AGM Report

The Chiefs Supporters Club held its Annual General Meeting at Sandy Park on Tuesday 7th November 2023.

The meeting was well attended.

Below is the Chairman's report.

Billed by some as the ‘swan song’ season for 11 of the Men’s long-serving players, they sadly could not make it happen. Almost unbeaten at home in the Premiership, their away form let them down and they finished 7th in the league. In Europe, they did well, reaching the semi-final where they were beaten by eventual winners La Rochelle. The Premiership Cup squad were excellent, beating London Irish after extra time in the Final, with a performance that promised much for the future. However, the season will surely be remembered for the sad demise of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish - our heartfelt commiserations go to all their supporters.

Chiefs Women had another brilliant season, retaining the Alliance Cup, and once again reaching the Final of the Premiership, where they were sadly beaten for the second year running.

ECSC Events

At last, in 2022/23 our social events started to pick up.

In October, we started with an old favourite - the trip to Otter Brewery, a tour, beer and great food (thanks to Stuart Kennedy for arranging). That was followed by a well-attended evening with Susie Appleby after last year’s AGM in November; Susie treated us to an informative and entertaining journey through her life to date! We had our first sold-out event of the year later that month - wine tasting and food at Topsham Wines arranged by Nat Coles. Another favourite, the Christmas Quiz went down well thanks to Quizmaster , Paul Curgenven.

In March, we had a second sell-out event - Fine Dining at Exeter College arranged by Richard Cresswell. In April, Messrs Curgenven and Kennedy arranged another Fun Quiz, and in July we were all sent looking for clues in Topsham - a great Treasure Hunt organised by Phil Friend.

The Annual Golf Day was held in August at Teignmouth Golf Club. Unfortunately the golf was spoilt by bad weather, but the hard work put in still raised important funds to support our good causes. Thanks once again to David Brown, Phil Briard and John Lockyer and Nat Coles.

ECSC memberships and income

Thanks to Vikki Corrick, our Membership Secretary, and to Charlotte Hernandez, for arranging membership discounts, we currently have a membership of over 450. Members have now have access to over 25 discounts and have been sent free car stickers to help raise our profile.

As you will see from the Annual Accounts (thanks to Phil Briard), the Golf Day was once again a major source of income.

The money we raise goes towards supporting youth and development rugby throughout the South West.

Small Grants Scheme and other donations

From the inception of our Small Grants Scheme in 2017/2018, we have had 56 requests of which 49 have been granted, with a total of £20,700 donated to local youth sections.

During 2022/23, we gave out 10 grants (see Finance Report)

Thanks to Paul Curgenven, our Honorary Secretary, and Phil Briard, our Honorary Treasurer, for administering this on our behalf.

We would welcome further applications from Youth Sections (Girls and Boys) throughout the South West.

Player Sponsorship

We are pleased to be able to continue our support of Exeter Chiefs Women by sponsoring two of their up and coming players Brooke Bradley and Sophie Langford. We would particularly like to congratulate one of our former sponsored players, Maisy Allen, on being capped for England and for scoring a try on her debut at Sandy Park against Canada.

What else is new and ongoing?

- We continue to refresh our website with thanks to Phil Friend

- We have a great presence on social media, thanks to Charlotte Hernandez and Alexis Saffin.

- Ongoing newsletters, with thanks to Gillian Fawcett

- We have started a Supporters Choir; this is being led by Hugh Sutherland. Early days and new members welcome, but we hope to sing in the ground soon.

The ECSC Committee

David Brown, a long-standing member of our Committee is standing down this year and his contribution, particularly to the golf day, will be sorely missed.

Vikki Corrick, our Membership Secretary is also stepping down. Thanks for all your work in helping to build up our membership. Sarah Precious, Dee Brand, and Rich Vicary also left the Committee during the year. Many thanks to them all.

During the year, we have co-opted Charlotte Hernandez, Julie Sinden, Mike Hunt, Colin Searle, and Ron Dickerson onto the Committee pending approval at the AGM.

Subject to those mentioned above, all Committee members and officers have indicated that they are prepared to continue for 2023/24.

We would always welcome other members of the ECSC joining the Committee or just helping out. If you think you could help, please make contact with anyone on the Committee.

Richard Cresswell

Chair, Exeter Chiefs Supporters’ Club

Click Here for the Finance Report (Members Only)