Leicestershire Rugby Union are delighted to announce the appointment of Dean Toon as Chairman of Leicestershire Rugby Union for 2019/20.

Over the course of the next few days we will be introducing you to your Executive Committee for the forthcoming season with a few words about them. We are all looking forward to getting out into clubs this season  so we can get to know you too.

Dean Toon, Chairman

As an Englishman being educated in North Wales there was always the challenge of the oval ball vs the round one so rugby was a big part of my schooling initially and my love for the game stems from my old school master. Whilst suffering a back injury in my early 20’s, it scuppered my very modest scrum half playing career!

I have been involved in local Rugby since 2005 at Cosby RFC when my oldest son became interested in the game. Like many before me I ended up becoming a volunteer, coach and along with a couple of others ran the youth section of the club. We moved on to South Leicester where I was appointed Mini/Junior Chair in 2011, a position I held for four seasons before being approached to take on the Youth (now AGR) chair for the CB (Constituent Body). I am honoured to have been nominated as Chair of the Executive Committee this season and pay tribute to those who have held the chair previously.

The financial pressures are an increasing challenge for the CB, challenging us all to become more efficient with optimum delivery. We have a great team on the exec and operating committees who are focused on the core aims of the CB. In my tenure working alongside our stakeholders and member clubs my role is to spend our core funding in the areas that assist clubs to put more boots on the grass. With one child who has successfully transitioned and one more in his last AGR year I see the difficulties up close moving from AGR to Senior and this will be a particular focus. In my paid work I am a Director of a Group of Companies with my main role being an Insurance Broker. I have three children, a rather excitable dog and a rekindled passion for motorbikes.

Barbara Crellin, President

My background is education, being a Primary School teacher and Head teacher for almost 40 years.

I went to my first rugby league match aged 2 on my father’s shoulders and have followed rugby ever since.

We joined Oakham RFC in 1982 when we moved to Oakham and changed codes. I have fulfilled many roles at Oakham. Suffice to say that if a job needs doing I do it; from kitchen to kit shop to discipline to H&S to First Aid to Safeguarding and Welfare to Volunteers and Committee. My son played from Minis to Seniors and now manages the Clubhouse, my daughter works the bar, son in law and two grandsons play first team and three smaller grandsons play in the current minis. It is a bit of a family affair which surely is a culture we need to foster.

I started attending LRU clubs meetings as I felt Oakham was missing out and they were! I have been actively involved with the LRU for more than four years and am very proud to serve as President 2019-20

Kevin Whitcombe, Hon Secretary

Kevin has been a local player at all levels and is a former Police Officer. Having joined the LRU as a volunteer in 2012 Kevin has chaired the development committee and is currently the LRU Hon Secretary and a member of the executive management committee.

Following this year’s Annual General Meeting, Leicestershire Rugby Union are delighted to appoint Barbara Crellin as President for the 2019/20 season. Barbara has already spent a year as President Elect and now takes over the reigns from outgoing President Steve Rice. Barbara joins us from Oakham RFC and is looking forward to a full year of appointments with a keen interest in Age Grade Rugby where, like many of us, became involved with Rugby Union when her son started to play.

With Barbara’s appointment, we turn to thank an number of LRU volunteers who have decided to step down from their roles within the union.

Firstly, we say thank you to Steve Rice. Steve has been an active member of the LRU for some time now with position of both Chairman and President under his belt. Steve has also championed the Leadership Academy within Leicestershire and will continue with his involvement from the sidelines to encourage promising leaders from clubs.

Also, stepping aside is Dean Toon. Dean has been the Age Grade Rugby Chair for 5 years and done a fantastic job under some challenging times with changes in rules to the youth game. Dean has also sat on the Executive Committee for that time and the PFR committee. Further still, Dean instigated and managed the creation of a new website which was a lengthy and time consuming process, but definitely worthy of the investment. Dean’s successor is Liz Causon from Hinckley RFC. Welcome Liz!

From the county representative team, we say thank you to Simon Chaperon. Simon has had a number of roles within the Leicestershire. Senior men’s and U20s Manager, procurement manager and county cup liaison officer. Over a the past 10 years Simon has had to work very hard to make sure that all  players, managers and supporters of all these events have the best experience possible. Leicestershire Rugby Union would like to wish Simon all the very best for the future.

In addition, Stuart Davies has been working as the Leicestershire U16s Boys Manager for the last three years. It is with great sadness to lose Stuart as he has done a fantastic job in building the relationship between Leicester Tigers young Academy and Leicestershire. Stuart feels it’s time for some else to continue to move this forward. Thank you Stuart.

Brian Hesford, Discipline Secretary has been looking to step down for some time, but wouldn’t do so until a replacement was found. Brian is a county stawart and has held a variety of roles with the game including LRU President in 2016/17. No doubt we will see Brian as he is a regular supporter of county events and is remains active within his own club, Melton Mowbray RFC.

Mark Powell has stepped down from his position on the executive committee Mark was the Director of Rugby for 3 years and saw both the men and ladies win their county championship finals in 2017 under his reign. Mark has been involved with selection processes for talented players to play for regional teams and has also done a lot of work with the Leicester Tigers Academy to bring through young players into the professional game. Thank you for your expertise, time and work on the executive committee over the last few years.

We also thank Yvonne Copson who has been secretary for the women and girls forum, but has decided to call time and we say welcome to Eleanor Wilkinson who has already taken up the position.

Finally, we thank Kim Swift who has been LRU treasurer, and actually stood down last season, so thank you Kim!

Leicestershire Rugby Union are hosting the second Leicestershire Coaches Conference on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30 June at Leicester Forest Rugby Club.

Saturday’s focus is on the 15 aside game

Sunday’s focus is on Age Grade Rugby

The guest host coaches are John Fletcher and Russell Earnshaw, former England Under 20s coaches and proprietors of Magic Academy. John and Russell will be running master classes on coaching skills and techniques to provide Leicestershire Coaches with the tools to challenge themselves and their players alike.

The LRU and local RFU staff are supporting the event with an insight into the support, courses and resources available to the Leicestershire clubs. There will be light refreshments and a stash bag for each delegate. Please book your ticket here for £25 per delegate per day. Each delegate will be awarded a free place for their club to a DCMO CPD (Developing Coaches & Match Officials), designed for your Club Coaching Coordinators (one place per club).

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