Page 9 - RFU Annual Report 2018

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PRESIDENT’S
FOREWORD

7

CHRIS KELLY

PRESIDENT

I am tremendously honoured to be I was honoured to become the England Past President Peter Baines left Council
serving as RFU President for the 2018/19 Rugby Football Schools Union (ERFSU) in June 2018 having served for some 18
season and would like to thank the representative on the RFU Council in years and we were all saddened by his
game for giving me this privilege and 1997. recent death. He is among those who
my predecessor, John Spencer, for his epitomise the best of the rugby family
outstanding service as President over As a qualified coach, I am also acutely who we have lost over the year. Those
the past year. He came to the position aware of the importance of good who have served us well and have left
directly from managing the successful coaching and I am delighted that we us a real legacy include: Dennis Easby,
British & Irish Lions tour to New have so many excellent coaches serving Roger Godfrey, Ben Tuttiett and Mike
Zealand and has used the same passion rugby, both in the professional game and Wilson.
and dedication to the game while in a voluntary capacity. I am also most
representing the RFU at events and grateful to all the match officials who They truly lived rugby’s values and I
clubs nationwide. give up their time to ensure competitive know that we will strive to continue
matches take place. to live them, especially as, with our
Like John, I came into our sport as a commemorations finishing on the
schoolboy player. At the age of 11, I We in rugby are fortunate to have 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in
discovered rugby for the first time while an army of volunteers who work November, we remember all the rugby
playing at Raynes Park Grammar School. exceedingly hard so that others can play players and England internationals
That experience gave me a lifelong and enjoy our sport. They gave us all who made the ultimate sacrifice during
love of the game, whether captaining the chance to develop as players and World War 1.
Durham University, representing Surrey as people. And we can now honestly
in the County Championship, or playing say that rugby union is a game for all, Enjoyment is central in those values
for Harlequins First XV. for our England teams, both men’s and and so I wish everyone a tremendously
women’s, and with more opportunities enjoyable 2018/19 season.
A career in teaching and serving as a and diversity at every level of the game.
headmaster for two decades also made I am, indeed, honoured to represent you
me appreciate the fundamental role that We have recently said goodbye to as your President.
rugby, and the sport’s values, can play in friends and colleagues on the RFU
preparing students for the wider world. Council, among them Colin Baldwin,
Mike Cordell, John Cunningham, Neil
Hagerty and Geoff Simpson, and we are
grateful for their contribution.

WE IN RUGBY ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN ARMY
OF VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK EXCEEDINGLY
HARD SO THAT OTHERS CAN PLAY AND ENJOY
OUR SPORT. THEY GAVE US ALL THE CHANCE TO
DEVELOP AS PLAYERS AND AS PEOPLE.

Annual
Report
2018