Gavin looking forward to new season as he becomes President of CRF&CC

A retired teacher, Gavin has been a member of Coleraine for more than 40 years, playing rugby, cricket, refereeing and taking an active part in all areas of the club.

Gavin said: “For a period of 46 years I have really enjoyed playing, spectating and being an active member of the Club, so it is a very special honour and privilege to be president for the 2016/17 season.

“I firmly believe our Club is one of the best multi sports clubs in Ulster. We have a superb location in the town, our wonderful buildings are the envy of many and our playing surfaces are amongst the best, including the excellent hockey pitch and training facility on our doorstep.

“We put all this to good use with 20 teams, both adult and youth, turning out in Coleraine colours for rugby, cricket, hockey and table tennis matches. If we then add the 300 plus primary age children who come to learn and enjoy these sports, the Chargers who are a joy to watch and the non-playing members, we form a large sporting organisation of which we can all be very proud.

“I take special pleasure in the adoption of the Alzheimers Society as the club charity this year”

Gavin wants to engage with all the members of the club and wants members themselves to get engaged with the club.

He said: “Success is often a result of good governance and I believe we have this as well, due to the many very able volunteers who apply their skills to the Club. With our house in good order we can attract sponsorship and I express the gratitude of the whole Club to our generous sponsors.

“My theme for this year is the instructions referees use at a scrum. Their call is “crouch, touch, engage”. I want to engage with all members and in return I ask all members to engage with the Club.”

Looking forward to his year in office Gavin said: “May the 1st XV build on their progress of last season and make the step up to Qualifying 1, cricket and hockey continue to win trophies, table tennis and women’s rugby grow in numbers, youth and children continue to learn skills and character forming qualities.

“Good luck and best wishes to all players and non players. I hope you get as much fun from your Club as I have done over the years.”

If you want to find out more about any of the sports on offer at the Club or the facilities available to members of the Club, please call into the clubhouse and speak to any of our members, or call 028 7034 3972. New players and members are always welcome