Game of Thrones, Navy Rugby Edition

As the 2025/ 26 season of Rugby gets underway with the U23 team preparing for their Inter Service clashes, it seems timely to provide an update on the recent changes at the top of Navy Rugby - From Vice Chair to Chair, and Chair to President.

Firstly, we wave goodbye to Admiral Andy Burns, who has served as the President of the Royal Navy Rugby Union since 2023, and before that was a very active Vice President with responsibility for the U23s team. Along with his wife Wendy and son Samuel, they have been vocal supporters of all the RNRU teams over the years, supporting as many events as his busy diary as the Fleet Commander would allow, including a memorable trip to Vannes in France for the Marine Nationale fixture in 2024. Admiral – thank you for your leadership and championing of Navy Rugby and we wish you fair winds and following seas in the next exciting chapter of your life.

We were delighted when our RNRU Chair, Admiral Steve Moorhouse, was selected to become the new Fleet Commander. However, this means he has had to step down as the Chair RNRU. On the bright side, along with the handover of Fleet Commander responsibilities, he has also taken on the role of President of the RNRU from Admiral Burns. The Executive Committee are pleased that we retain such an informed and willing advocate for Navy Rugby in our hierarchy and we look forward to many more RNRU events and successes with him at the helm.

So, for those of you who are keeping up – the role of President is filled, but that left a gap at the Chair level. Traditionally, the Chair has been selected by the President, identifying a person who has the RNRU knowledge and expertise to deliver the wide remit of responsibilities that being the Chair of Navy Rugby requires. Admiral Steve, in conjunction with Admiral Matt Parr, RNRU Chair of Trustees, has identified Commodore Sarah Oakley, RNRU Vice Chair, to take on this responsibility. Sarah is honoured to take on the role as Acting Chair until the appointment can be ratified at the RNRU AGM in November. Sarah has been a member of the RNRU Executive Committee since 2015, firstly in the role as Director of Communications, and since 2019, stepping into the role of Vice Chair, supporting past Chairs, including Capt Andy Kellett, Cdre Roger Readwin and latterly Adm Moorhouse. Sarah has also been serving as a trustee for the RNRU for the past 6 years and will continue to serve in that role as RNRU Chair.

Sarah said “When I joined the RNRU Executive Committee in 2015 I never dreamt I would ever take on the role of Chair. However, over the past ten years I have got involved in many different aspects of Navy Rugby and loved every minute of it. From watching the matches and meeting the players, to working with all the volunteers and executive committee members, it is all great fun, and incredibly rewarding. The RNRU has a very strong leadership team in the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, and I look forward to playing my part as Chair.”

Finally, we are delighted to announce Captain Aidan Riley Royal Navy as the new Vice Chair of the RNRU. Some of you may remember Aidan in his role as Assistant Director of Rugby for the Mariners, (also his starring role as Flipper, highly capped player for the Mariners), and prior to that as ADoR for the U23s who retained the Inter Service title for 3 years in a row. Aidan is throwing himself wholeheartedly into the role as Vice Chair and has already attended his first Executive Committee meeting. In his role as Vice Chair, Aidan will also be a serving trustee and a member of the RNRU Investment and Finance Committee.    

“I cannot wait to get stuck in to giving back to the RNRU what it has given me; love, fulfilment, fun and commitment.”

Subtle changes at the top but the Union is still in safe hands.

Images J Hulm, Bethan Jones and Keith Woodland.