This year's AGM will be held at the club house at Park Farm on Friday 12th June 2026.
PLEASE NOTE Attendance at AGMs or EGMs is restricted to fully paid-up members only.
As membership of our club continues to rise, so do our costs and to prevent a large hike in subscriptions at any one point, we are implementing a small increase in membership to cover the cost of servicing the club. Payment for pitches, coaching staff, transport etc have all gone up since we last reviewed the membership cost and we are required to do due diligence to ensure the sustainability of the club.
We continue to rely on the support of our sponsors; The Beltie Beer Festival; The Hollywood Trust and others and, continue to chase other funding opportunities on a regular basis to maintain the services to our members.
We have taken many factors into account, including membership costs at similar rugby clubs and various other clubs, and even with the proposed increase, find ourselves still to be highly competitive in comparison.
The club is very proud of all of our achievements this season at all levels and with continued support, from members, sponsors and volunteers, we have every faith that these will continue to dominate this club going forward.
The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank members, players, coaching staff, voluntary staff, parents and friends for all of their support, and we look forward to even greater success in competition and friendship at Dumfries Saints in 2026/2027.
PRESIDENT
Russell Marchant
DUMFRIES SAINTS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
The Annual General Meeting of Dumfries Saints Rugby Club
will be held in The Rugby Club, Park Farm, Dumfries on Friday 12th June 2026 at 7.00pm
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 11th June 2025
3. TO DICUSS ANY BUSINESS ARISISNG FROM THE MINUTES
4. COMMITTEE REPORT
5. TREASURER’S REPORT AND ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 2025/2026
6. TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING OFFICE BEARERS
(Current in Brackets)
PRESIDENT (Russell Marchant) Eligible for re-election
VICE PRESIDENT (John Steele) Not eligible for re-election as standing down
TREASURER (Lauren Petterson) Eligible for re-election
SECRETARY (Fiona Fletcher-Sloan) Eligible for re-election
MINUTE SECRETARY (Emily Hunter) Eligible for re-election
FIXTURES & REFEREE SECRETARY (Dawn Kuehnel) Eligible for re-election
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (Klair Gilbert) Eligible for re-election
SPONSORSHIP REPRESENTATIVE (Callum Cameron) Eligible for re-election
COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS Current members. Louise Coupar, Stuart Clannachan, Gary Henderson. All eligible for re-election.
7. TO ELECT ANY LIFE MEMBERS
8. TO APPOINT AN AUDITOR (Carson & Trotter)
9. SUBSCRIPTIONS 2026/2027
Proposed Membership Fees 2026/2027:
- Family – £20 per month / £240 per year
- Seniors – £16 per month / £192 per year
- Midi – £15 per month / £180 per year
- Student – £11 per month / £132 per year
- Mini/Micro – £10.50 per month / £126 per year
- Coach – £3.33 per month / £40 per year
- Non-playing – £6.66 per month / £80 per year
All membership includes access to all senior home games.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) To receive an update on The Beltie Beer Festival and its support for the club.
2025 AGM MINUTES
Please note that these are draft minutes until confirmed at this year's AGM.
DUMFRIES SAINTS RUGBY CLUB
The Annual General Meeting of Dumfries Saints Rugby Clubwas held in the Rugby Club, Park Farm on Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 at 7.00pm
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Tuc Rainey, Sam Carlyle, Richard Kuehnel
2. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 18th June 2024
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Liz McLellan
3. TO DISCUSS ANY BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
No business arising.
4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Bryan began by thanking everyone who had been involved in his 2 years in office and for their support in what has been a truly encouraging season for the club. 1st and 2nds had strong seasons finishing mid table in both leagues, an improvement for both teams on the previous season thanks to the dedication of the players and Head Coach Paddy and his coaches who are committed for at least another season. The ladies showed huge grit and determination in their first season in XVs and narrowly missed out in promotion. Again, a credit to the players and coach Richard.
Youth Rugby report previously circulated.
Membership is still growing and continues to focus on all-inclusive rugby, which has its own challenges but allows everyone who wants to be involved in rugby the opportunity to take part.
Social media engagement this season has doubled thanks to Louise Coupar and her group of volunteers. Fantastic to see Saints brand all over Dumfries and beyond. Our new membership app has been a great success and plans to develop it further are exciting.
The results from our feedback forms have been analysed and we will discuss the results later in the meeting.
Bryan thanked his wife Liz for her support and for putting up with the daily club phone calls and interruptions to life over the past two years. Presented a gift to Susan Watson who is standing down as Membership secretary.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT AND ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 2024/2025
Russell reported profit of around £6000 after depreciation. Changes had been made to headings and things had been moved around a little.
The merchandise team had added almost £3000 to the surplus thanks to Louise and her team. A big increase in membership income had been valuable to us. Donations dropped by £20,000, but on the whole, we are in a reasonably strong position financially. We are dependent on The Beltie, Holywood Trust and SRU who help fund the Development Officer. The Beltie had a wet day this year, so not such a big contribution expected this coming year, which we will take on board. Charity accounts are available in the room.
