July marks the official start of our new season in the newly named Midlands Premier League. The fixtures have been released and are available to view on our website www.beesrugby.com .

There are some great local derbies with newly promoted Bournville plus Bridgnorth, Lichfield and our local rivals Old Halesonians. We are also looking forward to renewed friendships with Newport Salop and Scunthorpe plus the 'new kids on the block' - Doncaster Phoenix and Newbold on Avon.

Derby was my personal favourite away game last season and I heard good reports about Sandbach and their warm hospitality. Throw into the mix Longton, Peterborough Lions & Nuneaton and I think we have an interesting season approaching.

Glacks has been busy, not only recruiting most of last season players, but also a new forwards coach, Stewart Pearl. As a former Bee himself, it’s great to see Stewart return along with Sports Therapist Gemma and "Bees Diamonds" Rona Higgins and Jinksy as Team Manager. Tom Greevy has an assistant coach this year - Steve Clarke - to help with The Hornets.

There have been some great signings to bolster our team and they have been training for 3 weeks already - earlier than previous seasons. Richard Taylor, in his role of Strength and Conditioning Coach, has been cracking the whip with their fitness along with a weekly “torture” fitness session at Darren Forder's gym.

Three weekends of 7’s festivals has enabled the lads to bond earlier than before, leading to a hungry team ready for the challenges ahead.

As season ticket holders last season you will be pleased to know that prices remain the same at £100 per adult and £50 concession. All season ticket holders benefit from being included in the International Ticket draw and three “bring a friend” tickets. The link for the application form is attached.

Many of you enjoyed our Yum Scrum pre match hospitality and we are again offering a reduction for season ticket holders @ £12 each instead of £17 for non season ticket holders. It would be great if you could book in advance as we did sell out at some games last year and we couldn’t offer our valued supporters a place. If you are celebrating a birthday let us know. We can provide a cake and a tune from our President Mike Brennan (although he is yet to jump out of one!)

Also new this season is the 200 Club. A great fundraiser which also means that you get the opportunity to win cash prizes throughout the year. A link to the application form is also attached but if payments could be made separately please, as we have a separate bank account for the 200 Club.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate getting in touch.

I look forward to seeing you all at our first home game v Scunthorpe on Saturday 2nd September.

COYB

Kind regards

Tina