WITH training already under way, The Vale of Lune's first team squad remain determined to bounce straight back after the disappointment of relegation last season.
That was the message from the club's joint director of Rugby Andy Higgin to members at the club's annual general meeting on Thursday evening.
Andy said: "Players are determined to raise standards and we coaches have stressed that we will not accep
t second best. Promotion is what we expect and we will all be working very hard to try and ensure we achieve this."
Earlier in the meeting chairman Brian McCann had said the club's development plans were making slow but steady progress. There was still a lot of hard work to be done and members would be consulted again once all the necessary finances were in place.
Mr McCann paid tribute to all the hard work of the outgoing secretary, Mike Sheard.
He also praised all the dedication show by the volunteers working on the ground under the leadership of Geoff Marsden.
"This team typifies all that is good about the Vale of Lune. They work hard together as volunteers and the result is there for everybody to see, one of the finest sporting grounds in the region."
The retiring secretary Mike Sheard reported on a difficult year from the playing side, but he felt that the relegation would quickly become a memory.
"There is a tremendous spirit among the players and there can be no doubting that the major aim of everybody involved with the senior squad is to bounce straight back.
At the meeting Neil Bennetts was confirmed as first team captain. Lee Farnworth was elected as his deputy. Phil Watson was chosen as second team captain, whilst the veteran Paul Antcliffe was chosen again to lead the B team. The position of Vikings captain was left vacant.
Andy Higgin said he and Steve Swarbrick would be the joint directors of Rugby while Mark Sutcliffe would remain senior coach and Phil Stott would combine his duties as coach for the ladies with a lead role within the club coaching team.
l Snowy Green has been elected chairman of the Vale's squash section after many years of coaching and playing at the highest level.
He said: "I am very honoured at being chosen and at a time when there are major developments being planned at Vale.
"We have a lively club and I am pleased to be involved, especially in the coaching of new juniors."
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