Club History

ANNUAL REPORT 
For the 12 months ending 31 October 2005 

Our identified main goals for 2005 were threefold: 

• to keep four competitive men’s teams on the pitch; 
• to build the pride in and of the First Grade team; and 
• to retain the West End Trophy. 

Each of these goals was achieved. 

• We again fielded four senior men’s teams and a women’s team, and we are the only club to do so. Season 2005 will not be remembered for grand final successes but should nevertheless be celebrated for strong performances in all grades. While we did not secure any premierships in 2005, our Women’s, Fourth Grade and First Grade played in grand finals. While our Second and Third Grades did not make it to the finals, they put in some good solid work which we can build on for greater successes in the coming years. 

We should also remember that our on-field successes this year were achieved despite a sluggish start; we had some weeks with many players unavailable due to state commitments, work or injury. We had more than 60 players unavailable in one particular week. After the first few weeks of the season Old Collegians was winless and lurked at the bottom of the tables in all men’s grades. From this we made it to three senior grand finals. 

• We saw our First Grade evolve into a close knit and loyal unit and I applaud them for their hard work and their commitment to their rugby, their club and each other. I would particularly like to thank coaches Rob Sadler and Graham Raymond and managers Hamish Cranna and Harry Clark for their work with the team. 

• We also retained the West End Trophy for best club for the fifth consecutive year. The West End Trophy is proof that we remain the strongest club in South Australia in terms of participation and development of rugby. 

On other fronts: 

• Our juniors developed further with a significant increase in player numbers and on-field successes, including three teams participating in finals and the Under 14s making it to the Grand Final. 

• Sponsorship continued to be a critical part of the club’s income in order to keep subscriptions down and cover the growing costs associated with providing rugby and facilities to our members. Several business and people provided much needed cash or in-kind sponsorship in 2005, and special thanks must go to Physio Direct, Direct Interiors, One Steel, the Feathers, Coopers Brewery, Hygienic Pigging Systems, Orlando Wines, O’Connell Meats, Dulwich Bakery, Athlete’s Foot, Champs Sport Store and a number of individual benefactors. 

• We continued to improve upon our facilities, with various cosmetic measures being undertaken prior to the season commencing. We should be proud of what we have; our facilities are excellent as evidenced by the number of events we are asked to host, such as Eddie Jones' visit, the carnival celebrating the 10th anniversary of women's rugby in SA, and personal functions for neighbours, friends and members of rival clubs. 
Over summer, we will be: 
o installing a new kitchen (thanks to the generosity of Mark Pickard and Direct Interiors); 
o undertaking the shower upgrade; and 
o with the assistance of Council, upgrading the walkway area in front of the club. 

• Senior player numbers remained approximately static. We collected slightly more in subscriptions this year, despite giving discounts for early payment. The “Free T shirt” offer was quite successful. There has been an improvement in the number and of players paying their subscriptions across the teams, and particularly solid through the First Grade and the Women. 

• After a slow start to the social season, we saw increased numbers at the club and recorded an increase in money spent over the bar. Thanks go to Curtis Hale who again provided great service behind the bar, which continues to be our greatest source of income. 

• We were, as usual, dependant on a small group of dedicated volunteers who provided match reports, canteen services, line marking, ground set up and take down, cleaning and many other jobs to provide an enjoyable environment for our players and supporters. Thanks in particular must go to Sue Thewlis, Ted Apted, Neil and Anne Bradley, Rebecca Derbyshire-Lloyd, Ryan “Boo Boo” Neilsen and John Bell who all performed a number of the mundane, regular duties which keep the club going. 
My thanks and undying admiration to: 
o Sue Thewlis, who is clubs secretary, runs the canteen almost single-handed and without whom we would all be lost. 
o Rob Sadler, our First Grade coach and absolute stalwart of the club. Rob was recognised by SARU as the best coach in the state in 2005. 
o Michael Lowe, Bec Manson and Kate Denley, (and their team) who provide first aid and physiotherapy support. We received praise from SARU on the superior level of our first aid support. 
o In his role as selector, Peter “Jesse” James kept records of games played and players’ injuries which made the administrative process leading into finals much simpler for both Old Collegians and SARU, leading again to thanks and commendations from SARU. 

We remain at the forefront in Adelaide in terms of providing quality facilities and support. 

In closing, I thank the committee, coaches, managers and players for their support and hard work in 2005. 

Kim Evans
President

Treasurer’s Report 12 Months Ending October 31st 2005 

This year our net loss was $3743.05 after allowing depreciation for $6000. Although there has been a loss this year, the club has been successful and it has been a promising year for growth in the near future. 

We have purchased large amounts of merchandise, including club T-shirts for training, several sets of Jerseys, shorts and socks. Very limited amounts will need to be purchased in the new year as we have twice as much stock on hand as last year and all teams had new jerseys so should be able to use those again for 2006. 

It is positive to see that the bar sales have increased, but also our expenses for running the bar have increased. The bar sales could have been better with more support and social functions earlier in the season, also there was a problem we had with Foxtel and we were unable to show several super 12 games at the beginning of the year. There is also a reasonable amount of money tied up in stock behind the bar at the moment of $4493. 

An increase in subscriptions for seniors and juniors this year is very pleasing, thank you to Richard for all of his hard work in collecting money. Offering the T-shirts if paid by a set date may have been a good incentive for people to pay up, they also received a discounted price. 

Presentation dinner was very successful with large numbers catered for at the Burnside Hall, also with good bar sales around $5000 for the evening. Purchase of tickets covered the cost of catering and hire of the venue. 

Travel has increased due to using buses on a couple more occasions, 4th grade etc had a bus to games with long distances to travel and First grade had a bus from the club to Southern Suburbs on Grand final day as a team and return to the club. 

Our insurance account is minimal due to our policy being renewed in Nov, for this financial year the account for $2706 was paid in the last financial year and has already been accounted for. 

All financial information is currently at the Auditors, O’Leary and Polymeanas, Hindmarsh SA, due to timing between the end of our financial year and the AGM, there has not been sufficient time to complete all payments, data-entry and reconciliations to have the Auditors complete our report for the AGM. For those of you who would like a copy of the Auditors report can be sent one out in due time. 

I recommend that these attached financial statements be accepted for the AGM and an Auditors report will become available to our members shortly. Candice Daniel Treasurer

Registrar’s Report
12 Months Ending October 31st 2005

Comments:
• T-shirt offer was quite successful.
• Late start to traditional collections this year (eg “No Pay No play” etc). Will try earlier in 2006.
• Solid numbers through all the grades, especially the 1s & women.
• Didn’t use autopay option for visa/mastercard this year, but received no complaints.
• Slow start but we picked up in numbers and payments steadily through the year.
• 26 Life Members – 14 still active within the club

Richard Waddicor
Registrar