Driving Forward Rugby Forward in 2023/24

Bournemouth Rugby is brimming with excitement and anticipation for the 2023/24 season. We are incredibly proud of the progress and achievements we have made in our youth and mini programmes, thanks to the exceptional leadership of Greg Pike as the Youth and Mini Chair. We embrace the future as a club and I’m thrilled to announce some significant structural changes and appointments. These changes will ensure that we continue to provide an exceptional rugby experience while prioritising the safety, welfare, and development of our young players within our community. First and foremost, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Greg Pike for his outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment during his tenure as the Youth and Mini Chair. Greg’s hard work and tireless efforts have significantly contributed to the consistency and continual management of our youth rugby programmes. Greg will continue to be an invaluable member of our Executive Committee, serving as Co-Vice Chair and assuming the new role of Director of Youth Rugby. Driving forward… This is probably the worst kept secret in the club over the summer so I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and more importantly to clarify a few things and set a thought with you for the this season…. After the season ended I was voted in to Chair of the Youth and Mini teams at Bournemouth Rugby. This is a tremendous honour for me. We have a huge amount of talented and dedicated people within the club and to be asked to represent this role within the club is indeed something I’m extremely proud of. I have pride in our club, what we achieve as volunteers and how we come together to embrace one of the best sports in the world. We have a huge opportunity at our Bournemouth Rugby in creating a lasting impact and legacy with the lives of young players. Our agenda is to continue the support for the sport, dedication to fostering growth and development, and a commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, coaches, players, parents and carers. It’s time to build on our values. Greg Pike has been the backbone for the Youth and Mini’s section for the last 9 years. I’d like to personally thank Greg for his hard work over the years for his tireless commitment. I’ve personally been involved with Bournemouth Rugby for number of years and supported the club at first team level in terms of sponsorship before Covid hit. Youth and mini rugby plays a crucial role in shaping young individuals both on and off the field and feeds those teams in the future. Having two young girls myself (both players) it’s even more evident these days youngsters need to find purpose and something they are passionate about. A place that creates happiness. In addition to my new role I also coach the under 9s alongside a dedicated and passionate team of coaches (you’ve probably heard us roar on a Sunday!). Rugby instils life values such as teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship, while also promoting physical fitness. confidence and mental resilience. What’s not to love about it. By taking on the role of Y&M Chair we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this transformative journey for countless young players and provide the support of a high quality coaching eco-system the club provides. Something I’m very serious about, especially in terms of girls rugby and a desire to elevate this opportunity. One of the primary responsibilities as Chair is to create an environment that encourages participation and inclusivity. Our aim along with a new steering group we have formed will involve developing programmes with the age groups that cater to players of all skill levels. We want to ensure every young person has the opportunity to engage with rugby and experience the joy of the sport and the benefits of our rugby family which we will continually promote. By promoting diversity and actively working to eliminate barriers to entry, we can help shape a rugby community here at Bournemouth Rugby that is welcoming and accessible to all that everyone wants to be part of. My objective is to collaborate with all our coaches, managers, parents and other stakeholders to establish a strong support network for the youth and mini players. Build upon our achievement we are all proud of and take our Y&M section to the next level we are all proud of as a club. Our aim is to provide a safe environment, building strong relationships with local schools, sports clubs and the community. Our vision is to build a first class Y&M section that becomes the stepping stone for future opportunity. It’s a long term strategy you are part of so join us on this journey. Above all, we want to create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among participants within our youth and mini squad. Have fun, create friendships and be the catalyst for amazing memories. The new season started at the weekend and it was a weekend of amazing energy at the club. I was delighted to personally meet so many of you at the gates and look forward to meeting you all in person and welcoming you to an exciting season at the club. So here is my final thought… Bring those earplugs.. Let’s stop purring, let’s make our pride Roar!