Facilities: Colchester RFC from employing Claire our full time General Manager and Dawn our Catering Manager. It was all hands on deck on the 1st and 8th May when an army of volunteers, plus vans and trucks turned up at our old Clubhouse in Mill Road to move everything over to our new home - a home that had been in the pipeline for 8years! It took many hours but it was literally like a family moving home - with much banter and good humour. That’s what’s so brilliant about rugby - it is about family and the respect we have for all who play, have played, those who hold the whistle, those who encourage young players and all who just love to watch. Colchester RFC is always keen to be part of the community and each year we hold two main events. In the spring we organise a Community Day in aid of local charities. At this you will see stalls, a fun fair for children, touch & 7s rugby, performers and a range of food offers alongside a beer tent. In November we hold a spectacular fireworks evening. Hopefully now that the pandemic is coming under control we can return to sharing our new facilities with the community of Colchester. We are also very fortunate to be supported by many local businesses whose sponsorship is invaluable and they have been an integral part in our move, helping to finance important aspects of the Club such as TV screens, electronic scoreboard, storage equipment, kit and office furniture. So for Colchester RFC the future looks bright and we
08 | Rugby Blindside - Summer 2021
hope to open the Club ‘officially’ before Christmas with a formal dinner and prestigious speaker - fingers crossed! We know that we are very lucky and the stewards of wonderful facilities that we want to use for the benefit of the great game of rugby, for our members and the wider community. It's an exciting time for Colchester Rugby and we look forward to a better 2021-22 season. As I am sure everyone can appreciate, it has been difficult to build momentum, but the club move has come at just the right time. Raven Park is an inspiring environment and it is now up to our coaches and players to drive Colchester Rugby onward and upward, ultimately delivering a brand and standard of rugby that is commensurate with our new home. If you should ever visit the oldest recorded town in Britain then please do come and visit its newest rugby facilities at Raven Park; Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester CO4 5YX.
