After 23 years with South Tyneside College RUFC being appointed as President is an honour and a privilege. I joined the then South Shields Marine and Technical College RUFC in the 1990/1991 season and was immediately taken with the warm reception that I recieved, actually the warmth was from my former club's kit bag being set on fire as it was deemed inappropriate to have such items at the college. Instead of being praised for scoring a hat trick on my debut I was fined for being greedy. I loved it and never looked back. In the following years I have been honoured to have played for both the 1st Team and the Mariners, to have been the Club Captain, Press Officer, Tour Organiser, Treasurer and Chairman. I have represented the club in four cup finals, three for the 1st Team one of which as Captain and last season for the Mariners. It is difficult to pick a 'best' moment as there have been so many great times throughout my time with the club, therefore, it is perhaps better to look forward to a future as the best is yet to come.

The club began its revolution last season seeing massive improvements both on and off the pitch which has provided a firm foundation from which to build in the coming season and beyond. Last season saw the introduction of a new coaching regime under the leadership of Tom Brooks and the positive results of this has been seen with the highest league position for the 1st Team for many years and a cup final in the first season. The introduction of new players has boosted the club's squad and saw the Mariners' field a regular team and finished the season as finalists in the Durham County Fourth Team Shield. There is a commitment to training, fitness and club development which has never been so strong and expectations by everyone involved with the club is high.

So what can we look forward to in the 2013/14 season. With the election of the new committee there is a strong mix of skills and ambition to continue to move to new levels of organisations. I am very confident that the Committee will lead the continued development of the club's profile in the local community as well as the rugby community. I am confident that the work to improve the facilities will gain pace but I do urge that all of us are patient as we can't expect overnight success. The Committee will need all of our support to achieve their goals. On the pitch the expectation is that the 1st Team will push for promotion and they have it within them to achieve this goal. For the Mariners they will face the challenges of being in a league for the first time and with the mix of both youth and experience in its ranks a successful first league season and cup run is anticipated.

The season ahead promises to be an exciting one.

Michael Elsy
Club President

July 2013