1963 President's Report, H.J. Rogers

Gentlemen,

1962 provided one of our best years in regard to strength in numbers of playing members.   There were occasions when we had players left over after fielding three teams.   With such strength we should have been able to have done much better in the competition. However due to lack of attendance at training, lack of club spirit and other problems a dismal end of the season eventually arrived.

Rugby is not a game just to be played on each Saturday.  The more you can put into your interest, the more you will get out of it.  Training alone will keep you fit and healthy and enable you to enjoy life.

During the season it was disgraceful to see and hear team members arguing amongst themselves during a game.  In all cases this was a joke with our opposition.   Endeavour to remember if you have a coach, listen to what he has to say.  A Captain's duty on the field is to carry out the coach's instructions, not to change them immediately after the game commences.  A team which goes on the field with one idea will always do better than a team with fifteen ideas.  Woodville Club and Burnside Club were two excellent examples of this discipline.

Slackness.  The condition of togs worn by some of our members on lots of occasions was nothing short of disgraceful.  It is the duty of every member to see that his boots are properly spiked and laces are not perished, but are properly tied.   Cleaning boots now and again is better than sitting in the pub sipping grog.
Our training ground is equipped with good change rooms and excellent lighting on the field.  The first year we had lights good attendances prevailed, however this was before the advent of television in S.A.  Today it seems to be a habit to drop into the pub until closing time, go home, have a heavy meal, sit in front of the fire and watch television and mumble to yourself 'To hell with training, I'll get my game', with a couldn't care-less attitude as to what is happening with the coach and selectors at Linden Park.

How to Improve?  I suggest if you want to get anywhere as a Club the following actions should take place:-
(1)  A full attendance at the Annual General Meeting to voice your opinions in the open and no grumbling afterwards;
(2)  You start thinking about the election of Officers who are capable of making a club out of you;
(3)  Watch your selection of Coach and Captain, they must be good and foreceful;
(4)  Revert to early training, that is between 5pm and 7pm;
(5)  Make up your mind whether you want to be a player or a grumbler;
(6)  Recruit another friend to continually help the building up of the Club.   Three teams is not enough;
(7)  Support your selectors who have had a hard job and who are not biased.

It has been pleasing to note that a lot of interest is being taken in our Cricket outings.   A lot of thanks goes to Ken Meek and others for the effort in this field.   These summer outings help to keep the Club together.
My thanks go out to all the 1962 Club Officials who so capably carried out their duties.   I believe the Balance Sheet looks quite healthy.  Do not waste it, keep on building it up for a good purpose.
Congratulations to all the trophy winners.
Thanks to donors of donations; special thanks to "Mine Host" Peter Prinse and his wife.  Thanks to the Ladies of our Club who helped raise a lot of money for Club funds.

I declare all Club Offices vacant and advise that I am not available for re-election.

H.J. Rogers, President