Club News

Community Support

From our inception, ARFC has depended on community support. These donations have come in the form of grants, donations, use of facilities and the time and hard work of volunteers. We list below some of those who helped us.

Aberfeldy & District Rotary Club

Aberfeldy Community Council

Anderson Dentistry

Atholl & Breadalbane Agricultural Society Ltd

The Basil Death Trust

Dull & Weem Community Council

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust

Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund

John Nevin (Mackay Decorators Perth Ltd)

Kenmore & District Community Council

Kenmore Sports Association

PACES (Perth & Kinross Sports Council)

Scottish Rugby Union

We extend our grateful thanks to all those who have contributed to the survival and success of the club since our start in 2015.

Chairman’s report

It gives me great pleasure to present my report on the club’s activities and positioning as we enter an new season.

Last season saw a marked increase in playing numbers, which led to comparative success on the playing field and an attendant increase in membership and subscriptions. It was particularly heartening that the majority of new playing members were under 21, which bodes well for the future. The season was truncated due to the COVID 19 pandemic and we are currently unsure when we will be able to take to the field again due to lockdown and social distancing measures currently in place. I am mindful that this may have aa bearing on our financial position in the short term; although we are pressing ahead with our plans for a new pitch and home in Aberfeldy.

We hope that all associated with the club remain well, and look forward to welcoming you to training and matches when safe to do so.

Youth Development Initiative

During the year under review, the club set about raising funds for the specific purpose of recruiting a youth Development Officer (YDO). The role of the YDO will be to promote and deliver training in the sport of Rugby Union at schools within the Highland Perthshire catchment ares. The club raised £11,100 at a gala dinner and a further £3,500 has been donated by individuals and local community organisations towards this aim. We are very grateful to all of our donors and in particular to the Griffin Community Fund, which has committed to providing £25,000 over the next three years. The club has transferred £2,500 of its own general funds towards the financing of this initiative.

I am delighted to report that the club has now secured sufficient funding commitments to enable us to appoint a YDO, and that Morven Rough has agreed to take up the role of YDO for an initial period of 24 months, commencing in March 2020.

Laurie Dempster

Chairman

30^th June 2020