last weekend’s great escape against Old Hamptonions there was a real buzz in the clubhouse and this weekend could prove to be even more momentous with a tasty home tie against rival league leaders Hemel Hempstead in which a win could place us ahead at the top of the league with promotion beckoning. So lets make a special effort to get down to MacFarlane Lane this Saturday to cheer Steve and the boys on and give them the support they deserve. There will be a Vice Presidents’ lunch as well so what better way would there be to keep Fred Hallows happy?

Easter Tour 2008

This festive event is now over subscribed so Terry Birtles will be looking for your deposits as soon as possible. If you do not pay these soon you’re your place on tour is in jeopardy.

Grahame Neve is busy fund raising for the Easter tour and has reintroduced left hand/right hand drinking on Saturdays. If you are caught drinking or holding your glass with the wrong hand then you will be fined and the proceeds go to the Easter tour fund. For new members and those who do not remember the rules, look at the shield in the bottom left hand corner over the counter at the end of the bar. If this displays a large ‘R’ then hold the glass in the right hand – if it displays a large ‘L’ then use the left hand – it’s a simple system. For those who have read this notice you have no excuse for not knowing the rules and for those who have not read this then ignorance is no excuse anyway.

1982-83 What A Season! Remembered on Saturday 15th March 2008

We now have a date set aside to remember such a fantastic season. Mike Reilly will be getting his scrap book out and Whit will be reciting some of his favourite poetry which epitomises that era.

A full programme for the evening will be sent out nearer the time but please keep Saturday 15th March free in your diary. Also if you have any specific anecdotes or memories you’d like to share then please pass them on to Bavey or email them to info@grasshoppersrfc.com

Introducing our new Director of External Affairs: Chris Bonass

Hi,

Some of you know me, many of you don’t, but I’ve been a regular at Grasshoppers since 1989 and I’ve been a VP of the club for two years.
I work at Sky as a television cameraman.

Director of External Affairs is a new role within the club and is primarily about taking on the challenge of attracting more players to Grasshoppers through all the different team levels and creating a higher profile for the club within the local community. Along the way we will, hopefully, generate fund raising ideas and activities, which are the lifeblood of all successful Sports & Social clubs.

However, I can’t do this job alone. Although I already have some plans,
I also need your ideas for attracting new players and for generating revenue. Any thoughts you may have will be very welcome and please feel free to call me at any time on my mobile: 07850 971491 or e-mail me at chrisbonass@hotmail.com

I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Grasshoppers team and to working alongside you all to build on the past successes of the club.

Chris Bonass

Easter Tour 2008

After much debate and heroic research it has been decided that the lucky town to host Grasshoppers for this coming Easter tour will be none other than that pearl of European culture, Lilles!!

Departure Friday 20th March with a possible return on Sunday 23rd March all for an estimated cost of £130.

If you are interested get your £20 deposits to Terry Birtles as soon as possible to reserve your place.

Information about Lilles

Lille was once known as "the Manchester of France" - but the old textile mills and dirty heavy industry has largely gone, driven out of business in the second half of the 20th century (as in Britain) by lower cost foreign producers. But with much help from the French government and Europe, Lille has found alternative jobs in prosperous new industries - computers, food production, universities, mail order... Lille has also rediscovered its own past. Old Lille has been cleaned up and restored. Under the layers of grime, they have brought to light characterful buildings that evoke different eras of Lille's history. Lille only became definitely part of France just over 300 years ago. Before that, centuries of Spanish rule, and the glittering medieval court of the Dukes of Burgundy. When Louis XIV conquered Lille, he made it a showplace of French power and glory....

The town takes pride in its colourful past, and enjoys its markets, carnivals, and everyday life on the streets. You can join the residents of Lille - called “Ch’ti”s after. The pubs are not bad either, the girls are friendly, the drinks are cheap and the locals are useless at rugby!

90 NOT OUT

A toast to Eric Davies, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on 20th October 2007.

Our very best wishes from “Grasshoppers” on such a great innings! During the second world war Eric was a sergeant in the Alpine Corps based in the dolomites, Italy. He also held the light middleweight boxing championship for his regiment.

My brother, Gordon, and I first met Eric in 1946 when he was foreman of a building project which was next to the “Granville Pub”, Ealing Common – Very handy for a quick pint.

Eric had played rugby at Leicester and was looking for a Club to get a game. At that time my brother played for Napiers so Eric joined them. I was still in the forces but still managed to get a game when on weekend leave.

