Report by Len Cheston, Chairman

The Club held its Committee meeting using Zoom on Tuesday 7th July. The training sessions being held at Chingford Rugby Club were reviewed. It was agreed that the sessions had gone well and were well subscribed. With the FA guidance unchanged, the committee decided to continue to run all the sessions at Chingford for the next three weeks. Should the Wednesday sessions become oversubscribed then an additional pod will be offered for the early session.

During this period Committee members will explore moving to 3G pitches at either Douglas Eyre or Wadham Lodge. The Score have been in contact and plan to re-open in early September. The Club have booked the Tuesday evening session, women’s Thursday evening session and the over 60s Friday session from the beginning of September. At the meeting Neil Taylor of Leyton Orient Trust reported that Ive Farm may not re-open until September.

KVVE Massemen from Belgium, whom we visited last year, have been in touch about playing in their tournament in September. The Committee agreed that we needed to await further FA guidance on contact sport and will give KVVE Massemen our final decision hopefully before August 21 this year. Details about the proposed trip will be issued in the next few days.

The Committee agreed to explore a potential mixed team visit to Orient’s French namesake Lorient who have recently been promoted to the French top division. This would involve attending a Lorient match and a walking football game against a local team.

The Club want to increase the number of FA Level 1 coaches and will be willing to part fund the costs of training. The Club will also look to part fund one Level 1 trainer towards their Level 2. We will also be looking for volunteers to attend the referee training when it next takes place. Again more details to follow.

Financially the club remains in a healthy position, with £1200 held in cash and at the bank.

Finally the Committee acknowledged the tremendous work that Trevor Ridley has put into the club holding the membership together through this Covid-19 crisis by organising zoom meetings, newsletters, telephone calls and emoji quizzes.

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