September 2009.

Dear Member,

I am writing to you to announce some exciting developments that are happening at Rosslyn Park at this time. With the sponsorship from Arena Events Group secured during the summer months together with the continued generous sponsorship of Simon Tindall and others, we are once again well placed to challenge for further success, at all levels of rugby, in the  near future.

With that anticipated success however come new challenges that the Club needs to prepare itself for.

Firstly, Rosslyn Park is a large family club with numerous social, youth and minis sides together with a top quality semi-professional squad. It follows therefore that Rosslyn Park must ensure that it provides the appropriate day-to-day platform and level of service that our members expect from being part of a professional and family sports facility as large and as successful as ours.

Secondly, the Club must take responsibility for its own destiny and ensure that it can fund and provide that platform both now and in the future as it succeeds and grows. Further sponsorship and investment will only come if the Club is seen to drive and control its own commercial well-being.

To meet those challenges, I have the following announcements.

Steve Kearns:

Having opened this letter with the words that I have “to announce some exciting developments”, I am afraid that I have to begin with some sad news. Steve has decided to leave the Club to pursue a career in the “real world”, outside a semi-professional, family rugby club. On the one hand this decision has been incredibly difficult for Steve, whose dedication to the Club and its members has become legendary. On the other hand, the necessity for him to enhance his career prospects together with his earning potential, has tipped the balance.

Steve has achieved a huge amount during his time as a senior manager with the Club and I thank him on everyone’s behalf for his passionate efforts. I hope that Steve will consider the option of continuing to assist the Club in some shape or form in the future. Steve will be staying with the Club, on a part time basis, until at least the end of November but rest assured and a warning to all opposition hookers out there, “Kearnsy” will still be playing his rugby at the “Park”!

Shaun Justice:

With the departure of Steve, Shaun Justice has been appointed Managing Director of Rosslyn Park F.C reporting directly to the Chairman.  His responsibilities will now cover all day-to-day commercial and operational aspects of Rosslyn Park as well as the development of Rugby at the Club at all levels. Shaun has clearly demonstrated that he can deliver results on the pitch. Now, with his excellent management skills and his desire for the Club to succeed, Shaun will be responsible for building a team that will deliver that day-to-day platform and service that our members expect.

“Commercial Board”:

I have been authorised by both the Executive and General Committee’s to form this Board. This new group has been formed to ensure that the Club controls its own financial destiny and can finance the platform that Shaun and his team will need. It is responsible for ensuring that the Club is as commercial as it can be in everything that it does from rugby, to events, to investments and sponsorship. Joining Shaun, Pete Curry (Club Treasurer) and myself on this Board, I am delighted to announce the presence of three other members. Firstly, Simon Tindall, who after a long and successful career in Publishing , has been the principal sponsor for the Club in the last few seasons and without whose generosity we simply would not be playing the level of rugby that we play today. Simon has been a life-long supporter of Park with his Grandfather playing for the Club in the mid 1880’s. Secondly, Donnie Masters. Donnie has been heavily involved in the Club over the last five years and in particular in the development and coaching of our very successful Minis division. Donnie brings to the table a wealth of commercial experience after 25 years in the film business where he owns his own production company, Serious Pictures. And finally, Jim Turley. Jim, like Donnie, has been very involved in the development and coaching of our Minis for a number of years. Jim has over 20 years experience in the City and was a Managing Director on the Investment Banking Board at Deutsche Bank. Initially, Jim will also be helping Shaun with his new responsibilities.

Like me, I am sure you will all be sad to be losing Steve but also, hopefully, like me, you will be very excited about these announcements and developments as the Club prepares itself to be even more successful both on and off the pitch.

Kindest regards,

John Adair

Chairman

Please click on the attached link to download the letter. . Letter to members – Sept 09