Thanks to the Bill and the team at Fresh Promotions Australia, we have available for purchase from our canteen on game days (see the committee at other times) Club Badges.

Wear the club colours with pride! The Oldest and the Boldest!!

Check out other promotional items available from Fresh Promotions at www.freshpromotions.com.au.

South Toowoomba Rangers Rugby Club has appointed a new Club captain for the 2017 Rugby season.

It is with great pleasure to introduce Steve Sowter to the Club not as a playing member this year but as a Club Mentor and Club captain to all of our members both on and off the field.

Steve unfortunately succumbed to injury early on in the season however is really keen to give his time and skills to assist the club moving forward in the positive manner we find ourselves in. As club captain of this prestigious old club Steve will be holding forth the many traditions both at training and game days.

For an ear to chew or a shoulder to lean on please make sure you keep Steve enlightened to what's going on in and around the club and please assist him when at times he might ask for some help around the club.

Congratulations Steve and welcome to the ranks of many who have gone before you and make a difference mate to leave the club a better place when we wrap up the 2017 season.

In 2015, as incoming president, I outlined some important points. These included building connections within our club among members, players and the wider community and learning life lessons through playing rugby such as discipline, reliability, teamwork, individual contribution and enjoyment of the game. Now at the end of 2016 season, it is heartening to see club members embrace these attributes.

A very important initiative realised this year is the formal affiliation of Rangers Seniors and South Toowoomba Junior Rugby Clubs. This has breathed life into both clubs setting a pathway for Souths Junior Rugby Players to progress all the way to senior rugby on the downs. Souths Juniors have a wonderful, energetic committee especially Sonia, Marg and DJ. We thank you so much for all your hard work in ticking all the boxes to bring this merger to fruition. Though we will be seen as one club we will remain independent in our administration, constitution and financials.

Another major achievement is the unification of Gold Park Sporting Club and the Rangers Rugby Club. With Dan Spencer as president of Gold Park Sporting Club and Mitch Cush managing the club, Rangers are finally home again. A great deal of work has happened, over a significant period of time, to return Gold Park once more as the home of Rangers Rugby Club.

At this point, we must take pause to acknowledge the years of work Kym and Katrina Fleur dedicated to secure this position we find ourselves in today. It cannot be overstated that, without their unstinting commitment, the outcome this year may well have been very different.

To our generous sponsors . . .

PCP Solutions is our major club sponsor again in 2017. We sincerely thank Steve and Jess for their financial assistance and their belief in our club. We welcome Shine Lawyers as a Gold Sponsor in 2017 together with our silver sponsors the National Hotel, Haymans Electrical and Colliers International. Our Ladies Day sponsor in Connollys Lawyers are committed once again for 2017.

Our additional valued sponsors include:

Weidman Electrical, Accession3, Superior Screens, TCW, Vision Exercise, Toowoomba Holden, Heron Eyecare, Axiom Insurance, Northbuild Construction, Tramore Beef, TTQ Holdings, Matilda Equipment and Willows Health and Lifestyle Centre.

To all our incredibly generous sponsors we, as a club, thank you so much for all you give and pledge our support of your businesses moving forward.

Events held in 2016 were an unprecedented success. Record attendance at Ladies Day allowed us to make a donation to the western drought appeal. Old Boys Day was a huge success with Brad Rigby doing a wonderful job to ensure great numbers and a top day had by all. Sponsors day again was well attended and will be bigger and better in 2017. The feedback after Rangers Presentation Night, again with record numbers, was very encouraging and reflective of the year.

My sincere thanks to our hard-working committee members for their tireless, ongoing efforts throughout the year. Their contribution has impacted significantly on our major events, club operations and morale.

We are very appreciative of all our tremendous coaches. On a performance level all 3 teams made it to the major semi-final with B grade going on to achieve grand final success in a heart-stopping finish. Alongside these field achievements is the culture our coaches engender to foster mateship, sportsmanship and enjoyment which in turn attracts people to our club.

I have personally been immensely proud of our club this year. We are thriving, the culture is very strong and our future is looking more secure. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity as president. Let’s continue the momentum through 2017 with all hands on deck.

Ben Kelly, Rangers President – 2016