Stocksbridge RUFC

I joined the Rugby club in 1976 at 16 years old, starting in the 2nd XV, but by the end of that first season, I made my 1st XV debut still aged 16. In fact I was playing for the school football team on the Saturday morning, and then Senior rugby in the afternoon. Whilst in the second team I remember one game when I kicked eleven conversations, with Tony Hardy scoring 8 of the 11 tries.

I played for the 1st XV a further two seasons, as a Scrum Half, learning the game,

Where else did you play ?

I joined Sheffield RUFC aged 19, as a Scrum Half and made my 1st team debut at the end of that first season as a Fly Half.  I was very fortunate to play in an era when Sheffield played the best teams in the North and Midlands. Of course, this was before professionalism, so England players played regularly for their club when not on international duty, so I played against the very best in the country

In 1986, League rugby as we now know it kicked off, so I signed for Rotherham. I enjoyed the next four years, contributing to their initial promotions, which overtime took them all the way to the Premiership.

As I hit 30, I moved to Sheffield Oaks, as a player coach. We gained two promotions’ as well as winning the Yorkshire Shield

Best memories at the club ?

In 1997 Stocksbridge were plodding along in Yorkshire 3, and my brother was voted in as captain, so I rejoined, again as a player coach, and moulded a team into a formidable outfit, winning two promotions, two South Yorkshire Trophies and the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.

I have coached County, Divisional, Touring sides around the world, Doncaster and Rotherham ‘A’ teams, Yorkshire Academies but looking back, coaching those rough diamonds, most of them converted from football, into a team that took on anybody in Yorkshire, sometimes two divisions above us, was the hardest, but most rewarding memory

What’s your current role with the club ?

I don’t have a specific role, but I keep an ear to the ground of what’s going on, by sitting on the committee and assisting the club by pointing them in the right direction re the County and the RFU officials and departments

How do you feel about your new YRFU role ?

Yorkshire is the biggest Constituental Body (CB) of the RFU, of which there are 56, and to President of this proud rugby county is an honour

To be considered, you have had to serve for at least ten years in an active administerial role, which I have as Chair of the County Coaching Department, so the role is a reward for a lot of work up and down the County over many years

What does it entail ?

As the welcoming face and figurehead of the CB, set an example that influences the way the CB is perceived by internal and external stakeholders by providing impartial advice based on my broad experience of the game.

I hope to build on existing relationships by attending member club games, festivals, club competitions and special events put on by member clubs, such as celebration dinners and ensure that the County is represented and their views listened too.

Finally, support succession planning by ‘talent spotting’ whilst out visiting clubs in the CB, you could say a 24/7 role

How can this be a benefit to Stocksbridge ?

Only time will tell

Written by Andrew Tyers