Cuckoos 2008 AGM (Abbreviated Minutes)

Awards Biggest Bullshitter – Jamaal Curry Most Improved Player – Andrew Bain Fast Fighter – Matt Paton Most Valuable Player – Brian Baker

Incoming Executive Chairman –Charles Smith Captain – John Gates Vice Captain –Shane Garner Treasurer -Stevie Johnson Secretary -Matthew Paton

Points of Mention

First Cuckoo fundraiser should be for those departing –Brian Baker as Captain, and international,Jamaal Curry, 7’s and 15’s international

To be scheduled for mid to end September – we are in desperate need of a location guys, one that lends itself to the idea of people wanting to come and making it a great day/evening whereby we can make some substantial profit.

Although we only “owe” the Union $1,500 for the upcoming season ( MANY THANKS TO STEVIE) we need another $1,500 for kit, Freeport, and a potential tour should we not have to go to Freeport twice. This will just ensure we break even, ie. We really need to raise more than this for future years to come. The more we do now the wealthier our club becomes and the greater time we can spend on rugby and making ourselves undoubtedly the best team in The Bahamas with the most international players.

We need to instill pride in the club and attract the younger members to want to join in on our success. This is paramount to the future of the club. We need to make the most of our presence on the international sides, Dan Woodside, young players such as Kevin and Vano, Gates captaining the National side…

I will put together a sponsorship letter and I would hope that each and every senior player would be able to attract at least $500.00 for the club by whatever means necessary (within the confines of the law). This is not a difficult task….ideas:

-Sponsored walk/run/clean up
-Obvious advertising placements on jerseys for 08/09.
-Exhibition Game at Lyford Pitch with a good touring team –  a one off event with a cook out attached to it would gain tremendous funds for the club (and awareness on theWestern end of the island) – marketed successfully we could be looking at easily taking in 2-3000 right there….

I add here please do not look to the wealthier individuals of the club to fork out of their own pocket – this isn’t necessary and does not promote pride and camaraderie in the club, so expel this notion from your minds at once….

Conclusion

We have come a long way, but have a long way to go. This will take three things:

1)       Continued commitment of ALL team members, no one is better than anyone else

2)       Raising awareness of the Cuckoos Rugby Club (not Rugby) at youth level, so they come to us

3)       Raising funds to keep the club going long into the future