To be honest, I’m not sure MKGA has the same visual impact as MAGA – and certainly won’t look great on Baseball caps – but I’ve been thinking about introducing a slogan and this is the best I’ve come up with.

For those of you with a modicum of observational skills, you might also note that the slogan also doesn’t work particularly well as I’m of the opinion that we’ve never been greater than we are now!!

2024 has brought many challenges to us as a community with political & economic shenanigans domestically and abroad, the RFU facing accusations of not developing grass roots Rugby and the failure of the British Lions Rugby selectors to enquire about my availability for the forthcoming Tour for the 10th consecutive occasion.

Despite all of this unpleasantness, Kesteven RFC continues to flourish and represent an oasis of everything that’s good in our game. The Men’s and Ladies sides are continuing to display the best rugby any of us can remember and flying high in their respective Leagues, our Colts, Juniors and Minis sections (Boys and Girls) continue to flourish providing talent for NLD squads and representative sides across the board (oh….and England – nice work Dinger!!!), and our Silverware Cabinet is groaning with the abundance of trophies as never before.

What’s done on the field however is only part of the story. Off the field our Board works tirelessly on our behalf making all the tough, and sometimes easy, calls to ensure the Club runs smoothly. Running a Club such as ours doesn’t happen by accident and these guys provide the fuel to our fire and their contributions should not go unmentioned – thank you Dimitri, Kerri, Tom, Jade, Ash, Gavin, Mike, Rob, SJ, Ben, Lillimae, James and Henry – volunteers all and worthy of our thanks.

Coaches, of course, sprinkle the fertilizer on our crops and there are too many to mention here but ‘Director Of Rugby’ Tom Webster, ‘Ist XV Head Coach’ Matt McClurg and Martyn Parker ‘ Ladies Head Coach’ are the figureheads for our Senior sides, SJ for the Girls section and Ben Mitchell overseeing the Mini and Junior Sections deserve a special call out – thank you guys for your inspiration and perspiration! That goes for all of the Coaches throughout the Club – what you sow the Club is able to reap a bountiful harvest year after year – you change lives.

They say an Army marches on its belly, and crikey what a team we have providing those rations!! Laura and her team continue to work magic with their antiquated kitchen appliances and our position as the centre of culinary excellence within the Rugby Community continues to grow. If any of you can make one of the upcoming pre-match lunches I promise you a taste tingling sensation – book a group of you to come along, I promise it’ll be a memorable afternoon for all.

To the Team managers, Physios, Supporters, Parents and Friends of the Club I offer you my thanks and admiration for your life choices…..it’s a Family thing!!

Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Conrad Beaumont over the Festive Period. He was one of us, and we’ll all miss him, and be grateful for the memories of a truly special guy – love especially to Amy, Phoebe and Fenton.

Lastly, a reminder that there will be a special Rugby match on Saturday 28th where ex-President Mike Money and I will tussle for the President’s Cup (I wonder if Amazon will be able to deliver one at such short notice). This will be an inter-Club event with hopefully a few guest appearances from past players and some ‘ringers’. Make a date in your diaries as it’ll be a full on encounter with many a sore head afterwards!! See you all there I hope.

Enjoy the Festive period everyone; refuel and recharge, for 2025 brings new challenges and new opportunities to shine. Whether you chose to kiss, hug or just fist-bump Santa please be respectful and stay safe.

Black and Proud,

Angus