DCRFU Officers & Staff

Provides strategic leadership and governance to ensure DCRFU supports clubs to govern, deliver and grow rugby across the county. Works closely with the Board, and stakeholders to drive strategic direction and operational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

· Lead the Board, ensuring effective governance and decision-making.

· Oversee strategic plan implementation and alignment with RFU directives.

· Act as a spokesperson and represent DCRFU at regional and national levels.

Support and oversee the strategic and operational delivery.

He is responsible for arranging and chairing Goverance meetings, emergency committee meetings  and ensuring that the committee efficiently directs and coordinates the business of the CB.

Serves as a respected figurehead, championing the values and spirit of rugby across the county.

Chairs AGMs, SGMs and Clubs meetings

Attends Board meetings and occasionally joins other committees to provide support and guidance.

Present volunteer awards at events, honouring key contributors to DCRFU’s mission.

Represent DCRFU at matches, junior festivals, and other key events, with support from the Youth Chair and other officers.

Advocate for DCRFU’s values, fostering a respectful & inclusive community.

Deal with all aspects of finance for Durham County RFU, and sit on The Management Board. Deals with all day to day financial matters, dealing with payments and receipts, including payroll and bookkeeping, and VAT and I prepare periodic management accounts to help The Board make key decisions. I also deal with all financial regulatory matters, including the annual Statutory Accounts, and liaise with our Reporting Accountants thereon, and ensure that all regulatory requirements are met on time, including the filing of Returns with The FCA. I review Club Accounts and provide financial advice, as required to The Board and to Clubs, as necessary.

Oversee rugby discipline at Senior level and to assist the Age Grade Disciplinary Secretary.

Available to answer any questions regarding the discipline process and will ensure any sanction imposed is appropriate and consistent with similar offences. 

.....................................

 Oversee the development and playing programmes for all Durham's representative squads. These range from Under 16 Girls, through Under 17 and Under 18 Boys and Girls and the Under 20 Men’s programme, to the Men’s and Women’s County Championship programmes.

Our age group programmes are designed to develop the most talented players in Durham, create role models and raise aspirations within all our grassroots clubs.

Community Rugby covers a wide range of pillars that seek to grow and enhance all forms of rugby across the County.

These include :

• Governance roles such as Discipline, Safeguarding, and Rugby Safe, alongside Diversity and inclusion.

• Development roles such as Youth, Girls and Women, Coaching and Schools

• Delivery of adult and youth competitions

​

The committee, and role, has an important link between clubs and RFU to ensure that those development opportunities that are afforded through the investment by the RFU are fully embedded across the CB.

The position of Council Member is elected by the Member clubs in Durham for a period of 3 years and a maximum of 9 years in total.

The role is to represent the views of the Clubs and County at RFU Council and Committees and inform members of key decisions that impact on club management, rugby delivery and club sustainability.

The role also involves working on RFU groups and committees on what is in the best interests of the game and our local clubs.

The primary aim of the Administrative Officer is to manage the day-to-day administrative functions of Durham County RFU, ensuring compliance with RFU regulations, supporting the development of the game, and assisting in the delivery of county initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance & Compliance: Maintain accurate records, assist with meeting preparations, and ensure adherence to RFU policies and safeguarding standards.

• Communication & Coordination: Serve as the main point of contact for clubs, schools, and external bodies, including up keep of the website.

• Competition & Event Support: Assist with fixture scheduling, tournament administration, and county representative team logistics.

• Finance & Membership: Support financial processes, track payments, and manage invoicing.

• Development & Volunteer Support: Assist with volunteer coordination and ensure the delivery of rugby development initiatives in line with Hampshire RFU’s objectives.

Primary role is to support clubs:

• Connect clubs seeking to develop and/or those experiencing specific challenge with other clubs who have strengths/experiences in those areas and support these partnerships to cement and operate.

• Support clubs in improving management and volunteer structures with a particular focus on improving diversity among club leaders and managers.

• Assist clubs in considering revenue diversification and facility improvement opportunities, signposting and connecting them with relevant experience and expertise.

• Coordination and delivery of core projects to engage with new audiences, with a focus on the recruitment of women and girls into rugby clubs. 

• Support clubs in developing creative solutions to increase and diversify their playing membership, particularly amongst 14–18-year-olds (male and female).