And so it begins....

I'm sure that, in time to come, we will look back on this next few months as one of the most exciting periods in the history of Worcester Warriors. Speculation and gossip about new signings has always been a favoured pastime of rugby supporters. At this time of year we are used to hearing about occasional new signings but, let's face it, at Warriors we have been far too used to young talent leaving the club than committing their futures - the likes of Richard Blaze, Graham Kitchener, Matt Mullan, Tom Wood, Dylan Hartley, Josh Adams and Miles Benjamin all left far too early in their careers for our liking. In the odd year we get a blockbuster announcement - who can forget the silhouette teasers in 2007 prior to the signings of All Blacks Rico Gear, Sam Tuitupou and Greg Rawlinson or the surreal news that Chris Latham had signed for the following season later that year? The disclosure that Duhan van de Merwe had opted to play at Sixways was met with similar delirium in 2021. However, never before have we been guests at a table where the feast runs to almost infinite courses; we will hear of around 35 new player signings over the next couple of months with perhaps 3 or 4 high profile coaches to add into that mix. Not only that, for we are promised new kit and merchandise deals, season ticket sales, hospitality packages and supporter events.

We also look forward to hearing about the stadium's brand new tenants, Worcester City Men's team, who join the Sixways family having just secured back-to-back promotions under manager Chris Cornes. It's an incredibly exciting prospect to have two clubs with such long histories sharing the same facilities and, with Worcester City Women securing another season in the National League, it promises to be an exceptional year of sport in the 2025/26 season at Sixways.

Matt Everard

I am not going to dwell too long on the news that all of us will have read about already - probably multiple times if you're anything like me! Suffice to say, I think I can speak on behalf of all supporters to offer a hugely warm Worcester welcome to Matt Everard and his wife Amy. Having had relatively short stints playing professionally at Leicester, Wasps and Nottingham, Matt began to concentrate on his coaching career in 2017. For a young coach (still only 34) he already has huge experience at academy and senior level; this will be his first Head Coach role. We wish him all the very best for this new, and hopefully lengthy, chapter in his career.

Matt Kvesic

No words needed really. Matt is already a Warriors legend. His decision to return to the city in which he still resides has been a poorly kept secret for a good while. A couple of things gave the game away really - his son Albie's appearance on the Butts Park Arena pitch dressed in a Warriors shirt was a clue to where the family allegiances lie. The other betrayal was the way both Felicity and Matt assured everyone that it was the other's decision as to whether or not he signed on the dotted line at Sixways. Either way, we are extremely excited to see Matt return for a third helping of Warriors' worship. It was heartening to see him back from injury and back on the score-sheet for Coventry last weekend with a strong 60 minutes up in South Yorkshire.

The two Matts - Everard & Kvesic

WWST Update

The majority of the WWST board members will be meeting up tomorrow night for the Worcester Warriors Foundation Sports Quiz, hosted by Chris Pennell and Justin Clegg. Amidst the excitement, we hope to use the opportunity to firm up our plans for WWST membership packages, now that the cub is back in the RFU fold.

It is expected that the cost of Tier 1 membership will be reduced to re-align with other professional clubs' supporter associations. We do not want our current members to feel unfairly dealt with by doing so and hope to offer all our loyal subscribers a significant discount on either future purchases or membership plans. We will, of course, keep everyone informed by email once a final decision is made.

You will also notice some changes happening gradually to our website as we look to re-launch in the fashion of a more traditional supporters club, while maintaining our legal structure as a Community Benefit Society. We think the latter will provide a level of protection for supporters of the club should, heaven forbid, we should ever see financial jeopardy in the future.

Other items which will soon be up for discussion are:

• Volunteer recruitment

• Liaison with the club

• Permanent premises for WWST

• Away Travel arrangements

• Liaison with other Tier 2 clubs

A Final Word (or two)

Thank you.

Thank you all sincerely for believing enough in the Supporters Trust to join up and pay your subs when the prospect of a return for our club looked, let's be honest, pretty bleak. Thank you to everyone's kind words and enthusiasm which have given us the impetus to keep going and keep giving our time to try and help the club we love.