Coventry
The Update
By Steve Kimberley
November 12 2021
A few off the cuff observations - just to keep the Forum going, doncha know? (Even if there's also a serious point to be made)
Members of this forum – or at least some of the members – have been somewhat willing to openly criticise the club for its apparent lack of communication to the paying spectators/club members/ST Holders.
While there may be some justification for a little frustration regarding this issue, there really isn't cause to lump on the club's staff unnecessarily at this time.
Erin has since clarified the situation quite well on the Forum, and I thank her for that.
Her annoyance definitely shines through in that message though – and even though it was good to get her perspective, I'm somewhat miffed that it had to get to that stage.
Most of the 'staff' (I don't use the punctuation in a derogatory fashion – merely to clumsily emphasise the fact that there are paid Staff and unpaid volunteers, and I consider them all to be staff), or those that are left in the aftermath of the pandemic, are working their nuts off (with due deference to the ladies among them) to ensure the ongoing viability of our football club, so it really isn't a stretch to realise that some/maybe all are just a little bit piqued when such discussions arise.
As I said on the Forum; sometimes a little reflection is called for prior to jumping in.
Let's draw a metaphorical line under that right here.
On a brighter note, last Saturday's win at the Arena couldn't have come at a better time. Spirits among playing staff were probably flagging slightly, even with RW and team's encouragement, so to score four tries against an improved Nottingham (compared to pre-season at least) must be satisfying for all.
Particularly pleasing given the long (and growing) injury list (12? 14? I can't keep up) is the way that the young Academy players have stood up and faced the challenge of filling some big boots on the pitch. All who have stepped in deserve praise, but 30 points from the hands and boot of two of them warrants particular acclaim.
Many congratulations to Louis James and Evan Mitchell.
The future's bright.
It's been good to see that the club are attracting the right kind of attention from outside the world of rugby union too.
Recent sponsorship deals with seemingly unconnected (to rugby) companies augur well for the future as we attempt to drag ourselves out of the gloom of the RFU's obvious lack of nurturing for its own sport, plus the massive impact that Covid has had.
Koffmann's is not a name that will be familiar to all that many people, but possibly more will have heard of three Michelin Star chef Pierre Koffmann.
It's his name that's appended to the company that now has its label attached to players' sleeves and to the perimeter fence of the BPA pitch, and it's his family connection to a former player and to a recently promoted (from the Academy) winger, James Martin, that may well have had some small influence on that (he said, tongue in cheek).
Monsieur Koffmann has a stellar history in the industry, having been head chef at the Roux brothers' Waterside, Bray; Tante Claire, London – where he won his Michelin gongs – and Koffmann's at the Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge.
Not a bad name to have associated with the rugby club – especially as he is also a huge rugby fan.
I doubt we'll see Marco Pierre White's favourite rival dish of pig's trotter with chicken mousseline, sweetbreads and morels served up in the bar any time soon, but maybe we can look out for Spud King Simon's frozen french fries?
Over and out.
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12/11/2021 15:27
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:11:25:09:25:27 by Kimbo.
I have found every one of them interesting and they often touch on subjects I perhaps havent thought of or perhaps have little knowledge around the chosen subject.
Regarding the first part of the article, yes we need to be grateful to staff at the club for their hardwork - whether they are in employment or volunteers. I for one in the past have pointed out many have to wear different hats and spin many plates.
But I dont feel that should prevent fans giving feed back or criticism. If the club don't know then things don't change. I agree people perhaps need to think things through before pitching their case.
It was pleasing to see Erin come on and give her side of things - because that can give us a greater understanding. However I don't recall any poster criticising her by name. I think frustrations at 'lack of information coming from the club' was at the club as a whole. So probably more at the normal sources of information like Jon Sharp, Nick Johnston and Rowland Winter.
I personally feel the lack of player information actually under sold the build up to this season. Having already purchased my season ticket I was already committed to it. However if I had been in the shall I or shan't I situation I probably would not have purchased.
There are a lott of future changes ahead with the preposed development of the ground. I feel it is key the club use the opportunity of change to take the club forward. But it is important they retain what the fans like and what the club do well and improve what they don't do so well.
The best way to achieve that is for the fans to give feedback. That at least gives the club the opportunity to respond - even if it is just an explanation of why it is like it is.
I would also like to comment on the second part of the article. Because for me Rowland Winter has done a fantastic job in coming in and taking us from an average mid National 1 team to a team that feels it should be in the top half of the Championship. But I think equally the speed the Development Squad has been assembled and nurtured is perhaps one of the clubs greatest achievements. Of course that is not just down to one person but a club effort.
Seeing many of them come in and produce impressive performances has been a big positive this year. It bodes well for the future of Coventry Rugby Club. I also think the players who have come in as dual registered or loaned have been good quality.
For me the season has been hampered by lengthy injuries to key players and some of the DR's, it seems, being recalled to parent clubs to cover their own injuries.
Lets hope we can find a bit of momentum as the season progresses especially after the character the young squad showed against Nottingham.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:11:12:18:28:52 by HoboAl.
Thanks for your comments though.
Appreciated.
Quote:Kimbo
Nobody, so far as I can tell, and certainly not me, has said anything about Erin being criticised by name Al.
Thanks for your comments though.
Appreciated.
I agree - I just felt she had perhaps taken some of the criticism personally, possibly because she is new in post. I really don't think anybody is criticising her personally.
The perfect storm of the pandemic and the loss of "guaranteed" RFU funding was inevitably going to lead to significant changes which has seen a number of the experienced backroom staff leave the club, to be replaced by a new team.
Five years ago, we met with the club to discuss reviving and sponsoring a "Firework Night Party". Our hope was to create a community event, which could benefit local charities and voluntary organisations as well as bringing new faces and funds into the rugby club.
The event grew through the first three years and I think that there were just over 2,000 people at the 2019 event.
Bearing in mind the staff changes, I was a little concerned about this year's event.
I should not have worried - Tickets for 3,500 people sold, and the event passed off safely and (to the best of my knowledge) without any major hitches - we could not have been more pleased.
When I went around on the following day to thank the staff, they were busy preparing for a lunchtime event.
My sincere thanks go to the backroom staff and some volunteers who made the event such an outstanding success.
Julian Ballinger Builders' Supply Stores
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:11:17:16:44:16 by JB57.
Can you arrange one every week?
Soon make up the shortfall that way.
😉
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