The Richmond Rugby Foundation 2009 Annual Report and Status Update April 2010

Huge News! We reached a major milestone on March 30, 2010 when the Henrico County Board of Zoning Appeals approved our application for changes to our conditional use permit. Our new permit allows us to host much larger events and move forward with the next phase of our development plans. Our commitment to being good citizens and responsible and respectful members of the Seven Pines community weighed heavily on this positive outcome.

Seven Pines Rugby Park We have come a long way since 1988 when we signed the note to purchase 9.27 acres of land on Whiteside Road in Sandston. Our initial $15,000 down payment was the result of years of fundraising by The Richmond Rugby Club. In 1999, through many donations and fundraising efforts The Richmond Rugby Foundation was able to make the final payment on the loan.

Since 1999, with the help of generous supporters and much volunteer effort, we have been able to clear, grade and seed enough land for the first pitch, a warm-up area and a parking area. We played our first match at Seven Pines Rugby Park in the spring of 2006 and our field is now the home pitch of the Richmond Lions and VCU.

Over the past year both College and Club sides have used Seven Pines for Matrix and Friendly Matches that otherwise would have been canceled when weather or scheduling conflicts made their normal home fields unavailable. Located in the middle of the state and with easy Interstate access, Seven Pines is available for use by any rugby club for reasonable fees. In the fall of 2009 we cleared, graded and seeded a new area that is about half the size of a rugby pitch. This will serve as a much needed warm-up and practice area. We also added topsoil, lime and grass seed to our existing pitch to improve the playing surface. Seven Pines Improvements completed in 2009 Septic System Design and Permit

$1,110.00

Clear, Seed and Lime Warm-up area

$2,400.00

Topsoil, Seed, Lime and Fertilize Pitch

$2,500.00

Bleachers

$855.00

Shelter

$930.00

Immediate Development Plans In the coming months we will be finalizing plans and applying for the required building and erosion control permits required for: • Parking and driveway improvements • Landscaping buffers • Fencing and physical security • Removal of tree piles and logs • Electricity and security lighting • Enclosed Trash receptacles • Park Signage • Well and septic system

Intermediate Development Plans To make Seven Pines more family-friendly (and to curtail the on-going cost of port-a-potties) we plan to build a picnic shelter with restroom facilities and grilling station. Additional funding is required before we can begin this project and, like every project that we have completed, we will need individuals and/or organizations to lend a hand. If you have skills or equipment that you can share, please let us know!

Proposed Picnic Shelter

Long-Term Development Plans A second pitch, irrigation, field lighting, and eventually a clubhouse are in the plans for future projects and we will pursue these goals in a financially responsible way.

The Richmond Rugby Foundation always needs and appreciates any support that you can provide in the form of donations and/or volunteer work. Clean out your garage and make a donation! We are in need of a reliable lawn tractor, wheelbarrow, rakes, shovels and other tools and implements to maintain our park. Some playground equipment would also add a needed element to serve the many young families who visit our park. If you have equipment that you no longer need please consider giving it a new life as a tax deductable contribution to the RRF.

Youth Rugby After several years of continued growth, in 2009 our youth teams began competing with clubs from the Potomac Rugby. A successful season was capped off with a third place finish in the Coventry Commonwealth Games in Springfield. In March of this year the young Lions played in front of 3,800 spectators (perhaps the largest crowd ever for rugby in Virginia) during the halftime of a Richmond Raiders Arena Football game. Under the direction of Eric Payne the RRF provides organizational and financial support and coaching for the youth program. The RRF hosted Rugby Virginia’s U19 and U17 2009 Team tryouts at Seven Pines and we plan to continue our outreach this spring by hosting the VRU College Select Side’s practices and game.

VCU Scholarship Fund We recently established a scholarship fund in cooperation with the VCU Old Boys. With ample support of the VCU Rugby Alumni we expect that the scholarship fund will grow to give ongoing financial assistance for deserving VCU Rugby studentathletes. We look forward to reporting very positive developments and progress in future reports.

Virginia Rugby Hall of Fame The RRF has identified a need for recognizing and honoring those who have made exceptional contributions to establishing the high standard of rugby that we enjoy in Virginia. As part of our outreach to the rugby community, RRF undertaken an effort to organize and sustain a Rugby Hall of Fame for Virginia. The RRF intends to develop a Hall of Fame event surrounding the annual induction ceremonies that will attract rugby enthusiast of all ages and serve to keep them involved with the game of rugby throughout their lifetime.

We are always open to any Fundraising opportunities. If you have any ideas/suggestions please feel free to contact a Board Member to discuss them. Richmond Rugby Foundation, Ltd. ● P.O. Box 11571 ● Richmond, VA 23230-1571

2009 Financial Results 2009 was a very successful year financially thanks to a major donation and many smaller ones that were the result of Johnny Fleming’s tireless efforts. We supplemented the financial support that we received from The Richmond Lions with income from field usage fees and RRF fundraising efforts. We continue to utilize volunteers to perform the majority of our labor and shop very carefully before spending our supporters’ money. Income: Donations Field Usage Fees Richmond Lions Support RRF Fund Raising Efforts Total Income Expenses: Taxes Insurance Field Maintenance Capital Improvements Administrative Youth Rugby Fund Raising and Field Prep Total Expenses Income minus expenses

$ $ $ $ $

20,090.28 2,150.00 1,978.50 1,074.32 25,293.10

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

679.47 920.52 3,636.92 5,294.39 251.19 953.00 1,816.59 13,552.08 11,741.02

Bank Balance 1/1/2009 Receipts Expenses Total Balance - All Accounts 12/31/09

$ $ $

6,658.55 25,293.10 13,552.08

$

18,399.57

Receivables/Pledges Due

$

2,150.00

The RRF’s mission is to promote and improve rugby at all levels throughout the Richmond area and the State of Virginia. Our current efforts include development and operations for Seven Pines Rugby Park and support of youth, college, club and old boy rugby. The Richmond Rugby Foundation's membership consists of current and former players from Richmond RFC, RATS RFC, James River RFC, Richmond Lions RFC, VCU RFC and rugby enthusiasts from many other origins. There is no formal process for joining The RRF. All one needs to be one of us is a love for the game and a desire to see it flourish.

The Richmond Rugby Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS guidelines.

The Richmond Rugby Foundation Board of Directors Pete Sweet Steve Parker Danny Patterson Reyn Kinzey Cary Kennedy

Liam Riley Stuart Corker Eric Payne Greg Crandall

Chairman Vice-Chairman Treasurer Secretary At Large Committee Chairmen Facility Manager Old Boys Youth Director Scholarship

804-932-9304 804-921-5148 804-201-7887 804-339-2748 757-532-1356

804-441-0906 804-441-0906 804-467-4628 804-402-7275

Richmond Rugby Foundation, Ltd. ● P.O. Box 11571 ● Richmond, VA 23230-1571