CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
The Chairman opened the meeting by setting out the key objectives of the OSC as set out in the Constitution.
He stated that some people believed that Members of the Committee simply turned up on match day and stood around in the Riverside and 2003 Lounge doing little else. This could not be further from the truth.
At this point the Chairman thanked his fellow Committee Members for their voluntary work and the hours they devote to the OSC.
He went on to say that everybody on the Committee had an important role and that all the work done was without payment or reward.
He confirmed that there was no financial assistance received from the Ospreys save for the supply of signed shirts and balls for raffle prizes.
There were no freebies nor benefits. Indeed, when buses were run, and functions organised, Committee Members paid the same price as all Supporters.
The Chairman advised the meeting that there were regular meetings with the Ospreys and there were on occasions, differences of opinion.
The Chairman confirmed that the Joint Supporters Group (JSG) continued to flourish and that meetings regularly took place with Martyn Phillips (Chief Executive WRU), Mark Davies (Chief Executive Pro Rugby Wales) and Martin Anayi (Chief Executive Guinness Pro 14 Rugby).
The meetings allow the four supporters groups to raise issues which they know supporters want aired. When considering the amount of work undertaken by the Committee, it was extremely irritating for all concerned and indeed upsetting for some, when keyboard warriors take to social media to question the Committee’s integrity and motives.
The Chairman outlined the difficulties in organising social events due to the high price in Stadium use, unfortunately, the costs were prohibitive. The OSC were fortunate to have free use of the Pavilion in Llandarcy although numbers at that venue were limited.
It was hoped that a further Q & A would be arranged before the end of the year.
Finally, the Chairman referred to the new Supporters badge and the OSC’s support of Alun Wyn Jones’s charities during his testimonial year.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
The secretary began by thanking the chairman and the rest of the committee. He was a founder member along with Mike Phippen and was pleased that everything put in place at the start had come to fruition.
Grant Berni runs the Neath bus. Melanie and Nigel Maggs have until recently run the Port Talbot bus. They have had to stand down from that, but a group of supporters have taken over the running of the bus.
Five buses were organised for Judgement day and a bus was organised for the home/away fixture against Stade Francais.
It was Ray Morgan’s dream that we create something of a rugby club with a bit of post match atmosphere in the Riverside, hopefully we have gone some way to achieving that.
OSC contribution to the match day programme is down to the good work of Sarah Davies and Louise Collins.
The OSCA is another success, due to the fact that it can only be won and is not for sale, it is quite sought after by the players.
Badges are also popular with sales of old badges still popular.
AWJ was granted a testimonial year as a result of a request from the OSC.
Social media is also on the up, with nearly 10,000 followers on Twitter and 2,300 on Facebook.
The website is a great addition to the supporters club, Grant Berni doing a sterling job in setting that up and maintaining it.
The Q & A was well received by those who attended.
Finally the secretary said that he hoped the OSC worked for the benefit of all during the season.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Bank Account has a balance of £3124 after all Income and expenditure. If the sponsorship doesn’t materialise at least we have enough funds to cover the cost of the GROGGS this season.
The committee was grateful to Gower Brewery for their sponsorship of last seasons GROGGS. At this point in time we are unsure as to whether they are continuing their sponsorship.
The GROGGS have increased in price to £125, £500 to be sent to the GROGG shop to pay for the next four.
The OSC has had no funding from the Ospreys apart from the first year of their inception.
Last year the Ospreys paid for the badges with all proceeds going to Ospreys wheelchair rugby. This year following a suggestion from the Chairman, the OSC decided to do something different, instead off OSC they were inscribed with AWJ, with all profit being donated to AWJ’s chosen charities. The Ospreys for whatever reason can’t be seen to be supporting the testimonial year and therefore were unable to pay for the badges. The OSC paid the £555 inclusive of VAT, the down side being we were unable to claim the VAT back.
Since the OSC’s inception we have supported many charities. Last season we raised £212 for Phil Lewis’s chosen charity, £280 for Aberavon Greenstars ,£1000 for the wheelchair rugby, and £200 for Interburns a charity that Jeff Hassler and Tylor Ardron were involved with.
Previous to these we have raised money for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, Cwmtawe Brass Band, Stepping Stones, Gleision Miners Appeal, St Davids Hospice, Maesteg RFC, Wales Deaf Rugby, Wales Wheelchair rugby,The Matavesi Fund, Jerry Collins Fund, and Paul Harris’s Marathon.
Total raised since the OSC’s inception is £8103.
AOB
Request received from Mark Bennett Jones re members of supporters club to assist with a promotional video 6pm on Wednesday.
OSC were asked their views on the 2003 club. The change was going to be brought up with Andrew Millward, but his secretary had cancelled the meeting. Our view was that the Ospreys had taken their eye of the ball as regards the ordinary supporter and that was a mistake. Two members of the 2003 said that Andrew was very vocal during the Q&A and seemed to take their complaint re communication on board but they are still waiting for a reply.
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