As the competition closes for 2005, it gives us great opportunity to reflect on what was another truly spectacular year!

Another Premiership win to the Junior Colts, 5 teams in the Junior Finals series , two teams in the CCRU Seniors Competitiom, a new U9s side and competitive teams in ALL Junior age groups. It has definitely been a year of great success for our Club.

Our achievements this year are a direct result of having a club full of outstanding players, committed coaches and managers, die-hard supporters and a tireless bunch of helpers. Special thanks to everyone who helped out in the canteen, on the BBQ, setting up and pulling down the ground equipment , became ground marshalls, ran the touch line etc. etc. This type of dedication is why our club is envied by our competitors and complemented on by our visitors

On a personal note, I would like to applaud and give my appreciation to the club's executive team and committee.These people put in hundreds of hours during the year and gave up large amounts of family and work time to ensure that our players can concentrate on playing rugby.

Over the past 12 months, the Executive has continued ti lay the foundation for the Club's future by ensuring a constant stream of sponsorship money and grants, upgrading playing and ground equipment, improving the Club's supporting processes and systems, ensuring our players get the exposure they deserve and creating a club that is now used as a standard by the CCJRU and CCRU for other clubs to emulate.

The Club's Executive team is looking forward to the 2006 season with further outstanding growth resulting from the introduction of the Club's Inaugural Ist Grade Team and new players wanting to play rugby with the most professional club on the Coast.

Over the next few years, the Club will face a number of new challenges including balancing the demands of strong player growth, the requirement to locate and acquire the use of additional playing fields, the increased workload on volunteers and the introduction of good corporate governance structures to encourage the Club to create value for its members and provide accountability and control systems commensurate with the risks involved.

The Club is heading in the right direction to meet these challeges by implementing initiatives such as the proposed revused club organisational structure to even out the workload, the ongoing negotiations with local developers and Council to identify opportunities for more playing fields and a club house, the development of a long term business plan to guide our strategc direction and the appointment  of  independent chartered accountants to audit and enhance the Club's financial situation.

A special Thankyou must go to outgoing  Executive and Committee members Ben Lewis and Darren Byrnes. Ben has done a fantastic job as junior Vice President and Darren has ensured great Club morale as the Club's Social Director and has further enhanced our professionalism by administering the Club's website with the assistance of his wife,Elisa. I am confident that both Ben and darren will remain integral members of our Club and be part of the Wildcats family.

Thanks again for everybody's effort this year and I look forward to seeing you all at Pre Season training early next year.

John Mouland- President, Warnervale Rugby Union Club