Prop: Bryan McLellan; Sec: John Steele
6. TO CONSIDER PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITIUTION (previously circulated)
Some changes came out of the discussions at last year’s AGM~
16 SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
The Committee shall have the power by a majority of its entire number to suspend or
expel any member of whatever category whose conduct appears to them to endanger
the character, interests, or good order of the Club or who acts in defiance of its Constitution, but subject always to a personal hearing by the Committee before any decision is made regarding the expulsion. Such member will have the right to appeal against any decision by writing to the Committee, who may if appropriate establish a temporary independent sub-committee to review the decision.
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Bryan McLellan
3 MEMBERSHIP
Senior (playing)
Senior (non-playing)
Life
Junior (applies to persons under the age of 18 as at 1st September each season and
who will be eligible for full membership on attaining age 18)
Family Membership
Student Membership
The Committee of DSR shall refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring DSR or the sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the Committee, who may if appropriate establish a temporary independent sub-committee to review the decision.
The whole of the Committee, excluding the President who is elected for two years, shall retire at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election at that meeting.
9 MANAGEMENT
The management and business affairs of DSR shall be vested in a Committee consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Minute Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Membership Secretary, and up to five other members who will all be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The members without a specified title will be allocated responsibilities as required.
10 CAPTAINS AND VICE CAPTAINS
The captains’ or a players’ representative will be members of the Senior Rugby sub-committee and should that committee not be formed they will be ex-officio members of the Management Committee.
14 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Attendance at AGMs or EGMs is restricted to fully paid-up members only.
16 SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
The Committee shall have the power by a majority of its entire number to suspend or expel any member of whatever category whose conduct appears to them to endanger the character, interests, or good order of the Club or who acts in defiance of its
Constitution, but subject always to a personal hearing by the Committee before any decision is made regarding the expulsion. Such member will have the right to appeal against any decision by writing to the Committee, who may if appropriate establish a temporary independent sub-committee to review the decision.
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Bryan McLellan
7. TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING OFFICE BEARERS
Former President John Steele took the Chair, as per the constitution to elect the new President.
PRESIDENT Russell Marchant
Prop: Bryan McLellan; Sec: Allan Stannet
Russell accepted the post and thanked Bryan for all of the work he had done in his 2-year post. VICE-PRESIDENT John Steele
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Louise Couper
VICE-PRESIDENT No further proposals
TREASURER As there were no proposals, Russell agreed to carry on short term until someone was found.
SECRETARY Fiona Fletcher-Sloan
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Bryan McLellan
MINUTES SECRETARY Fiona agreed to continue until someone could be found
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Lousie Coupar.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Klair Gilbert
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Louise Coupar.
COMMITTEE NOMINTATIONS Lousie Coupar, Stuart Clannachan, Pete Hannah, Callum Cameron, Nichola Hyslop. (We would have a conversation with Nichola as she wasn’t present)
Russell explained that going forward we planned to develop three sub-groups, which would be both committee members and non-committee members so that there isn’t a huge onus on just a few peoples. Anyone else interested, could come forward at any time. We want a cross section of members involved.
9. TO APPOINT AN AUDITOR Carson and Trotter
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Bryan McLellan
10. SUBSCRIPTIONS 2025/2026
The change in subscription to include the game day subs helping parents and collections. All memberships will come through the club app on show membership at the gate.
Following consideration of club costs and income, the Club proposes that the annual membership for the coming year will be as follows:-
MICROS – £50
ALL OTHER YOUTH PLAYERS – £90 (No sibling discount)
ALL SENIOR PLAYERS (male and Female) – £180
NON-PLAYERS – £80
All membership includes access to all senior home games.
Prop: Russell Marchant; Sec: Bryan McLellan.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a. To discuss Plan on a Page
We spoke about this at last year’s AGM and now we can share it with everyone and make a starting point for delivery, including feedback from the subgroups, we are proposing to set up. Anyone who wishes to volunteer, contact any of us following the meeting.
Paddy Coupar explained that the plan was to introduce other goals, e.g. five tackle awards, rather than just win or lose a game. This helps to aim for performance in all ages and gives everyone a chance to shine.
b. To discuss the new membership App and Socials.
Louise led the discussion. We are such a big club, including players, volunteers and helpers in all sections and ages and we don’t always know what everyone is doing.
We have set up social groups for better communication and to encourage development and volunteering. Several members are taking the social media forward for their group and now sharing with everyone.
The Club App is going well and the functionality is being developed even further. Including, membership, media, merchandise, fixtures. The membership development with the app will be the most helpful, with all details for applying etc on there. It is a “tonne of work” but will be well worth it! The website will also be there as well. We will eventually come off SPOND, which will save money.
Merchandise is going well so ideas welcome on any further merchandise.
We can reassure the membership that we will have people to help at the beginning of the season.
Fiona thanked Bryan for his time in office and presented Susan Watson and Liz McLellan with flowers on their retiral.
Russell thanked everyone for coming along and look forward to a good year next year.