Pre-Season
Ok - It is officially August - I know because I have a calendar on my desk. Preseason is well underway for all senior sides.
However for those supporters amongst you who are itching to get your next bit of a rugger fix the senior men's sides have two pre-season matches coming up

15th August -Guildford (home)
22nd August - Barnes (away)

It would be great to have a good touchline full of support for the newly promoted Dons.

This week sees the ladies third preseason training session, there are still members of the squad yet to show their face at training, it would be great to see them on Wednesday, well done to all those who have turned up and welcome to our new players. This week you will be allocated your fitness buddy for the season. Please make sure you are out on the pitches for 7.30, we only get 1 session a week and we need to make the most of it, extra fitness for those that are late!

Bounce, please contact Anna by mid-day on Wednesday to confirm your place for the session on Thursday

U21s
The newly formed U21s start training tonight as well under the mentorship of Charlie Rourke and Rob Kane. This side will be mostly comprised of players who have come through the youth ranks and will play games during the university holiday period. We wish them very well in their first season and know this is going to be a great addition to the family of the future. All details are on the facebook page for this age group.

3rd XV
OK this season to begin with we will be amalgamating the 3rd XV and The Strollers to take the 3rd XV league position. This decision has been taken at the highest level. There is scope to put in another side for friendlies during the season but this side will evolve during the season and play old heads with younger guns. They will be managed and organised initially by some poor sap who gets that thankless task (yes it's me) until a captain has been chosen.

Tour
A massive thank you to the lads who have sent me ideas - keep them coming in. It is really helpful. As we get nearer to the start of the season a tour committee will be selected to choose the options and go about organising the details. Ooooh tour. It made me mist-eyed last night listening to club Chairman and President Keano reminiscing about a large male bed-fellow afraid of bears on a tour to America some years back.

Rugby World Cup
Seriously - if you don't know this is happening all too soon - where have you been?! OK on the social side - for the big games Mick will be opening the club up for the teams - particularly after home games. Let's start getting excited about this. We are in discussion about possible fancy dress outfits for certain occassions - probably national dress etc etc. So thats one thing.

Another thing though is the ACTUAL WILLIAM WEB-ELLIS CUP will be at Wimbledon RFC on Sunday 13th September (there might a ball the night before so I imagine some of you will still be stumbling around anyway). Do get excited about this. It will be a great opportunity for photos and a full family day out. Even the kiwis can have a go at touching the cup outside of New Zealand - seeing as they can never win it away from home - so that will be nice for them.

Cistine and Pristine Changing Rooms
As you all know - the changing rooms could do with a lick of paint. Our beloved treasurer Stevie Platts has allocated £500 from the kitty for us to give them a once over. We will be doing a painting day which will be led by the all-new, all-ginger Club Captain Dave Roberts. He will find a good time for us to take this on, let me know, I will email out and then if we can get as many people down we can get this done in time for the new season. Boom. It's always a hoot and a few jars can always be included.

Netball
This season will see the resurgence of the Netball at the club. This will be for Ladies and will be commencing in early September on Thursday nights at around 7.30pm Any budding and willing netball stars you may know - please do let them know.

Cycle Proficiency
As you know the flying physio Steve Garvey participated in the LondonSurrey 100 on Sunday and completed it in the very fab time of 4hrs 28mins. A massive achievement. He initially set out to raise £500 but with your help he has accumulated a whopping £1,321.93. Well done to him and you all - a great achievement.

In addition to this - long time club servant Paul "Pluggy" McKittrick is also doing a cycle challenge. He is doing the London-Brighton on 6th September and has set himself the challenge of raising £100 for Prostate cancer research. This is a particularly brave challenge for Paul as it is about a year ago he was very badly injured getting knocked off his bike by a car - so this is a real test of his mental character to do this. If you can drop a quid in - please do go here: www.doitforcharity.com/PaulMckittrick

Right that is way more than enough from me.

Have a great week y'all

Big love

Badger