Hi All
Well, what a year!
Christmas is the time of year that usually provides a natural ‘half time’ break in the season and allows us time to reflect, plan and compare to previous years. Well, not this year as the last competitive game at Latton Park was Essex u20s vs Eastern Counties in March 2020. COVID-19 is the real GRINCH that not only stole Rugby but now Christmas!
The challenges of 2020 were unexpected and have had a profound impact on our communities and lives. Our thoughts are with our local community, club members and their families who have experienced first-hand the hardships of this year, be that ill-health or reduced income.
Through these turbulent times, grassroots sport, in our case rugby, has remained strong and at the very heart of our communities. Through the hard work of our Club Executive; Club Management; COVID-19 Committee and in turn all our other wonderful volunteers we have worked hard to provide some level of training for all of our players, providing them with a release from the confines of lockdown. The impact of the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing cannot be underestimated, so it has been great for players to have somewhere to let off steam and enjoy some outdoor fun and fitness with their friends and team mates.
Please be assured that every decision made has been done so to ensure that we can return to rugby in a way that is not only compliant with government and RFU advice, but safe for our volunteers, players and their families. We would also like to thank you for your patience and support in this matter. We have a truly brilliant rugby club, and we are committed to providing a fantastic local resource for everyone to enjoy for years to come!
We were so looking forward to being a part of your festive celebrations and welcoming in the New Year with you. To be perfectly honest, we cannot wait to see the back of 2020 (and we are sure many of you feel the same). It has been the most challenging year for all of us. We are so proud of how adaptable our entire team has been and we couldn’t have got through it without all your support. We should still look ahead to 2021 with optimism and excitement, please go positively into the New Year, as we always do, let’s work as a team and continue to support each other.
Finally, to all of you; players, supporters, physios, caterers, bar staff, referees, facilities and ground managers, committees, mums, dads, fundraisers, sponsors and all those other staff and volunteers that makes Harlow Rugby so successful, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season and I look forward to reuniting with you all in 2021. Thank you.
Keep Safe, Stay Safe and take care of yourself.
Tux
Paul Tucker
Harlow RUFC | Chair of Rugby
Latton Park | Howard Way | Harlow | Essex CM20 3FD
t: 01279 429750 | m: 07801 072498
e: rugby@harlowrugby.club | w: www.harlowrugby.club
Teamwork | Respect | Enjoyment | Discipline | Sportsmanship
