Thank goodness the season has started! It has felt like a long off-season, but what a way to return, with both our senior teams enjoying convincing wins in their opening competitive fixtures.
Our age grades are also back in full flow, with the club bursting into life on Sunday mornings. There is nothing quite like the sound of children enjoying our great game, catching up with their friends and burning off some of that seemingly endless energy. If only we could bottle a little of it for the volunteers!
Our pioneering Hornets have returned from their successful tour to Plymouth and continue to spread the word about the fun and friendship rugby can bring. On Sunday, they shared that enthusiasm through a touch rugby session at a multisport event for the PEM Disability Children’s Club – A Community of Fun & Inclusion. Once again, the Hornets are at the forefront of inclusive rugby. To find out more about joining or getting involved, please contact Emma Smith.
Off the field, our Patrons enjoyed their first lunch of the season: another fantastic day of good food, shared stories and catching up with friends. There always seems to be a reason to put off getting together, but a Patrons’ Lunch provides the perfect excuse to make it happen.
Our Patrons are an important part of the club’s lifeblood, bringing together past players, supporters and volunteers whose connections help keep our history alive and our future strong. If you would like to get involved, please contact Andy Doust. There may always be an excuse not to, but there is so much more to gain from being part of it.
Now that the season is underway, the calendar is gathering pace. Our Men head to Ledbury on Saturday for their second league fixture, while our Women face Banbury on Sunday in their opening Cup round. Back at OLs, the club will be bursting with life as we host our annual Age Grade Tournament on Sunday. As always, many hands make light work, so if you can lend a hand, please contact Wes Emmerson.
The following week sees our Golf Society take on Leamington as they attempt to retain the interclub trophy. Expect a fiercely contested battle, with silverware at stake and, far more importantly, bragging rights!
Our Walking Rugby team are also heading out on their annual tour, this time to the cathedral city of Salisbury. In the finest rugby touring tradition, I am assured nothing remarkable will happen and absolutely no stories will return. To find out more about Walking Rugby and get involved, please contact Dicky Davies.
As always, there is far more happening around the club than one update can capture. Thank you to the army of volunteers who make it all possible, and to everyone who has signed up and paid their membership. Your support keeps the lights on, the pitches maintained and the grass growing, giving us all somewhere to play, meet and enjoy being part of this great club.
If you would like to help make The Crofts an even better place for everyone, why not join our volunteer group focused on improving our home? It is a great way to contribute, meet people and be part of our club community. Please contact Tim O’Toole to get involved.
You can also help by spreading the word about OLs to potential sponsors. Whether a business would like to support the club, a team or an individual player, Lucas Wager will happily talk them through the opportunities. A simple introduction could make a real difference.
One Club. One Community. One Standard.

Mark
Chair