The AGM was held on Monday evening, with a decent turnout of the usual suspects. Ordinarily, when drama’s in the air at Oakley, members appear from every corner, ready to watch the action unfold—but this time, on a crisp November night, the crowd suggested one of two things: either a touch of post-season apathy, or—dare we say it—confidence that the committee’s doing a fine job. In fact, the committee remains exactly as it was last season, unchallenged and intact, ready to steer us into 2025.
For those with an eye on the numbers, the club’s financial position is as strong as ever—if not stronger. While it’s not the place to share figures here (they were available to all on Monday), it’s fair to say that members’ contributions have put us in a superb position to continue improving our facilities. This year, we’re proud to be planning new net lanes and further enhancements to the garden area, all aimed at making Oakley a welcoming space for members, their families, and future players.
But there’s a challenge ahead, one that goes beyond the pitch: we need new members who don’t just show up to play, but who genuinely want to help Oakley grow and thrive. We’re not interested in “rock-up, play, and leave” types; players like that don’t build a club’s spirit. Our goal is to attract those who’ll get stuck in, whether it’s supporting matches, lending a hand at events, or bringing fresh energy to our community. We’ll also need a solution for our All Stars programme now that Ross Hunter has moved on, and while a paid coach might be one option, we’d love to keep it as a club-led initiative. Losing it would be a real shame.
So, as we look forward to 2025, I hope we’re ready to face the challenges together. The First XI will have their work cut out as they meet the bottom half of last year’s County 2—but with the bonds they share, I have no doubt we’ll see it through. Still, we could do with a couple of new players to bolster our ranks. Ultimately, though, the club’s success will depend on the camaraderie and goodwill running through every team, including our Colts and our ever-growing women’s squad. With everyone supporting each other, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. We want every Oakley team to be cheered on with pride, and to create an atmosphere that feels like home.
As winter draws in, let’s look back on the year with gratitude for all the committee has done to keep Oakley moving forward. Let’s rest, recharge, and return in the spring fired up and ready to make this club better than ever. Together, we’ll take Oakley to new heights and build something we can all be proud. It is down to you folks. The platform is there for you.
On you go…
Cheers
The Chair