It was a great honour to be nominated and elected as the President of Leicestershire Rugby Union 2017-18. It is a privilege to follow in Brian Hesford’s footsteps and he will be a hard act to follow but you will have my utmost commitment.

I have been involved in Leicestershire Rugby Union for the past 18 years following my time as a Rugby Wife and Mum supporting my husband and three sons from the side lines at Market Bosworth Rugby Football Club, for 26 years. My involvement began from being a volunteer at club level, and I recognise the importance for all clubs to have this support in order to thrive every week, year in year out.

I joined the County Management team when Leicestershire Rugby Union was asked to establish the all-important safeguarding of young people in our sport back in 1999. At this time I was asked by the County to develop and implement child protection and safeguarding procedures as guided by the RFU and Government. As a result many counties then followed in our practice. I have had the pleasure of training many other volunteers in safeguarding to enable our sport to be a leading light in the welfare and safety of young players and adults involved in our beloved sport.

The Constituent Body Rugby Development Partnership (CBRDP) was developed to link schools, clubs, representative rugby, safeguarding, women’s and girls’ rugby, young volunteering, discipline, competitions and governance all ‘under one roof’ (Leicestershire Rugby Union, The Years of Change 1987-2012). I succeeded Eric Barker after his 17 years of commitment to the role of Chair of Youth Rugby and CBRDP Chair. Eric and the late Laurence Fenton were great mentors, along with many others that I do not have space here to honour at this time. Everyone has inspired my involvement in Club and County Rugby which now has reached the pinnacle of being your President this season.

I am looking forward to revisiting as many grassroots clubs as possible during my term. Thus ensuring support and enthusiasm of all club members from volunteers, players, coaches, supporters and management to safeguard the sustainability and inclusivity of our sport in Leicestershire.

With your support and diligence, I am confident that we will continue to extend our achievements of this year into another successful season at club and county level. I look forward to representing on your behalf at other fixtures and events throughout the coming year, maintaining the counties excellent profile not just locally but on the national level too.

This is the 130th year of Leicestershire Rugby so let us collaborate at every level and make some wonderful memories for 2017-18.

Pauline Harding

Hon President