NEW plans for improvements to Hereford Rugby Club facilities at Wyeside were unveiled at the annual general meeting on Monday, writes Jeremy Finney.

Colts secretary Mike Rowlatt, who is heading the project, said that as a successful club with a junior section of 170 producing future talent there was a need for better facilities at Wyeside.

He outlined four phases of a plan to provide new changing and welfare facilities, a new stand, a multi-functions and social room, and a new kitchen, office and bar cellar.

A Sports Council grant of £25,000 would help fund the first phase, to which the club would have to add £15,000, while the whole scheme would be over five years.

Planning permission had yet to be granted but adjustments to the plan had been made to combat any flooding problems and the scheme had the support of local people.

Chairman Guy Griffiths said in his report that after a poor start to the league programme, the first team had recovered to perform well before fading a little towards the end of the season.

They finished in a respectable league position and, with Mark Morrison joining Andy Douthwaite to strengthen coaching, the future looked promising.

Skipper Jason Lewis was working hard to recruit new players, while the colts teams and junior sections were at great strength and running successfully. Lewis was elected for another term as first-team captain and Gareth Griffiths was made second team skipper.

Officers: president, John Watkins; chairman, Guy Griffiths; secretary, Pete Greenow; treasurer, Simon Smith; chairman of rugby, Gus Grisman; fundraising, Dave Benjamin; colts secretary, Mike Rowlatt; junior section chairman, Alex Hustwayte.