Annual General Meeting of Biggar Rugby Football Club was held in The
Clubhouse, Hartree Mill Sports Ground on Wednesday 25th June 2025 at 7.30
pm.

AGENDA

1. Welcome and approval of attendees eligible to vote, proxies and apologies.
2. Appointment of Tellers
3. Minutes of the 2024 Annual general Meeting and Matters Arising.
4. President’s Report on the activities of the club.
5. Treasurer’s Report, including report from the independent financial examiner
   and appointment of an independent financial examiner for financial year
   2024/2025.
6. Development & other Playing Reports
7. Short- and Medium-Term Strategy for the Club.
8. Fixing of Annual Subscriptions.
9. Election of Trustees and Officers of the Club.
10. Note from the Trustees
11. A O C B
    
    

1. Welcome and approval of attendees eligible to vote, proxies and apologies.
Quorum
Secretary (M Booth) found there to be over 20 voting members present – the meeting was
deemed “quorate”. (See attendance sheet)
Proxies
M Booth confirmed that we do not have any PROXY VOTES this evening, as none were lodged by the
due date and time.
Motions
M Booth confirmed that no motions have been proposed.
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
Apologies
M Dunlop, J Orr, K Robb, B Drife, D Lavery, I Notman, J Bogle, H Barr

2. Appointment of Tellers
G. Watson and A Stewart were appointed as tellers

3. Minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting
Matters arising – No matters.
Proposer for the minutes – A Stewart
Seconder for the minutes – R Ramsay

4. President’s Report on the Activities of the Club.
The President welcomed members to the AGM and thanked them for their continued support. He paid tribute to two club stalwarts who sadly passed away during the year: Jock Gray, a dedicated volunteer who gave much time and energy to the club, and Alfie Conn, a founding member, former President, and lead trustee, whose contribution to the club over five decades was immeasurable.

On the pitch, it has been a strong year. The Ladies’ team achieved promotion to the Premiership, a milestone recognised as the result of years of dedication from players and coaches. The Men’s 1st XV finished fourth in their league under a new coaching team, showing both challenges and potential for future promotion. The 2nd XV look forward to a more competitive season in Intercity Division 2, while the Colts face challenges with player numbers, though new coaching support has been added. The Midis had a successful season overall, with strong talent but no competition wins, and a need to recruit more players. The Girls’ section continues to thrive, fielding teams at multiple age levels and reaching national finals. The Minis remained active, with the festival as a highlight; thanks were expressed to Mini Convenor Trina, who is stepping down after several years of excellent service.

The President thanked all coaches, managers, first aiders, parents, and volunteers for their commitment across all sections of the club.

Off the pitch, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a highly successful ball attended by over 800 people. Special thanks were given to the anniversary committee and volunteers who organised the celebrations. The year also saw significant facility developments, including the new gym and clubhouse extension, which are already proving valuable assets. The brick wall project is ongoing, with completion expected before the opening night.

Looking ahead, the President noted that Biggar Rugby Club is in a strong position, both in terms of facilities and finances, with no debt and cash reserves. With new management input and streamlined operations, the future is considered very positive.

The President concluded by thanking all members for their continued support and expressed pride in the club’s achievements and facilities.

5. Treasurer’s Report

Including report from the independent financial examiner and
appointment of an independent financial examiner for financial year 2025/26

• BRFC overall position is good and 24-25 again generated a surplus
• Document as in previous years is not the easiest to follow but happy to answer any
  questions
• The club has traded without the need to use its overdraft and should continue to do so
  albeit maintaining it as a safety net.
• 24-25 generated increased sponsorship activity, some of which may not replicate itself in
  future years as was linked to the development works
• Turnover is unlikely to be repeated as skewed by development work but expect to see
  turnover in excess of £350k in future years and given this year’s 50th anniversary weekend
  our turnover will probably be around £0.5M. As well as a social success the weekend
  generated a small surplus
• BRFC now has a broader trading position with earnings from a wider array of sources, thus
  increasing our ability to invest in our core activity of rugby and thus spreading the risk
  should something affect one income steam or another
• Our expanded property is now working for us generating income from our gym, lettings and
  social functions. Consequently, our costs and wages are rising but only proportional to
  income
• 25-26 will see us invest more in the playing and welfare side of the club
• We still have around £20k of expenditure to incur to reach our target expenditure of
  £1.116M for Phase 3 project which was completed within budget, programme and has
  allowed to do a fantastic amount of work. We still have formal accounting information to
  submit to the CWFF but this is in hand and will be done by Sept 25
• There is a bit more detail around the Phase 3 project in the accounts and in particular a note
  detailing and thanking those that helped with the project
• We have an SRU Net Zero grant award of £12.5k which will fund a few further improvements
  to the facility
• The finance group plan to work with the Trustees to put new reserves policies in place to set
  aside some general funds and to build up a gym fund in order to replace equipment as and
  when needed.
• Whilst not holding many formal meetings a core group look after the club finances which
  works very well and my thanks to Peter & GY for their continued assistance.

