Firstly I would like to thank David Humphreys for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend tonight to not only present the prizes, but also agree to do the question & answer session chaired by Derek McAleese. I would also like to congratulate him on being appointed as Ireland Captain for the summer tour to Japan.

I would also like to thank Wilson Kennedy, our Club President, Herbie Pakhill, Rugby section Tresurer and 1st Team Coach, Billy Millar, Youth Secretary and Derek McAleese, 1st Team Player not only for attending tonight but also for their encouragement throughout the year. No matter what plan or suggestion I have gone to Herbie & Billy with throughout the season they have fully supported the Mini/Maxi section.

Most importantly of all, I would like to thank you the players for your regular attendance at training, your dedication and competitiveness yet fairness in competitive matches and for your behaviour both at home and away throughout the season. Without you and your desire to learn more about and commitment to the game of rugby we would not have a mini/maxi section to our Club, and may I add a very successful mini/maxi section at that.

This year we have over 100 players on the books, which I feel reflects on the success of our section of the club. It has been brilliant especially at the end of season tournaments seeing the results of a seasons training, with players playing fast open rugby and of course beating the likes of Coleraine on a regular basis.

I would also like to say a big thank you to all the Coaches and Helpers who give up of their valuable time on a Saturday morning to Coach and develop our players – Your dedication and commitment is very much appreciated by players, parents and Limavady Cricket & Rugby Football Club. See you all on 1st Saturday of September. If our Club is to function next season we need more parents, both male and female helping with the coaching of our players – so please get involved.

Next I would like to thank you the parents for all your support to the coaching staff, for bringing the players each week, for your support at home & away matches, for all the help with catering etc – It is a great encouragement to our coaches, it’s not taken for granted and is very much appreciated by the Club.

All visiting Clubs to Limavady this season have been very impressed with the high standard of catering. As many of you know, at the start of the season I off loaded the catering to Frances McNeill and Angela Wallace, who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time one Saturday morning. I would like to especially thank them for all the hard work that they have done arranging the food and helpers etc for all our home matches and tournaments.

Finally in addition to our Kit Sponsors I would like to thank the following sponsors who provided trophies, balls, food, certificates and flowers during the season:

Costcutters, Sean Clarke
W. B. Thompson & Co Solicitors
Hunter’s Butchers
Roe Valley Recreation Club
Limavady Borough Council
Limavady Printing Company
Reon Computing
Valley Computers
J. B. Stelfox Solicitors Limited
Ulster Bank
Foyle Food Group
R. G. Connell & Sons Solicitors
Style ‘N’ Sport, Ballymena
Superflora

I’ve been asked to give a short preview of the changes this season.

1. Email – now 80% of players are contactable via email, but as some have found out during the season you need to read them. Could I suggest that some parents go on an email course before the start of next season? If you haven’t given me your email address please do so tonight.

2. Website – We went onto the World Wide Web this season thanks to much hard work by Niall Millar and are still getting on average 100 hits per day. We now have match reports and photos, player profiles and an on-line-shop on the net. Also there is the facility to update quickly on the message board any changes to fixtures and training. Please continue to visit our website and use it regularly.

3. Canterbury Shirt & Tracksuit – We introduced a new shirt which you the players helped design in that you picked the colours/design that you liked best. To date we have sold 87 new shirts, and have got 3 teams sponsored by local businesses:
P5 – Tommy’s Chip Shop, Ballykelly
P6 – J. B. Stelfox & Company Solicitors
P7 – Sean Mullan & Son Properties Limited.

I would like to thank all 3 sponsors for their financial support regarding these shirts. It would be our intention to have the remaining 3 Teams shirts sponsored next season.

The new tracksuit which was initially introduced for the youth section and not to be for the mini/maxi section until next season had to be bought at the start of 2005 due to much demand. I’m sure as you’ll all agree they are now a Limavady fashion item, especially on Saturday afternoons down the town.

4. Coaching in Primary Schools – New venture for Mini/Maxi section to take on this season, this proved to be very successful with up to 20 players joining our Club as a result. We are now involved with 3 local primary schools both during and after school times. These 3 schools also involved in the Coleraine/Limavady & Derry Council area contact and Tag rugby competitions as part of the Northern Ireland Primary Schools competitions. Local friendly primary schools matches are also planned towards the end of this month.

Next Season:

1. New Socks – Canterbury socks to match our new shirts
2. Improved Website – with easier access to team fixtures & results and player profiles
3. Kit Shop – New kit will be ordered at end of June to be in at start of September and we hope to run a kit shop each Saturday morning. If you have any kit requests please let us know ASAP.
4. Coaching in Primary Schools – to be further developed throughout the Council area.
5. Team Tour – We hope to take a team on a 1 or 2 overnight tour next season to either Mainland UK or Southern Ireland.