Our London Irish Home at Hazelwood was certainly rocking as it played host to our annual past players lunch on Saturday. This yearly get-together of teammates from far and wide who have donned the green shirt saw a huge cross-section of rugby players spanning back over the decades to the 60s.

We had almost 200 members sitting down to lunch on Saturday and thanks to Chris Magowan for masterminding the organisation. Behind-the-scenes Bernice and our catering team worked miracles to produce a delicious meal with club events team Gerry Gallaher and Claire McCormack lending a hand in their own inimitable style. Fronting up the lunch our MC for the day was the unflappable Mike Gibson a man who has worn not only the green shirt for the club but for Ireland. Club stalwart Noel Traynor was tasked to help with grace which he delivered with style and aplomb. We also squeezed in time for Barry Hurley to do his 200 Club draw and hold an auction for six Nations tickets. All of which helped bolster the clubs coffers which are currently under
severe pressure.

The lunch itself was preceded by the AGM of our golfing Society. This motley group of past
players get out on the golf course for four outings every year plus they usually do a tour to Ireland. For 2025 Mike Doherty is leading the Society for a tour to Wexford. By the way the Golf Society is looking for new members.

Before trooping out to watch our Wild Geese trounce Aylesbury 43 points to 26, the lunch took a few minutes out from the banter for a more serious moment. Firstly, having reflected on those who left this world during the past year. We were prompted to consider by three of our under 11s Ben, Billy and Joel whether they could hope to attend lunches like this when they grow up? Will they be able to play adult rugby at Hazelwood in the years ahead?

It gave us all pause for thought to ponder on what makes this club so special? These and some other questions are being wrestling with by the Club Executive Committee, as we all consider life without the professional team. The time has come for the club to shape a new vision for the future. In order to protect the amateur game for our young players and for our adults we need to have a big conversation about the years ahead and lets start by asking ourselves the following questions:

- What does life look like without the professionals?
- What does this club mean to you now?
- Have you every thought about what you would do if it didn’t exist?

This will involve all parts of our club and everyone will have an opportunity to input. Our ‘Big Conversation’ is about to start, it is an exercise to map out our future plans as a top quality amateur rugby club operating in a professional manner. Please give us a hand as it is now a matter of all hands to the pump.

Details of how members can participate will be available shortly.