Gordon, Ray Robbins and myself took time out to work for the Bucks Agriculture Committee during 1947-48, where we met Glyn Jones and Bunny Walker and got them interested in rugby.

When we returned home we contacted Eric and the idea to form a new Rugby Club was born – There you are the six Founder Members of the Grasshoppers RFC formed in 1950.

It was very tough going during the first few years playing away as a nomadic side. When we got our first ground at High Lane, Hanwell, Eric was invaluable, using his expertise in the building industry to rebuild the clubhouse along with Don Robinson and John Crotty from the William Moss Company.

During the 50’s and early 60’s Eric & Doris, John & Tinnie and Bunny & Joyce, always supported Easter Tours. We all have great memories of Brighton, High Rocks and Crewkerne (not a drop of beer left for the locals on Monday) to name but a few.

Although, they live in Scotland, Eric and Doris still take very keen interest in the Club and were able to join us in 2000 to help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Lets hope we have a 100% performance from all teams on Saturday 20th the day of his 90th to give him something to be proud of.

Fred Hallows

Tom Turnbull

Grasshoppers were well represented in a fine turnout at funeral of Tom Turnbull on Wednesday 19th September at St Agatha’s Church in Kingston. On behalf of the club, Peter Baveystock gave a moving tribute in which he praised Tom’s achievements and hard work for the club over the years and related some of the more amusing moments of his playing career. Other tributes and readings were made by Tom’s family.

After the internment there was a gathering at the Richmond Park Tavern opposite the church where further tales of Tom were remembered in a manner of which he would have thoroughly approved.

Grasshoppers Given Seal of Approval By President Bob Rogers

Marion Mason after collecting the Award stressed that “This Award is a culmination of a lot of work by a lot of volunteers since the formation of our Mini/Junior Section in February 2003 some of whom are with us today as guests of the RFU namely Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson, Community Liaison, John Edwards and 2006/07 Mini Secretary, James Mason”

The Award follows previous honours namely a Special Volunteer Award in 2005 and the Middlesex Seal of Approval in 2006.

Director of Rugby, Pete Hobson said “What a great honour for the Club and a reward for the hard work of the whole Mini/Junior Section which is still in it’s infancy” He went onto say “This Award underlines the Club’s commitment to the welfare of it’s younger players with rugby being played in a safe and fun environment”

Anyone wishing to get involved in Coaching or playing at all levels should e-mail peter.baveystock@ntlworld.come or log onto www.grasshoppersrfc.com

More from Pete Baveystock on 07801 664 557

Tom Turnbull (1935 -2007)

We regret to announce the death of Tom Turnbull who suddenly died of a heart attack while on Holiday last week. He was 72 years old.

Tom was a very senior member of the club who has been involved as a player, team captain, administrator and vice president who still enjoyed coming down and watching Grasshoppers at every occasion. As a player he represented the club at every level and all over the pitch in a huge number of positions which varied from prop forward to full back. His finest season, as he was so very fond of recalling, was in 1972 when he was captain of the third team who amassed over 1000 points during the season, many of which came from his prodigious boot.
He will be sadly missed.

We extend our sympathies to Jean and her family.

Terry Birtles

Congratulations to Terry Birtles on his sixtieth birthday this weekend. It is hard to believe that while Terry continues to enjoy his playing career his great friend and rival for the Welsh number 9 shirt, Gareth Edwards, retired thirty years ago. I wonder who got the best deal – Wales or Grasshoppers?

Go Play Rugby for Charity

In support of the RFU’s Go Play campaign Grasshoppers organised a mixed corporate charity tag festival for local businesses and other organisations. It attracted 8 teams. Which included BskyB, Glaxo Smith Kline, Laing O’Rourke, The Fountain Leisure Centre, The Mulberry Centre and The Rugby Development Officers from the RFU. They played in 2 groups of 4 with The Mulberry Centre winning group 1 and the RFU runners up. In group 2 The Grasshopper Barbarians won the group with Grasshoppers Fresh Legs (under 17’s) as runners up. The RFU won the 3rd/4th play off against the Grasshoppers Fresh Legs and the final was contested between The Mulberry Centre and Grasshoppers Barbarians with The Mulberry Centre taking the title. The event raised over £600 which was split evenly between the Wooden Spoon and The Mulberry Centre. It was such a success that it’s been made an annual event with next years being planned for late June. Anyone interested in getting involved with this or rugby from 6 to 60 at Grasshoppers should e-mail peter.baveystock@ntlworld.com