Rugby: Positive vibe as club rebounds from crisis

Just weeks after facing the threat of closure, Eskview Rugby Club officials are preparing to field two afternoon grade teams this season.

"It's all systems go. Things are looking very positive for the future and it's great to see so many people offer to take on committee roles," club president Darryl Gooch remarked after the club's crisis meeting on Tuesday night.

He said 40 people, including Hawke's Bay Rugby Union staff, attended and 15 offered to go on the committee which will be formed at a meeting on Tuesday.

"From what I hear we've got heaps of colts players ready for the season and the senior twos with Doug Somerville coaching again are all go but would still like more players to make things easier," Gooch said.

Prior to this week's meeting club stalwarts had experienced an anxious six months. Permanent closure was still an option when a quorum was unable to be mustered at the Bay View-based club's annual meeting on January 30.

"That was the wake-up call for everyone. Six months ago we put posters out among the community asking for help but that approach was a little too soft. It wasn't until the annual meeting, when the community realised how serious the situation was," Gooch said.

Last year the club's only afternoon grade team was the colts. In addition to the colts and senior twos this season, Eskview will field at least six junior grade teams. The club was formed in 1932. Highlights in recent years include the winning of Hawke's Bay's division three championship with an unbeaten run in 2006.