With the shutdown now entering into its fifth week, the club has managed to renegotiate and reduce most of the weekly and monthly running costs to ensure we can survive the close season until operations re-commence. At this moment we have no indication of when clubs like ours will be open for business again.

Notwithstanding all the restrictions being imposed your committee continues to progress critical operational and planning matters to make sure we are in the best possible situation when things get back to some sort of normality.

We are trying to make sure when things do return we are in a better position than when the season ended and when the RFU determined our final league position

1. FINANCIAL UPDATE

Hugh and Bev have managed to obtain the business rates relief, negotiated reduced monthly standing orders for utilities and delayed the VAT payments to help cash flow. We have been successful in obtaining the full business grant of £25k from Leeds City Council (LCC), and we have also received our allocation of funding from the RFU of £560. We continue to investigate other cash sources via the RFU, LCC and Sport England.

We will also be considering the Bounce Back loans facility once the platform for applications is open on Monday 4 May.

We are investigating other fund-raising options and financial support to help see us through including the possibility of a crowd funding option.

We remain extremely grateful to those members who dug deep in Feb/ March /April to help the club out financially at that critical time.

All these actions are making a big difference in the short to medium term but with all our revenue streams dried up we have more work and fundraising to do in the future.

2. RELOCATION

Last week Persimmon told us hat the Planning Application dates of November 2020 and decision dates of spring 2021 are on track despite the current shutdown.

We have also been told the road alignment and the access from the road into the new sports facilities has been agreed. We are chasing confirmation of that design, so we can assess the impact on our scheme layout. We can then re commence our design development following the planning comments we have received.

3. RUGBY MATTERS

We are delighted to announce that Kyle Dench has accepted a position of Head Coach for the coming year with overall responsibility for the squad development and game strategy. Kyle will be supported by Cleggy as DOR.

Charlie Maunder has accepted a position as head Coach at West Leeds in Yorkshire Div 1 – we wish him well for the future

This is the message Cleggy has sent to the players regarding the appointment of Kyle

Cleggy says “I’m delighted that Denchy has accepted the position as Head Coach, he knows Otley well and will be a major force in leading us back into the national leagues. Most of you will already be acquainted with Kyle having played with him this season, and l am looking forward to working with him again. Kyle’s passion combined with his detailed approach to training and playing are second to none and l can’t wait for the new season to get started. Whilst never underestimating the opposition our aim will be to win the league in style, scoring many tries and destroying whoever stands in our way.”

4. PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

Following the cancellation of our last league game against Wharfedale we have arranged a pre-season friendly against them on Saturday 22 August providing the lock down restrictions have been lifted. Further details to follow

5. AGM and COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS

The AGM is set for Tuesday 21 July. Due to the current crisis the committee have taken the decision to extend the date for committee nominations and seconders to the 31 May 2020. Nominations and seconders are welcomed and should be submitted to Bev Rice before that date.

NOTE: ANYONE INTERESTED IN TAKING UP A PAID COMMISSION ONLY COMMERCIAL ROLE AT THE CLUB PLEASE CONTACT PAUL MACKIE BELOW FOR DETAILS

The only remaining issue to resolve will be to ensure fixtures can be arranged once the structured season is published

Contact Details:
Paul Mackie: Chairman - Mob Number 07771 891497
Bev Rice: Secretary– Mob Number 07879 082058
Hugh Brown: Treasurer – Mob Number 07770 698906
Andrew Johnson: Junior Chairman – Mob Number 07768 21393