RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

The Royal Navy Rugby Union is delighted to announce the recipient of the Chris Alcock award for outstanding contribution to Royal Navy Rugby for 2017 is Commander Alan Church, RNRU Director of Operations.  Alan is the second deserved winner of the trophy, which was first awarded in 2016 to Senior XV Head Coach, Ash Coates. 

The award was presented by Life Member and former Chairman, Captain Chris Alcock at the Royal Navy Rugby Union Annual Dinner and Ball held at Fort Blockhouse last month.  Chris was able to regale the assembled audience, made up of players, officials, coaches, team managers, executive committee, life members, staff, sponsors and supporters, with tales of Alan's exploits over the past ten years since he took on this key role.  Working from his office in Rodney Block, HMS Drake, Alan also spends a great deal of time on the road, travelling to various meetings in Portsmouth and Twickenham, facilitating Royal Navy Rugby Union events and business.  He attends fixtures all over the country, and also supports events overseas including travelling to France for the annual fixture against the Marine Nationale and this year to the Netherlands for an Inverdale Challenge match. 

In particular, this year his contribution to the Army Navy Match Committee is worthy of note.  His superb organisational skills and eye for detail ensured that the centennial match between the Army and Royal Navy went without a hitch.  The event was also appropriately marked with a joint post-match dinner attended by representatives, past and present, of both Unions.  Alan's expert oversight and key knowledge was vital to the success of the evening.

Personable, with a loveable character, Alan is loyal, extremely conscientious and all who meet him agree that he is a pleasure to work with.  The development, growth and success of the Royal Navy Rugby Union in recent years is due in no small part to his endeavours, his personal sacrifice and overall contribution. 

There is nothing the Royal Navy Rugby Union does that Alan does not get involved with, from scoping out fixtures, to match day organisation, to liaison with Trustees and Life Members, to planning events for supporters and sponsors.  He is the glue holding all the business of the RNRU together and we would be lost without him!  Of course, any mention of Alan would not be complete without acknowledging the unfailing support and contribution of his wife, Glynis.  Always smiling and full of energy, Glynis willingly supports Alan in everything he does and the RNRU is richer for her involvement.

Congratulations Alan and thank you to Glynis.  We look forward to many more years of your involvement with the Royal Navy Rugby Union.

Images Royal Navy Rugby Union © Mark Giles