The rugby section held their AGM on the 25th May discussing the season ahead and voting in the club members who will form the rugby committee for the following 12 months.

Introducing Five Ways Old Edwardians 2018/19 rugby committee.
President – Andy Rose
Chairman – Alex Nock
Patron – Peter Grace
Secretary – Richard Lisseter
Treasurer – Tom Densham
Fixture Secretary – James Muller
Membership Secretary – Ben Ernstzen
Coaching Co-ordinator – Anna Macdonel
Club Captain – Simon Densham
Women’s Representative – Triona Johnston
Safeguarding Officers – Kat Baldwin and Emma Fuller
Communications Officer – Kara O’Donnell

With various changes to the committee, the new set up allows for a balance of experience and youthful exuberance. In a change to previous seasons, the role of patron has been introduced to the committee with the position being held by previous Rugby Club President Peter Grace. Peter has been involved in the rugby committee for many years and was very proud to lead the club through its 125th season as President. Richard Lisseter had the following to say about Peter as he continues to support the club in his new role.

“No one in our Club deserves the title of 'Mr Five Ways' more than Peter Grace. A player with both the Rugby Club and the Cricket Club. A Life Member of the FWOE Sports Club. Past President of both the Rugby and Cricket Clubs. Outside his involvement with FWOE, Peter has had a glittering career in Rugby administration with Greater Birmingham, North Midlands - of which he was the Representative on the RFU Council for many years - and with the RFU itself. Slowing down gently, he has just retired as a Trustee of the Rugby Football Foundation but continues in the role as Chair of the Rugby Football Funding Awards and Chair of the FWOE Association (not the Sports Club). Now elevated to the position of Patron of the Rugby Club, Peter describes his role as thus, 'A non-executive volunteer who countenances, promotes and gives influential support and advice to the Club, its Officers and Members'”

In addition to this change, Andy Rose moves to President of Five Ways Old Edwardians RFC. Peter Grace has known and worked with Andy on the rugby committee for many years and as he passes on the baton, he does so with the knowledge that it is in safe hands.

“After the challenges of 2017/18 season particularly in the Mens adult squad this coming season needs a huge team effort and who better to lead this than Andy Rose a great and loyal Club member and a natural leader.

He has served his apprenticeship with 8 years as Club Chairman in some difficult times both for The Club and himself . Andy’s leadership comes from the heart and I am sure he would still be active on the field as a motivational captain had fitness allowed but now he has the chance to unite and lead the whole club forward young and old , men and women- no member is more suited than this generous and committed guy.

Give him and Chair Alex Nock and their Committee every support and remember Andy is a man who listens.”

New chairman, Alex Nock has volunteered his time for the club in many ways since becoming a member over 10 years ago. When speaking to him, the incoming chairman had the following to say about his time at the club so far and the new challenges ahead.

“I joined Five Ways in 2004 after a 4 year break from the game – making 18 First XV appearances in my first season playing flanker or hooker. Over the subsequent 10 years I was proud to represent the club on over 250 occasions winning 9 sets of First team colours. I was honoured to captain the side for 4 of those seasons between 2006 and 2010 including through the fire and subsequent rebuilding period of the clubhouse.

I was also one of the inaugural coaches of our ladies section when it began in 2005 and - aside from a couple of years off in the middle when I broke my leg, got married and became a father – have been involved in the coaching of the side ever since. It’s been fantastic to watch the team evolve over the years from never having played before to competing at the top of their RFU league.

Unfortunately, I had to retire from playing the game in October 2016 due to a back injury and so can no longer take to the field. However, it is very important to me that I am able to contribute to Five Ways and give back to the club that has given me so much over the years which is why I have continued to sit on the Rugby committee. As well as being captain I have also held the positions of fixtures secretary, referees liaison and rugby representative to the exec so have a range of experience that I bring to the table. Having sat on all 3 committees at Five Ways (Rugby, Cricket and Exec) at various points I also bring an in depth knowledge of the wider running of the club and the challenges we face.

I am honoured to have now been elected to represent the club as Chairman – a role that has always been in my long term aspirations and one to which I hope to do justice. My objective within the job is to provide the support needed to all our fantastic volunteers as we continue through a phase of rebuilding the men’s section whilst continuing to develop the Ladies and Youth. I believe we have the right people in the right roles to accomplish this and am excited about the prospects for a great future for all aspects of Rugby at Five Ways.”

It is easy to see how passionate each of these Five Ways OERFC members are. Over the next season, they will work closely with all sections of the club to ensure that as a rugby club, Five Ways continues to strive forwards and maintain its excellent reputation as one of the most proud, welcoming and prosperous of rugby clubs in the Midlands.