NEWLY-elected chairman of Melksham Rugby Club, Mark Simmons, encourages you to join the rugby family as he explains that the club is much more than just a sports team.
Melksham RFC is run entirely by volunteers to create a community club that accommodates everyone from players, to committee members to supporters, families and more.
Chairman, Mark Simmons said, “We are all really excited about the upcoming season and I am honoured to have been voted in as chairman for this season.
“I have been at Melksham RFC for 40 years, joining when I was 18 years old. I have played, coached, held a variety of different committee member roles and now elected chairman. It is a great honour and I am pleased and excited to build on the club’s sense of community. We don’t pay our players, we are not at that level, but we all join in for the sheer enjoyment of the sport and the adoption of the rugby ethos of respect, discipline and enjoyment.
“The club is completely voluntary run, therefore all funds are used to really benefit the club and its members. We can always call on our volunteers to help and that means everyone can take ownership in the direction and success of the club and keep making it better and better.
“Along the way, you make life-long friendships, attend socials as a whole club and really achieve the community feeling.
“The teams have been slightly flat on the playing side, but with the new coaches coming in, there is a real buzz and energy heading into the new season. So it’s our job now to continue that energy and try to get more commitment from the teams.
“We have always done well in the leagues, but feel like we are always the bridesmaid, coming second or third. This season, we will be the bride!
“The minis and Juniors are also going well and the numbers are increasing too.
“Besides rugby, there are a lot of things the club take part in including the Melksham Carnival that just took place over the weekend. The children and volunteers spent hours painting and making costumes for the float – an event we try to take part in every year.
“We also have a ex-Melksham players relic golf society that plays in charity matches, as well as charity fundraising events. There really is something for everyone, you don’t need to play rugby to get involved in your local club. It’s something you buy into, the energy, the team spirit. Not many clubs/organisations have this feeling any more and it’s a shame. If you buy into it, then you can bring pride to where you live, bring pride to Melksham!
“If you are thinking about coming along and joining us then please do! Come down and experience it. Come along with no inhibitions, with an open heart and an open mind and see if it is for you. There is all sorts going on, we can accommodate everyone, there is a real bunch of characters here – one club, one love and all that.”
