At last night’s Lancashire County RFU Annual General Meeting, retiring President Mr Ian Spivey handed over the Presidential reins to Mr Robbie Jones.
Robbie Jones was nominated by Past President of Lancashire, Ken Andrews, who took pleasure in delivering a citation to the meeting highlighting Robbie’s career in teaching and schools rugby, which began at Isleworth and Syon School in London where he became involved with Middlesex County Schools Union, 1989 to 1997, as a committee member, coach, selector and team manager of the County XV.
In 1997, Roobie moved to Lancashire to take up a teaching post at Arnold School, which eventually amalgamated with King Edward VII School to become AKS Lytham. For twenty years he was master in charge of rugby and he was instrumental in developing the game in both schools. Upon his arrival in Lancashire, he quickly became involved with the County Schools Committee which has continued until the present day, fulfilling almost every role including chair, selector, coach and team manager. He represents Schools Rugby on many committees and continues to organise all the School Cup competitions and festivals in the County. Since 2012, he has been the Lancashire representative and selector for the North U18s. In recent years he has made a contribution to the England Schools Union as a Committee Member and a member of the National Competitions Sub-Committee. His work nationally has been extended even further as he is now the England Rugby Schools National Safeguarding Manager and has been elected to serve on the England Schools Board. For the past three years, he has been a co-opted member on the RFU Age Grade Governance Committee.
Robbie’s contribution has in simple terms been significant. He has made a genuine difference to so many aspiring young rugby players at schools, county and national level and we are delighted to confirm his appointment as President of Lancashire RFU.
