The future is female for Bermuda rugby

Created: Jul 10, 2023 05:32 PM

Historical past makers: Gillian Cross, left, and Gemma Godfrey who been appointed as president of Lecturers Rugby Membership and of the Bermuda Rugby Soccer Union respectively

Two distinguished ladies throughout the Bermuda rugby group have been appointed into presidential roles throughout the sport.

Gemma Godfrey has been voted in as the brand new president on the helm of the Bermuda Rugby Soccer Union in the course of the nationwide physique’s annual normal assembly on the finish of final month.

Having served on the BRFU committee for a number of years, most not too long ago holding the place of vice-president, Godfrey, who replaces long-serving government member Sean Subject Lament, turns into the primary lady to carry the highest position for the reason that union shaped in 1964.

“I’m excited to step into this new position, to proceed to construct on the efforts of my longstanding predecessor, Sean Subject-Lament, who has served on the chief for 12 years and has devoted over 38 years to Bermuda Rugby,” mentioned Godfrey, who took up the game in 2012 and represented the island at nationalal degree earlier than damage pressured her to shift focus to the executive aspect of the sport.

“I’d prefer to thank Sean for his unparalleled dedication and repair to the sport.

“The rugby group in Bermuda is unbelievable. By way of the efforts of its devoted and unrelenting volunteer base, rugby supplies alternatives for people of each potential and curiosity to return and take a look at the game, whether or not that’s by way of our native golf equipment, youth programmes, highschool and center college leagues, in addition to our participant improvement pathways.

As with many sports activities in Bermuda, rebuilding participation has been a key focus for us since Covid, however I’m assured that with the assist of the newly elected government and officers, we’re in a powerful place to develop the sport considerably and sustainably for the long run, in order that our future younger athletes benefit from the camaraderie and unifying spirit that rugby’s core values provide.”

Historical past was additionally made at Lecturers Rugby annual assembly, with the appointment of Gillian Cross as membership president, as she grew to become the primary lady to carry the place for the reason that membership was established in 1961.

Becoming a member of the membership in the direction of the tip of the 2012-13 season, Cross made an instantaneous impression and have become a part of the nationwide ladies’s workforce in 2014.

Falling in love with the sport and tradition that comes with it, she has been a continuing fixture in each the home contact league and the nationwide contact league, holding the position as captain for each Lecturers and the nationwide workforce.

Off the sector, Cross has additionally served on the BRFU government committee, filling the place of girls’s consultant and offering a powerful voice in assist of the ladies’s league.

Moreover, the significance of the sport to Cross and her household is abundantly evident together with her daughters, Corrie and Sarah, following in her footsteps to take up the game, whereas husband Corey recurrently volunteers as an assistant referee whereas additionally serving as secretary of the BRFU and now performing because the compliance officer for the Union.

“As the brand new president, I’m dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive surroundings for all members,” mentioned Cross.

“Our membership is constructed on the fervour and dedication of our gamers, coaches, volunteers, and supporters. Collectively we are going to proceed to nurture expertise, develop abilities, and supply alternatives for progress, not solely inside our membership but additionally throughout the wider rugby group.

“I prolong my honest appreciation to the outgoing president Brian Desmond, who served within the position for the previous six years, and to the earlier presidents and committee members for his or her dedication and arduous work in bringing the membership to the place it’s right this moment.

“Their contributions have laid a stable basis upon which we are going to construct an excellent stronger future.”