Presidents Christmas Message

Dear Members

It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of 2024, and it is even harder to believe where the club stands at the end of this calendar year, so I will just take this opportunity to remind everybody!

There were major changes at the beginning of the current season, with Ben Manion taking over the Head Coach role, supported by Peter O'Donnell and Rory O'Loughlin, with David McAllister taking on the coaching of our U20s.  The club also created a Rugby Committee, which has made changes at all levels of the club teams and are providing a fantastic support structure for not just the coaches and managers, but also all of the players in the club.  While most of the coaches and managers for other teams are either continuing their roles, or returning to the club, this should in no way take away from all of their hard work, and most importantly their achievements in the season so far.

We are fielding a total of five adult teams consisting of a First Team, as well as a Second, Third and Fourth Team, and possibly most importantly, an Under 20s team.  The numbers at training every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Donnybrook is outstanding, and even though this is our first season in quite a while fielding five adult teams, we have no shortage of numbers at every level.  We have not conceded any matches at any level this season, which very few clubs can claim, even ones fielding far fewer teams.  Our Veterans team is also playing more regular games this year.  I know that most attention will be given to our First Team's success this year, finishing the calendar year 5 points clear on top of the Leinster League, and they are in a fantastic position to qualify for the All-Ireland League Round Robin later in the season.  However, it is worthwhile to point out that all of our four overage adult teams currently occupy either first or second in all of their league tables.  It is a huge achievement for everybody in the club to be regularly fielding this number of teams.

Our Minis and Youths section is booming also, with our biggest problem probably being a shortage of space for all of the players we have at these levels.  I am pleased to confirm that the Executive Committee is actively working to resolve this situation, and this will facilitate further growth in player numbers for all our Minis and Youths.  Going down to Donnybrook on a Sunday morning watching the various teams training and playing is a fantastic experience, and really gives you confidence that the future of rugby in Bective is in great hands.  It is worth noting that all coaches, management, Child Welfare Officers for these teams are parents of the players, and are giving all of their time just purely for the benefit of the children playing.  We should be so grateful for all of these people, and while many of them have played in Bective in the past, for many this is their first involvement in Bective (and some, in rugby!), and I would really like to express the gratitude of the whole club for this commitment.  A particular mention should go to Richie Maybury, who is stepping down from his role as Minis/Youths Coordinator at the end of the current season, but no sooner than this occurred, he was announced as the new Junior Vice President in the club!

When it comes to cups, our Seconds unfortunately lost the Jim Byrne Cup, losing in a tight match to a 'very' strong Suttonians in the Final last Saturday; with our Firsts due to play in the All-Ireland Cup Final against Enniskillen on the 25th January and also in the Spencer Cup final against Suttonians in March, we will have a number of opportunities to make good on that result.

We can be very pleased at where we are as a club right now, and it would not have been possible without the huge support from all of you, our members and supporters, up to this point in the season.  However, we also need to realise that we have not won anything yet.  We are still realistically targeting six trophies this year, and it is essential that we as members and supporters, maintain the level of support in 2025.  This support is critical, whether it is in Donnybrook on a Saturday or Sunday, or watching BRTV, listening to the dulcet tones of Chuck, or even by just paying your subscription (remember, it is never too late in the season to pay your subscription!).  I know that our members who are regularly attending matches can attest to the atmosphere at the matches, and maybe more importantly, in the clubhouse afterwards.  If you haven't experienced it this year, I would highly recommend a New Year's Resolution for 2025 being to attend more matches in Donnybrook; it is a resolution I can assure you that you will not regret, and will be much easier to keep than many other more traditional resolutions.  All of the upcoming fixtures for all teams are published on the website, and be sure to subscribe to the Newsletter to keep up with all of the latest news.  Of course, if you can't make it in person, Chuck's commentaries on BRTV are not a bad replacement!

Finally, a particular thank you to all of the players, coaches, managers and all of the volunteers for all of your effort so far this year.  Enjoy your brief Christmas break from rugby and we look forward to seeing you all fully refreshed in 2025. 

So as 2024 moves into the rear view mirror, we can look forward to more great days ahead in 2025.  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, and we look forward to seeing you all in Donnybrook in 2025.

John Bolger

President Bective Rangers FC

2024/25