The weekend before last saw the culmination of a long term plan and conspiracy to surprise Rita Russell with being awarded The Townsend Trophy. The Townsend Trophy is a long standing tradition of EGRFC. The award was first presented by the benefactor Harry Townsend before time began. You can see the board as pride of place opposite the bar. What made this presentation special is that it was the first time in the history of the award that Harry has ever made the presentation to the winner in person. Harry was 80 recently and all his chums arranged a surprise party for him at the club. He was chuffed to bits!

Andy Poole President of EGRFC was also there to make the presentation on this special occasion. Andy had the following to say; “I have been involved with EGRFC for 12 splendid years. Rita has always been a constant and consistent source of support, exceptional organisation and rather impressive flower displays. She has been involved with everything from Chairing the Community Board, Membership Secretary as well as keeping the club ethos and spirit alive”. While Andy was describing how he felt about the work Rita had done for the Club over the years he went onto reveal that Rita and “her equally fantastic Husband Bob” as he describe him, have also recently sponsored the installation of a new chairlift at the club. “We are yet again very grateful for their huge generosity” said Andy.

He concluded “Being in a position as the new Club President to present the Harry Townsend Trophy to Rita was an honour and a privilege. We all have Rugby Heroes and Rita is mine”.

You don’t have to go far to find many people equally as appreciative of Rita. Dave Hooker, EGRF Intermediate Chair commented; “Even before Rita became an Officer of the club in her own right, she has always been a great support to Bob [Russell] in the achievements he has made for the club. Rita then took the role of membership secretary which she carried out with great efficiency. She ensured the club received all membership income available and provided essential information for team managers and for RFU youth registration. This summer for example she worked tirelessly to ensure the RFU database “GMS” was up to date – no mean feat!”.

Rita was fully involved in the Community Board. In the last year she instrumental to ensure it and therefore the cultural heart of the club functioned to keep the community side of the club running efficiently during that challenging period by acting as secretary for that and other meetings as necessary.

Rita did not restrict herself to these roles and whenever there was a need for a volunteer to help she was always available whatever the task.

On behalf of EGRFC, Thank you.