6. Development & other Playing Reports
Please note all section reports for the year are attached in the sub page to these minutes.

7. Short- and Medium-Term Strategy for the Club
Season 24-25 was hugely successful for the club on the field as well as off it for our senior sections.
The Women’s Team were Promoted to the Premiership for season 25-26 and this is a huge
achievement.
The Men’s 1st XV finished a credible 4th in National 1.
The 2nd XV Struggled at points during the season, but with a young and committed squad, the Club is
determined to give them the support they need for season 25-26.
Indeed, this is the priority for all senior teams for season 25-26. Since the end of the season, we
have: -

• Carried out Post Season reviews with the Senior Playing Groups to hear their thoughts on
  how the season went.
• Had discussions with Current Coaching teams and I’m happy to confirm the coaching teams
  for each squad has been retained for season 25-26, with the exception of Stuart Moffat who has
  decided to step down from the role of coach with the Women’s Section. We are currently looking for
  additional support in terms of specialist coaching for the squads.
• Put Budgets in place and had them agreed with the finance group for each squad. There has
  been a substantial increase in the women’s budget in an effort to allow them to be fully prepared for
  the challenges they will face in the Premiership next year.
• Senior Management teams have been put in Place for the Men’s Section and the Women’s
  Section in an effort spread the workload and responsibility of managing these sections of the club.
  These announcements have been made but the appointments of Stuart, Davie, Katie, and Stuart are
  important in trying to ensure continuity and a structure which should help in the key areas of
  Development and Retention of players in the senior section.
• Nic Humphries has been asked and has agreed to concentrate on the Development of the
  Youth Section, where he has had proven success, and to continue his work with the Women’s
  Section as their Head Coach in the Premiership.
• We are currently working on a player support system for match day care and after match
  support in terms of injury assessment and rehab and hope to have an announcement on that
  shortly.
  Longer Term, I attended a West Section Scottish Rugby Presentation which detailed what they are
  trying to improve over the next five years. A number of these issues align with ours such as
• Better player transition and retention from Under 18’s Sections into Senior Rugby.
• Exposing Players to a better quality of Coaching at a younger age.
• Making the Matchday Environment the best we can for both players and spectators.

We continue to review our systems and processes and are actively working on a longer-term
strategy at the moment.
Going into our 50th Season we should savour the challenges, and the opportunities which they
provide.

8. Fixing of Annual Subscriptions
The Committee sought and obtained AGM approval of Membership Fees for the season 2025-26 as per the schedule below.
The committee make the following points:
Rationale
The club membership Rates have become disjointed and with the addition of the Gym it becomes
ever more difficult to ensure fair pricing. Differentials in pricing are required between “Gym only” and “Club + gym” memberships as well as ensuring “club only” members are not disadvantaged.
We wish to encourage our club members to use the gym facilities at a discounted rate whilst still
charging a “fair” price to those that wish to use only the Gym (not wishing to become club
members).
The prices we charge for players and coaches are rightly subsidised to reflect the work and time they
give to the club.
Family Memberships were badly priced with no real rationale behind them so the increase doesn’t
look fair, but I feel we can make it much more flexible to suit the “family’s requirements”. So, the
adult prices remain the same as full member prices last year with each child being charged ½ the full
child age range fee. Making it still excellent value.
We have tried to standardise and simplify adding partners and adding gym membership, whilst
making Family memberships as attractive as possible.
GYM Membership
Only a modest Increase to £200 – adding a partner for £175.
Addition of Monthly and weekly visitor rates.
Gym Members playing child membership at 50% age related membership.
Players
Modest Increase to £210 for players and a £70 supplement for adding a partner with a Gym
membership.
Coaches
Modest Increase to £80 for coaches with £70 for adding Gym membership and a £70 supplement for
adding a partner with a gym membership.
Playing child membership at 50% age related membership.
Club Membership
Small increase to £190 with a £70 supplement for adding a partner and a £70 supplement per
member to add the gym.
Family Membership
Full member rates from last year to apply to the Adults (£180/60) with each child being charged at
50% of their age range membership.
This allows one Adult to become a member with one child. Gym supplement of £70 / adult applies.
We would suggest that if the clubs financial position remains good, we freeze increases following
this, to the 2027 AGM.

