Presidents Christmas Message
Dear Fellow Members,
We have had an exciting 2023 in Bective to say the least.
On the rugby front, our senior team are very much in the hunt for a third Leinster League title in a row by comprehensively winning their last three games, including a great All-Ireland Junior Cup semi-final win over Seapoint. We now look forward to the final against Ulster’s Ballyclare at the end of January. Our seconds remain unbeaten and are looking to win their fourth league title in a row. Our thirds have just had two great back to back wins, including a great victory over an unbeaten St. Mary’s side. They are now catching up in their league and looking forward to a strong cup campaign next spring. Well done to all the coaches and managers involved.
We are having great success in the mini’s and youths teams and are now fielding U15’s and U17’s teams. Our goal is to field an U20’s team next season so it is critical that we close the gap between mini’s and U20’s and on to the junior and senior teams. Having won the Metropolitan U18.5 Cup last season, prospects are looking very positive. The minis and youths section is a massive machine to run and is critical for the future of the club. Again, well done to all the volunteers involved.
This season saw the launch of Bective Rangers TV with live coverage of all our senior games on YouTube along with great commentary by Simon “Chuck” Byrne. BRTV also includes a number of interviews with Bective members giving great entertainment and history on the club. “A chat with Chuck” will feature some new interviews in the new year. Be sure to tune in on YouTube. Well done Chuck, Louis and Rory on camera.
We were delighted to welcome Snow Technology as our main sponsor for the 2023/24 season. I wish to say a big thank you to all our sponsors for their continued support to Bective. Thank you also to all our members, friends and volunteers who have supported the various fundraising activities so far this season and to the Executive Committee who drove each of these initiatives.
Our clubhouse phase one development is close to completion now that the “hanging committee” have put back up the photos and jerseys. We now have an absolutely fabulous facility and I’m sure anyone who has visited the club recently would agree. There were too many people who volunteered their expertise to this project to mention names but a big thank you to you all.
I would like to recognise the excellent work being done by the Working Groups that emerged from our Seeding Event. These groups are focussing on five areas of development: Rugby Ambition, Governance, Finance/Sponsorship, Clubhouse and Branding. Our Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028 is very near completion and will help augment our Working Groups actions.
Please add a few dates to your diary for the new year to bring some friends down to the club to support the teams. Enjoy a Pre Match Lunch at a home game on a Saturday, Friday night home games for the 3rds and Sundays for the minis and youths.
So as we leave 2023 and look forward to great Bective days ahead in 2024, on behalf of Bective Rangers FC, may I take this opportunity of wishing you all and your families a Merry and Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Michael Shalloe
President Bective Rangers FC
2023/2024
