A Message from the Chairman: Three Months In – What We Do and What We’ve Been Doing

It’s only been three months since I stepped in as Chairman – and what a whirlwind it’s been! Running a club with over 600 members, five sports sections, and a clubhouse that’s always buzzing is no small task.

But here’s the thing – I don’t do this alone. I’m lucky to have a committee of 10 volunteers, each giving at least 10 hours a week (and some clocking up more than 40!) to keep things ticking. All of us share the same vision: to make this club better, stronger, and fitter for the future.

A lot of the hard work happens quietly in the background, so I wanted to lift the lid and give you a look at who does what, and what we’ve been up to these last three months.

What the OWA is (and does)

The Old Wimbledonians Association is the legal body that owns and runs the clubhouse, the bar, and the grounds.

In plain English, that means we:

•  Look after the pitches and facilities.

•  Manage staff, suppliers and all the boring-but-important compliance.

•  Keep the finances safe and the lights on.

•  Represent every single one of our 600+ members, across all sports.

Your £20 membership fee gives us around £10,000 at the start of each year. Sounds a lot. Here’s the kicker: the TV and sports channels swallow up about 80% of that straight away. The pot’s nearly gone before the first whistle blows! That’s why we rely on the clubhouse bar and kitchen to keep us running, and on the Sections chipping in to maintain the pitches.

What the sections do

The sports sections - Rugby, Cricket, Football, Warrior’s minis, and Cricket Colts - are the beating heart of the action. 

They:

•  Organise the fixtures, training and coaching.

•  Look after their own finances.

•  Support their players, parents, and volunteers.

In short, the OWA keeps the place standing, the Sections keep it alive. Neither works without the other.

What we have been doing

Money matters

We’ve brought in dual sign-off on payments and are working towards quarterly accounts so we can see the full club picture. The big step next is setting a proper budget but we can only do that once the 3-5 year grounds plan is nailed down, because that’s where the big investment decisions lie.

Pitches

The rugby and football pitches have been reseeded, top-dressed and fertilised, while the cricket squares have been tucked in for their winter nap. Meanwhile, we’re putting together a 3–5-year plan for the grounds: fewer drainage headaches, better irrigation, and stronger, greener grass with deeper roots – grass so tough it could survive a scrum.

Clubhouse

We’ve finished the inside painting, nearly completed the flooring, and got quotes for new security alarms and CCTV.

We would love to pull together a merry band of volunteers - an in-house maintenance crew - to:

• Repaint the patio furniture and fencing

• Tidy the terrace garden fortnightly

• Clean the clubhouse windows once a month

Think of it as DIY with your mates - and a laugh along the way.

Membership, beer & burgers

A member survey is coming soon, please take five minutes to fill it in, because your feedback really does shape what we do. We’re also reviewing the beer range to suit all tastes and looking again at the food offering. 

Rumour has it there may even be a burger competition to help pick our new beef burger supplier. Any volunteers for the tasting committee?

Funding & small projects

We’re working with the Rugby and Football sections to apply for RFU and FA funding for pitch improvements. At the same time, we’re spotting small capital projects that could benefit all members and attract grants. 

There are loads of opportunities out there – we just need more hands (and brains!) to grab them. If you’ve got skills in fundraising, grant applications, or communications, we’d love you on the team.

Community project 

We’ve been asked by a Housing Association to help provide 1,000 meals a month for people in need in Merton. 

To make it happen we’ll need:

• Corporate partners who care about community.

• Volunteers once a month to help pack and label the meals.

It’s another way this club can do what it does best – pitch in, together, for the community.

Events

This summer saw three fantastic occasions at the club.

• Summer Sessions and Harry Gibbons Day were both charity events, packed with people, laughter, and music – and together they raised a wonderful amount for good causes.

• The 90th Anniversary Cricket Lunch was a more formal celebration – marking 90 years of the club’s existence and giving us a chance to look back proudly on our history while enjoying a great day together.

I won’t steal the Events Team’s parade – they’ll be sending out a dedicated events communication soon with everything they’re lining up for you in the coming months, right up to the time when a certain someone comes down the chimney.

One thing I’d really encourage is for members to support events put on by other sections. You’ll make even more new friends and get to learn about the other sports played at the club.

And here’s a fun fact: did you know that to play 1st XI cricket, the team must buy two brand-new balls for every game – costing £100? These balls are specified by the cricket authorities, and if you don’t have them at the start, the match is abandoned, and you forfeit the game.

That’s how seriously every detail matters!

Sponsorship

For the first time, the OWA is seeking its own sponsors (don’t worry – it won’t clash with section deals). 

With 650 members, we’re a great partner. If you know a company that should be talking to us, give me a shout.

Heritage page

Our new Heritage page is up and running. The first article featured Jim Begley, with another coming this month. It’s a great reminder of the legends who built this club.

Why it matters

The OWA and the Sections have different jobs – but we need each other. The OWA keeps the ship afloat, the Sections keep it lively. Together, we make the Old Wimbledonians what it is.

And let’s not forget - this club is more than just pitches and pints. It’s a place to make friends, play sport, share laughs, and build memories. Some of you started here as tots, and now your own kids are racing around the same grounds. If we could bottle that feeling, we’d be millionaires. We’re lucky to have it - and it’s our job to keep it alive for the next generation.

Fancy being a “giver”?

Everyone at the OWA who gives their time is a volunteer – the “givers”. They’re the people who keep the show on the road. Without them, there is no OWA.

If you’d like to join the givers, please email me at chairman@oldwimbledonians.com.

Whether it’s painting a fence, planting some flowers, helping at an event, or pitching in on a committee - every little bit helps.

See you at the club – on the touchline, in the clubhouse, or dancing at the next event.

Gregory

Chair, OWA

Remembrance Page Now Available

Check out the  Remembrance Page which remembers those from the College who died in the First and Second World Wars.

We have also updated the Notable Alumni page