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‘An Interview With….’
Graham Callard17 Sep - 08:07
Ian Geering - Seniors Team Manager
The next in the series of ‘An Interview With…….’ is with Ian Geering, the seniors Team Manager/Administrator.
Q. As the senior club Team Manager/Administrator what have you had to do to get the club ready for the new season?
A. Talk to the coach's about pre-season friendlies and arrange with selected Club(s)
Add Sussex Cup Fixtures to the same sheets once they are released in July.
Look at Player registration and encourage players to complete registration within GMS, (help if needed.
Link Pitchero website with the RFU and Sussex websites to load fixtures into Pitchero.
Confirm Kick off time and load into Pitchero.
Check all Senior's Kit (Order new if necessary) once sponsor's have been confirmed.
Make sure these are washed and undamaged, This includes Water Bottles, And Sub Jackets.
And finally tackle bags are washed and ready to go for the new season.
Q. What obstacles have you had to overcome to make things happen?
A. As we are all volunteers, it's about communication and talking to the right people at the right time.
Communication with the D.O.R and Coach's is paramount, to the success of the Club.
Q. In terms of playing numbers how is it shaping up. A strong 1st XV and a good 2nd XV?
A. This pre-season is looking good with numbers better than the last few years, with good numbers of home grown talent in the form of last seasons Colts. With the last few seasons success a few new players have joined the Club.
Q. Once the season starts what do you have to do ahead of each game. Please list all the tasks.
A. Sunday Morning, I send out a Whatsapp message, to all players for their availability, for Tuesday & Thursday Training and for them to update their Pitchero availability for Saturday. The Deadline is 21.00pm Monday Evening.
This information is transferred to a spread sheet for the senior management to view.
On Monday - Communicate by way of email with allocated Referee's usually allocated by Sussex or the London's Referee's Society.
For Home Fixtures , check with opposition they they are ok , confirm kick-off times and pitch allocation etc.
Check and make sure the kit is clean and undamaged, this is checked every Tuesday evening when it comes back from the Laundrette. This is re-bagged and put away ready for the next game, the same as the bottles and the sub's Coat's.
Also on Tuesday Evening - Arrange Pre-Selection Meeting with Coach's and DOR. Update Pitchero with this pre-selection squad.
Thursday Selection Meeting after Training. Final discussions about selection, and announcement to players.
Then post on Whatapp and pitchero before end of day.
Update the RFU's GMS site with Player Selection (1st XV only), between Thursday and Saturday morning.
Q. On a match day what do you do to make the day run smoothly.
A. If the preparation is all in place as a above then meet the Referee, introduce the club & myself as point of contact and get drinks delivered to referee's room.
Q. Crowborough RFC was awarded the referee’s trophy for the best run club in their eyes. Why do you think they chose us.
A. We have a great atmosphere at the club, the people and the facilities are second to none. The club is always well prepared on and off the field. The friendly welcome always makes a difference
Q. Once a match is completed what are the jobs you then have to do.
A. Complete result in GMS and confirm, once processed this appears live on the RFU's website
Check and count in the Playing Shirts - Take to laundrette ready for washing, inc sub jackets.
Q. You have been doing this role for many years. What are your favourites bits, and of course are there any bits that you’d prefer not to do.
A. Two Stand out Moments - Winning the League and Cup Double back in 2011/12 season and Winning The `Papa Johns Southern Plate` at the Alliance Stadium, (Saracens’ Ground) May 2023.
Q. In all your years at the club is there any one game that stands out as being the very best game ever.
A. Papa Johns Cup Semi Final at Steel Cross against Falmouth, (April 2023) for coming from behind to win in the last few minutes.
Q. As the senior club Team Manager/Administrator what have you had to do to get the club ready for the new season?
A. Talk to the coach's about pre-season friendlies and arrange with selected Club(s)
Add Sussex Cup Fixtures to the same sheets once they are released in July.
Look at Player registration and encourage players to complete registration within GMS, (help if needed.
Link Pitchero website with the RFU and Sussex websites to load fixtures into Pitchero.
Confirm Kick off time and load into Pitchero.
Check all Senior's Kit (Order new if necessary) once sponsor's have been confirmed.
Make sure these are washed and undamaged, This includes Water Bottles, And Sub Jackets.
And finally tackle bags are washed and ready to go for the new season.
Q. What obstacles have you had to overcome to make things happen?
A. As we are all volunteers, it's about communication and talking to the right people at the right time.
Communication with the D.O.R and Coach's is paramount, to the success of the Club.
Q. In terms of playing numbers how is it shaping up. A strong 1st XV and a good 2nd XV?
A. This pre-season is looking good with numbers better than the last few years, with good numbers of home grown talent in the form of last seasons Colts. With the last few seasons success a few new players have joined the Club.
Q. Once the season starts what do you have to do ahead of each game. Please list all the tasks.
A. Sunday Morning, I send out a Whatsapp message, to all players for their availability, for Tuesday & Thursday Training and for them to update their Pitchero availability for Saturday. The Deadline is 21.00pm Monday Evening.
This information is transferred to a spread sheet for the senior management to view.
On Monday - Communicate by way of email with allocated Referee's usually allocated by Sussex or the London's Referee's Society.
For Home Fixtures , check with opposition they they are ok , confirm kick-off times and pitch allocation etc.
Check and make sure the kit is clean and undamaged, this is checked every Tuesday evening when it comes back from the Laundrette. This is re-bagged and put away ready for the next game, the same as the bottles and the sub's Coat's.
Also on Tuesday Evening - Arrange Pre-Selection Meeting with Coach's and DOR. Update Pitchero with this pre-selection squad.
Thursday Selection Meeting after Training. Final discussions about selection, and announcement to players.
Then post on Whatapp and pitchero before end of day.
Update the RFU's GMS site with Player Selection (1st XV only), between Thursday and Saturday morning.
Q. On a match day what do you do to make the day run smoothly.
A. If the preparation is all in place as a above then meet the Referee, introduce the club & myself as point of contact and get drinks delivered to referee's room.
Q. Crowborough RFC was awarded the referee’s trophy for the best run club in their eyes. Why do you think they chose us.
A. We have a great atmosphere at the club, the people and the facilities are second to none. The club is always well prepared on and off the field. The friendly welcome always makes a difference
Q. Once a match is completed what are the jobs you then have to do.
A. Complete result in GMS and confirm, once processed this appears live on the RFU's website
Check and count in the Playing Shirts - Take to laundrette ready for washing, inc sub jackets.
Q. You have been doing this role for many years. What are your favourites bits, and of course are there any bits that you’d prefer not to do.
A. Two Stand out Moments - Winning the League and Cup Double back in 2011/12 season and Winning The `Papa Johns Southern Plate` at the Alliance Stadium, (Saracens’ Ground) May 2023.
Q. In all your years at the club is there any one game that stands out as being the very best game ever.
A. Papa Johns Cup Semi Final at Steel Cross against Falmouth, (April 2023) for coming from behind to win in the last few minutes.
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