May 2020

Serving Overseas and Still Making Time to Volunteer

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Serving Overseas and Still Making Time to Volunteer

Jamie Campbell-Baldwin was delighted to be presented with his Royal Navy Rugby Union Value the Volunteer award by Rear Admiral Guy Robinson, Deputy Commander Strike Force NATO.  Lieutenant Commander Campbell-Baldwin finds time to volunteer for the Royal Navy Rugby Union while working on the Admiral’s Battle Staff in Lisbon. At the Royal Navy Rugby Union Annual General Meeting in November, Volunteers’ Manager Kirsty Marlor announced a record seven Value the Volunteer (VtV) awards, many of which were presented on the day, to volunteers who have contributed to the output and charitable aims of the Royal Navy Rugby Union throughout 2019.  Jamie Campbell-Baldwin was a...

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Time for Queen Elizabeth or the Prince of Wales to Step Up?

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Time for Queen Elizabeth or the Prince of Wales to Step Up?

The Navy Cup is approaching its 50 th anniversary and in the illustrious list of winners the only ship remains HMS Ark Royal from the inaugural competition.  With two new carriers the pride of the Fleet is it time that a ship once more has her name engraved on the trophy? It could have been so very different.  Before the Royal Navy Rugby Union was formed the Rugby Football Union, wanting to establish rugby as the sport of the armed forces, offered to provide both the British Army and the Royal Navy a trophy for a cup competition.  The Army accepted believing that it would bring their men and officers together, the Royal Navy declined believing that the sport should rem...

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A big thank you and farewell to DoR Cdr Chris Roberts

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A big thank you and farewell to DoR Cdr Chris Roberts

The Royal Navy Rugby Union family would like to wish outgoing Director of Rugby Commander Chris Roberts a big thank you and fond farewell.  Chris joined the Royal Navy on the 3 rd June 1985, and it was at HMS Daedalus in 1986 when he played his first game of Ship rugby after which he was swiftly selected for the Fleet Air Arm Colts XV, playing in the Wildfire Trophy. Chris playing fullback and in his rugby prime was also selected for the Royal Navy Colts side who’s season highlight was a 6-0 victory over the Army at Aldershot stadium (rumours have it that Scotland Selectors came to watch him in action); Chris also experienced the roller coaster of the sport, losing heav...

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Royal Navy Rugby Union welcomes new Director of Rugby Commander Rob O’Kane

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Royal Navy Rugby Union welcomes new Director of Rugby Commander Rob O’Kane

The Royal Navy Rugby Union is delighted to announce that Commander Rob O’Kane has been selected as the new Director of Rugby succeeding Commander Chris Roberts.  Rob takes up his new position and joins the Royal Navy Rugby Union Executive Committee with immediate effect. Rob is no stranger to Navy Rugby, having previously represented the Royal Navy Rugby Union at Senior XV level, and also, more recently, having led the RNRU Under 23 team to victory as Assistant Director of Rugby in the Inter Service competition. Born in the northern town of Wigan, Rob was unsurprisingly influenced by rugby throughout his early life. Having been a regular on the terraces of the famous ...

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RNRU welcome new RFU Council Member Lt Cdr Kirsty Marlor

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RNRU welcome new RFU Council Member Lt Cdr Kirsty Marlor

The Royal Navy Rugby Union is pleased to announce that Lieutenant Commander Kirsty Marlor has been selected as their new RFU Council Member with immediate effect.  Kirsty replaces Brigadier Ewen Murchison who has stepped down due to operational requirements. Kirsty began her rugby journey in 2003 during her final year at the University of Bath following a conversation with the Captain of the rugby team.  This conversation started a (currently) 17 year love for the sport which has included time both playing and volunteering within rugby.  She has played for a number of teams around the country including Portsmouth Valkyries, Redruth Albany and Yeovil ladies.  The ...

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