It was with real sadness last week we received the news from Ollie Akroyd that he had reluctantly decided to finish in his role as Head Coach with immediate effect. Ollie had initially indicated before Christmas that he would be finishing at the end of this season but he now feels the time is right. I would therefore like to place on record the club’s appreciation and thanks for his efforts throughout his tenure in charge.

By the end of his first season we had won the Yorkshire Shield for the first and only time in the club’s history. By the end of the following season we were champions of Yorkshire One, Northern Divisional Champions in the National Cup and just one game away from the final at Twickenham. That was just before Covid hit and Ollie was instrumental in keeping the squad together through lockdown. When we restarted the club was playing at the highest level it ever had in the league system and this season, despite the loss of a substantial number of players, we have been rebuilding most successfully and sit mid table looking to go again to play at the best level we can.

Ollie has not just been the most successful coach in the club’s history, he has been a member since he joined us as an 8 year old, moving through the youth system as part of a Yorkshire Cup winning side and then representing the club in the First XV. He has always been a great club man and has led the way in volunteering for all occasions and club events. He’s always been a most respected and much loved member of the club and I hope that he maintains his contact clearly with the club he loves.

Lee Imiolek and Neil Sheard have now taken over from Ollie in leading our Men's Seniors and both have the full backing of the club. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Clive Harris, in his role as Senior Rugby Chair, for his stewardship over the transition and the succession planning that's been ongoing since before Christmas.

Richard Turner, OBRUFC President