There were no objections to the above changes to membership rates, and they are adopted as
published.

9. Election of Trustees, President, Vice-President, and Officers of the Club

OFFICE BEARERS FOR THE 2025/2026 SEASON

The position of “Comms and Social Media Officer” is unfilled.
**The position of Membership Convenor is being fulfilled by our Admin support. This is a paid position
and as such has no voting rights on the committee.
*New or moving members
The President and Committee wish to thank all those retiring members for their service to the club
and welcome new members for committing their time.
There being no other proposed members there was no requirement for a vote

Trustees for the 25/26 Season
President/Trustee – Gordon Young
Senior Vice President/Trustee – Fraser Cambell
Trustee – Dougie Low, nominated for re-election (2 years in office)
Trustee – James Orr (1 year in office)
Trustee – Morag Dunlop (1 year in office)
Retiring Trustee - Ian Conn
Nominated Trustee - K Fulton
Nomination Forms and statements are attached
There being no other proposed Trustees there was no requirement for a vote.

10. Trustee Report BRFC 2025

As you are all aware, the person standing here should have been Ian Conn. However, very recently
Ian was tragically and suddenly taken from us. This report is therefore on his behalf as former head
trustee. The trustees of any organisation are in place to have an overview of the clubs activities and affairs to ensure the organisation is operating within its constitution and to formulate and agree objectives
and policies and future goals to enable the club to succeed and develop When the club is being successful and operating well, it makes life much easier for trustees.
With our annual accounts now running to 32 pages, which seems ridiculous, most, if not all of us will
be bewildered by all the figures placed before us I am sure most of us still think Biggar RFC is a small rural rugby club. But with the facilities we now have we are pushing well above our size. As explained by Nigel, we have had a phenomenal few years and are currently in a good financial position.
Going forward, over and above the playing side, we, as trustees need to be looking at maintaining
the assets that we now have, and most importantly, retaining continuity of committee personnel to
replace those in key positions, as and when required. In my mind its important to create a buddy system to ease the new personnel into what are demanding jobs both in knowledge, expertise and time.
The club is very fortunate to have a wealth of abilities to help run the club and with our motto of
“ONE club, ONE family” we need younger members to step into these roles. We will be discussing with the current committee a strategy on how to replace key committee members through a smooth transitioning period.
One of the roles of the trustees is to scrutinise accounting processes, day/day running of the
finances, together with discussing/agreeing strategic plans on how the club will maintain its
momentum. From our perspective the club is in safe and capable hands who have the ability and prudence to make the right decisions. We are also discussing ring fencing funds to be kept aside to spend specifically on a rolling programme of maintenance to ensure the new facilities, and especially the gym are kept operational and in a good state.
The biggest decision of all was taken a few years ago to move the club into charitable status and
open the door to grants and other outside income that would otherwise have not been available to
us. On that one decision alone, we should be eternally grateful to those involved in having the foresight,
ability and resolve to get the club to where it is today.
The trustees are confident that the club will continue to make best use of what could now be
considered as the best Rugby facilities in Scotland. And continue to develop our youth and also to be
of benefit to the local community. We have come a long way in 50 years. The next 10 yrs will hopefully benefit from the endeavours of those currently responsible for the clubs wellbeing.
Thankyou
Douglas Low on behalf of former lead trustee Ian Conn

11. Election of any Honorary Members
None

12. AOCB
No other business was tabled
The meeting closed at 20.15 hrs