I think I can quite rightly say, as President, that Blackburn Rugby Union Football Club has had a good Season and am glad to say that I’ve just about managed to watch all sections of the Club, either games or training. The 1st XV’s Season was perhaps not as good as we had hoped, but 3rd place in a competitive, and improving League is very respectable. We all know that those above us in the League had a different strategy as to “team development”!

The 2nd XV also had some good results but suffered at times from availability of players but to be only 7 points behind Fylde 2s and above Lymm 2s is very good, particularly when 5 of the teams above them field a 1st XV in National 2 North. The 3rd XV sometimes weakened by promoting players to the 2nd XV still creditably ended the Season 6th in their League, only 10 points (2 converted tries) behind the 3rd placed team and reaching the final of the Nowirul, Cotton Traders Bowl (North/Central).

To me however, the outstanding results for the future of this Club have come from the Mini & Youth Section and if you’re looking at those nearing Senior Rugby, the Under 13s and the Under 15s. The under 13s won the cup group in the playoffs and thereby finished the Season top of the table in Pool C in the Lancs. Cup. The U15s Season was outstanding too. They won 11 games, lost 3 and drew 1; scored 448 points and conceded only 108 AND they have 10 attending Sale Sharks DPP.

Of course, the ability to have these successes requires support and that comes in more than one guise.
• First of all, those who have supported, encouraged and coached all the above players, from Dino, Greg and “Bertie” through current and former players, fathers and friends.
• Secondly, the financial support though our sponsors, the advertisement boards, and members who come down to the Club to watch the games, attend the lunches, the “Sportsmen’s” Dinners and maybe just a pint on a training night.
• Thirdly, for the work carried out by those employed by the Club, the volunteers and Trustees who do what can be a difficult job to make things click.
These, with the playing side, creates a Club that has a great atmosphere, comradery and most importantly, ambition.

My sincere thanks to you all.

Peter

Peter Whitman