Reading Rugby Club’s 200 Club has been going for over 40 years. However, many of you may not have heard of it as it has not been much publicised of late and the membership has been reduced to the low forties.

However, a new committee has taken over the development of this money-raising initiative and this committee is determined to increase interest and membership to raise funds for the essentials needed to run any rugby club.

The first target is to raise funds to send coaches involved with all age groups, from minis to seniors, on RFU coaching courses as an essential element of coach and player development throughout the club.

Once this target is achieved further practical needs will be identified by the committee, in consultation with the membership, so that the money is used in the best interests of all age groups at the club.

Which is why we shall be inviting all members – from the parents of Under 6s to VPs and those playing for the vets – to join the 200 Club.

The Committee is made up of Reading Rugby Club stalwarts:

• Ted Goodhew – joined RRFC in 1966, club captain 1967, played in excess of 150 1st XV games, captained Wanderers for two years, finished playing for the vets at the age of 52. Past President and Life Member.

• Alan Glenny – long standing active supporter, attending matches as a VP all over the country. He is looking after, in particular, membership and finance issues, ensuring that draws take place when they should and that the money is paid out.

• Graham Lyke – a long-standing 1st XV player from the 70s and 80s who did good service to the 1st XV as captain and scrum half and founded the Rhinos (the veterans’ team) in 1986. Graham was a no-nonsense scrum half and he is showing the same commitment and common sense with this project. He was the sort of scrum half who let his opposite number know he was there at the scrum, be it by a comment, the odd poke with the elbow or whatever. You can be sure he will show the same commitment in raising money through the 200 Club!.

• Howell David – another 1st XV regular for many years in the 70s, a flanker in the Welsh tradition. Howell was the club’s first-ever official coach, voted in at the 1974 club AGM. It was, of course in those days, a voluntary, unpaid position. Howell has continued to support the club, in various capacities, over the years.

The future

The aim is to restore the 200 Club to its original size. As a first step the committee has a target of recruiting enough members by October 1st 2013 to reach 100 members. To encourage this there will be TWO BUMPER DRAWS in 2013/14, the first of which will take place on Saturday October 19th , after the 1st XV game against Towcestrians, a side new to us.

The aim is to make this a whole club effort to raise money for essentials needed by all sections of the club.

Membership is £60 per year, payable in cash or by direct debit (form attached)and you are encouraged to take out more than one membership as this will increase your chances of winning! 50% of the total raised will be used for prizes.

To join the 200 Club please download & complete the application form below.

Alan Glenny - Treasurer, Club 1898