Thanks Dean,
To avoid any further confusion the current state of the Under 18s is as follows.
At a meeting with Graham Kemp and Jason Demetriou the Cubs were informed of two issues.
The first being that Jason was concerned with the state of the pitch at Cougar Park and that he wanted as few games as possible played there to allow the first team an adequate surface to play expansive rugby. Ideally he would have liked the Cubs to have played elsewhere but a compromise was suggested when the Cubs agreed to allow Cougars to train on their pitch at Utley therefore relieving wear and tear on their own pitch and that the Cubs would not play every home game at Cougar Park. It was agreed that we would aim to play at least 50% of them there.
This then lead onto the second issue. Graham stated that each home game costs the Cougars money to stage and that he wasn't prepared to finance any loss making arrangements. He was adamant that he would not open Cougar Park just to stage a Cubs game. To this end we are trying to re-arrange home fixtures to coincide with Cougars home fixtures and to play "curtain closers". I.e. the opposite of curtain raisers. These games would be played after the Cougars games allowing for a more economical use of facilities and a better experience for the players and spectators. These negotiations are ongoing.
As I write, with the National Youth League season starting on Sunday, there has not yet been any Under 18s fixture confirmed for Cougar Park, though we are confident that there soon will be. Your assertion that a deal has already been agreed is news to me[size (actually it's not true)[/size.
As for your other comment, I cannot speak on any authority regarding Keighley Albion but as far as I'm aware they do not run Under 8s or 9s and as alluded to by Mr Hicks, although the Cubs do have teams at 13s, 15s, 16s, 17s and 18s, they all struggle for numbers. If you read the Keighley News report for the Under 18s magnificent win at Leigh East last Sunday you will read that they travelled with 13 players.
In my opinion, if a problem is to be solved we need to first recognise that there is a problem.
[i
In view of some feedback I have received from Jason and Graham I would like to clarify the following points.
It was Jasons idea to have the Cougars train at Utley, not the Cubs.
Graham is not saying that "he wont open Cougar Park, just to stage a Cubs game" as I stated. He is saying that if games go ahead they must not come with a financial cost to the Cougars. He is not saying that they can't play there, he is saying that the cost of the games must be met by the Cubs. I apologise to him for any misunderstanding that was construed from my comments.
I have been in lengthy discussions with Jason and there is a possibility that we can stage 5 or 6 curtain closures, subject to agreement with the opposition, (another innovative idea). That leaves the Cubs with the task of funding a few home games themselves. The fact that these have not yet been arranged is not the fault of either party.
My last comment regarding the "problem" refers to the last paragraph only and not the under 18s.
[/i
And to think, I only posted "to avoid any further confusion". This will be my last comment on the matter on here until a solution has been found.
Bob Gillard
Cougar Cubs Club Secretary (17 years served)
07779731435
