Woy Woy rugby club to attract more support

The Woy Woy Rugby Union Club will put effort into attracting more players, committee members and supporters after a special meeting of the club held on Tuesday, August 6.

The meeting was held in response to a disappointing 2013 season for the Senior Rugby Club, attributed to a shortage of numbers on and off the field.

The meeting was attended by about 45 people who offered suggestions to improve the prospects of the club for future seasons.

First Grade coach Paul Gooley facilitated the meeting and said the committee was seeking input from supporters, players and committee members.

A "brainstorming" session was held to identify ways to improve the club and attract more players.

Mr Gooley said the priorities were to attract more players, more participants on the committee and more supporters to the games.

"The meeting was very positive and there was strong support for the concept of building on the strength of the junior club, which has had a number of very strong seasons," said Club senior secretary Mr Paul Garnett.

The suggestions offered were prioritised and grouped in the categories of ideas which could be achieved in the short term, within six months, and longer term goals for the club.

The ideas contributed ranged from establishing scholarship schemes and a Code of Ethics to forming closer alliances with other clubs such as Woy Woy Leagues Club and local surf clubs.

All agreed that it was necessary to increase the exposure of the club through marketing and advertising.

Several working groups were formed to develop the ideas into action plans.

They will implement the short term objectives as soon as practicable and establish a longer term plan.

These working groups will elect a representative to report their progress to the committee regularly.

Mr Gooley said he and the committee were satisfied with the outcomes of the meeting and looked forward to a strong attendance at the annual meeting to be held at the Umina Sports Council on Sunday, September 15.

The meeting will commence at 11am, where all positions will be declared vacant .

It is also expected that shortly after the meeting, advertisements for coaches and managers for season 2014 will be issued.

Media release, 26 Aug 2013

Paul Garnett, Woy Woy Rugby Union