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 outstanding girls inside the Bermuda rugby neighborhood have been appointed into presidential roles inside the sport.

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

Having served on the BRFU committee for a number of years, most just lately holding the place of vice-president, Godfrey, who replaces long-serving government member Sean Area Lament, turns into the primary girl to carry the highest function because the union shaped in 1964.

“I’m excited to step into this new function, to proceed to construct on the efforts of my longstanding predecessor, Sean Area-Lament, who has served on the chief for 12 years and has devoted over 38 years to Bermuda Rugby,” stated Godfrey, who took up the game in 2012 and represented the island at nationalal degree earlier than damage compelled 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 neighborhood in Bermuda is unbelievable. By way of the efforts of its devoted and unrelenting volunteer base, rugby gives alternatives for people of each means 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 growth 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 robust place to develop the sport considerably and sustainably for the longer term, in order that our future younger athletes benefit from the camaraderie and unifying spirit that rugby’s core values supply.”

Historical past was additionally made at Lecturers Rugby annual assembly, with the appointment of Gillian Cross as membership president, as she turned the primary girl to carry the place because the membership was established in 1961.

Becoming a member of the membership in the direction of the tip of the 2012-13 season, Cross made a right away impression and have become a part of the nationwide girls’s group 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 function as captain for each Lecturers and the nationwide group.

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

Moreover, the significance of the sport to Cross and her household is abundantly evident along with her daughters, Corrie and Sarah, following in her footsteps to take up the game, whereas husband Corey frequently 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,” stated Cross.

“Our membership is constructed on the eagerness and dedication of our gamers, coaches, volunteers, and supporters. Collectively we’ll proceed to nurture expertise, develop expertise, and supply alternatives for progress, not solely inside our membership but additionally inside the wider rugby neighborhood.

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

“Their contributions have laid a stable basis upon which we’ll construct an excellent stronger future.”