Club members voted at recent general meeting to adopt and approve the new Articles of Association for the incorporation of Stroud Rugby Club, the new legal entity established being Stroud Rugby Limited.

“Our new status will provide a more professional image for the club in our dealings with other organisations” Chair of Stroud Rugby ltd Roger Hughes said, adding “By demonstrating permanence and commitment to effective and responsible management, It gives both suppliers and members a sense of confidence, opening up new business opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available”.

The approach also conforms to the recommendations of the RFU’s Governance Committee who was concerned about the number of rugby clubs that continue to have unincorporated legal status and the consequent personal financial risk to their committee members and officers. The RFU said “Without rugby’s volunteer club administrators, the English game as we know it would not exist. The RFU does not want to see those very same people unnecessarily running the risk of personal financial disaster because of their commitment on behalf of the game and their community”.

Elected to the Board of Directors of Stroud Rugby Limited were Roger Hughes (Chair), Rob Cantle (Vice-Chair), Dave Cole (Finance), Rupert Foote (Senior Rugby) and Nicky Gamble (Mini/Youth Rugby).

Roger Hughes said “Please be assured that this progression will in no way affect members and for everyone it is business as usual”. He added “The Trustees and the team are delighted with this development, recognising the potential opportunities that it brings to the club” Mr Hughes went on to say “This is the result of several years’ work and is part of a wider plan for the development for the club. I would like to thank the outgoing committee, in particular Jo Hammonds and John Hughes, for their hard work in getting us to this point.”

Stroud Rugby maintained its Western Counties North League status, finishing a creditable 5th on its return season. The town club begins the 2016/17 league campaign with a home game against old rivals Cheltenham on Saturday 3rd September 2016, KO 3pm.