With new owners and senior leadership announced at the start of this season, Bournemouth Rugby are now enjoying the success of these changes.
On the pitch, the team have secured five consecutive wins in the Regional 2 South Central league already this season.
“I think we’re getting onto the crest of a wave now. The atmosphere around the club is buoyant and it feels like a good place to be. There’s a real feeling of growth and expansion going forwards,” believes David Dunn, head of rugby operations.
Following the conclusion of a significant new investment deal in August, it was announced that long-time supporters Richard Carr and Drew Mellor would unite with fellow businessman Matthew Barker in acquiring the membership interests of Bournemouth Rugby Club.
“Two of our youth team parents Drew Mellor and Richard Carr decided that they wanted to join forces with long time sponsor Matthew Barker. They’ve totally changed the landscape in such a short period of time and the difference is phenomenal. To come in and manage the situation this well means that the club is now going from strength to strength,” adds David Dunn.
The club’s fortunes have also been significantly helped by the support and goodwill of many local business sponsors.
“The commercial arm of the club has worked absolute wonders. Suddenly, the town is getting behind us again.”
This success has allowed Bournemouth Rugby to bring the positive benefits of the sport to the wider community and increase diversity in the game.
In partnership with Rippa Rugby, the club now provides experienced and creative rugby coaching into 18 schools across the region reaching between 600-700 children per week.
“The community programme is up and running again. We’re delivering rugby in the schools and players into the club from schools that wouldn’t normally get access to rugby. We’ve also got rugby camps going on at half-term, so our community initiative is going well.”
Most importantly, it’s the results on the pitch that have been pleasing David and supporters of the club.
“A new coaching team came into the senior end of the club. What they’ve done is brought players back in who had left the club. All of a sudden, we’re in a position where the first team are pushing at the top end of the table. The second team have stabilised and comfortably mid-table and looking to push on from there.”
David believes the additional funds now available to the club will allow for better investment in the players.
“We recognised from the outset that growing our own future players is important, which is why we’ve set up the fully funded Bournemouth Academy. We’re giving the under 18 players the same experience and benefits as the senior players would have. The kit, the food after games and top medical care and insurance policies to look after them. We’re looking after the players as they deserve, because of the commitment they make.”
As for the future and the rapid rise to success, David puts it down to the determination of everyone involved at Bournemouth Rugby to make it a success.
“Once you’re on a roll, winning becomes a habit. That’s the desire we have to keep that winning habit at the club. The players are feeling loved and they’re committed. Everyone is determined to make this project successful.”
