Meet The Team
Welcome to the board, lead volunteers and RFU staff of Hampshire RFU. Click any photo for a full profile.
Hampshire RFU Management Board
Gary Self
Neil McRoberts
Stefan Hargrave
Sarah Whatmore
Hannah Avoth
Rob Matthews
Laura Self
George Winch
Nick Whittle
Wayne Hausen
Tim Dancer
Terry Burwell
President
Gary Self
Email: president@hampshirerfu.com
Role Purpose:
Serves as a figurehead and institutional guide, championing the values and spirit of rugby across the county.
Key Responsibilities:
Attend Board meetings and occasionally join other committees to provide support and guidance.
Present volunteer awards at events, honouring key contributors to Hampshire RFU¾s mission.
Represent Hampshire RFU at matches, junior festivals, and other key events, with support from the Youth Chair and other officers.
Advocate for Hampshire RFU¾s values, fostering a respectful and inclusive community.
Chair of Hampshire RFU
Neil McRoberts
Email: chair@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07852309104
Role Purpose:
Provides strategic leadership and governance to ensure Hampshire RFU supports clubs to govern, deliver and grow rugby across the county.
Works closely with the Executive Director, Board, and stakeholders to drive strategic direction and operational effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the Board, ensuring effective governance and decision-making.
Oversee strategic plan implementation and alignment with RFU directives.
Act as a spokesperson and represent Hampshire RFU at regional and national levels.
Support and oversee the Executive Director’s strategic and operational delivery.
stelford:stelford
Finance Director
Stefan Hargrave
Email: finance@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07957450088
Role Purpose:
Ensures financial stability, transparency, and risk management within Hampshire RFU.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage budgeting, financial planning, reporting and payments.
Ensure compliance with financial governance and RFU policies.
Oversee risk management and financial controls.
Provide financial oversight for grant applications and funding allocations.
Director of Compliance
Sarah Whatmore
Email: compliance@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07778934468
Role Purpose:
Ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks, including safeguarding, discipline, and player welfare.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement policies aligned with RFU governance standards.
Oversee safeguarding, welfare, and disciplinary matters.
Ensure a transparent and effective governance structure.
Advise on risk management and regulatory compliance
Director of People
Hannah Avoth
Email: people@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07944386835
Role Purpose:
Leads volunteer development, coaching support, and inclusion initiatives to strengthen Hampshire RFU’s workforce.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop strategies to recruit, retain, and support volunteers.
Oversee CPD and recognition programs for coaches and volunteers.
Promote diversity and inclusion across all rugby roles.
Enhance leadership and personal development opportunities for volunteers.
Director of Adult Rugby
Rob Matthews
Email: adult-rugby@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07867998337
Role Purpose:
Oversees the structure, retention and growth of adult rugby competitions and participation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee adult rugby leagues and competitions.
Develop strategies to improve player retention and transition from youth rugby.
Ensure coaching, volunteering and development opportunities for adult players.
Support clubs in growing senior rugby participation.
Oversee senrior representative rugby.
Director of Youth Rugby
Laura Self
Email: youth-rugby@hampshirerfu.
Phone: 07775591553
Role Purpose:
Drives the growth and development of youth rugby, ensuring strong pathways for young players.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and oversee youth rugby programs, competitions, and festivals.
Build partnerships with schools to increase participation.
Ensure safeguarding and player development best practices.
Collaborate with clubs and schools to support grassroots rugby.
Oversee Club Hampshire age grade sides and RFU PDG player pathways.
Director of Club Investment
George Winch
Email: club-investment@hampshirerfu.
Phone: 07711340741
Role Purpose:
Supports clubs in financial planning, infrastructure development, and securing funding for sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and manage club support programs, including financial aid and investment strategies.
Secure external funding and sponsorship opportunities.
Oversee grassroots rugby investments to strengthen club capacity.
Provide guidance on facility and infrastructure development.
Club Representative
Nick Whittle
Email: nwhittle@bell-integration.com
Role Purpose:
Ensures that club needs, challenges, and feedback are represented at a board level.
Key Responsibilities:
Act as a liaison between clubs and Hampshire RFU.
Provide insight on club priorities and growth challenges.
Support initiatives to enhance club engagement and participation.
Advocate for club development needs within the board structure.
Club Rep
Wayne Hausen
Email: waynehausen@aol.com
Phone: 0785 0309979
Role Purpose:
Ensures that club needs, challenges, and feedback are represented at a board level.
Key Responsibilities:
Act as a liaison between clubs and Hampshire RFU.
Provide insight on club priorities and growth challenges.
Support initiatives to enhance club engagement and participation.
Advocate for club development needs within the board structure
Executive Director
Tim Dancer
Email: executive-director@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07817478090
Provides strategic guidance and professional support to the board, manages the operational execution of the strategic plans and oversees the daily activities to ensure the delivery of rugby development and governance goals.
- Implement board policies and ensure compliance with RFU governance frameworks.
- Oversee staff and volunteers, ensuring effective use of resources.
- Coordinate with directors to deliver on growth, governance, and sustainability objectives.
- Lead commercial activity and regional board engagement to increase resources for clubs.
RFU Council Rep
Terry Burwell
Email: terryburwell@rfu.com
The position of Council Member is elected by the Member clubs in Hampshire for a period of 3 years and a maximum of 9 years in total. The role is to represent the views of the Clubs and County at RFU Council and Committees and inform members of key decisions that impact on club management, rugby delivery and club sustainability. The role also involves working on RFU groups and committees on what is in the best interests of the game and our local clubs.
Terry currently is Chair RFU Adult Competitions and a review of Game Core values and is a member of Tier 2 Board, RFU Governance, and other working groups.
Terry is also part of the Appointments team at Hampshire Rugby Referees and attends all HRFU and HRR committees, helping deliver rugby to all communities across the County
Hampshire RFU Executive Team
Tim Dancer
Georgia Leprohon
Executive Director
Tim Dancer
Email: executive-director@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07817478090
Provides strategic guidance and professional support to the board, manages the operational execution of the strategic plans and oversees the daily activities to ensure the delivery of rugby development and governance goals.
- Implement board policies and ensure compliance with RFU governance frameworks.
- Oversee staff and volunteers, ensuring effective use of resources.
- Coordinate with directors to deliver on growth, governance, and sustainability objectives.
- Lead commercial activity and regional board engagement to increase resources for clubs.
Administrative Officer
Georgia Leprohon
Email: admin@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07859877125
The primary aim of the Administrative Officer is to manage the day-to-day administrative functions of Hampshire RFU, ensuring compliance with RFU regulations, supporting the development of the game, and assisting in the delivery of county initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Governance & Compliance: Maintain accurate records, assist with meeting preparations, and ensure adherence to RFU policies and safeguarding standards.
- Communication & Coordination: Serve as the main point of contact for clubs, schools, and external bodies, including up keep of the website.
- Competition & Event Support: Assist with fixture scheduling, tournament administration, and county representative team logistics.
- Finance & Membership: Support financial processes, track membership registrations, and manage invoicing where necessary.
- Development & Volunteer Support: Assist with volunteer coordination and ensure the delivery of rugby development initiatives in line with Hampshire RFU’s objectives.
Hampshire RFU Lead Volunteers
Sarah Jane Brown
David Dunn
Michele Amos
Nigel Morgan
David Creal
Richard Wood
Stefan Hargrave
Chris Budden
Deputy Director of Youth Rugby
Sarah Jane Brown
Email: youth-rugby-development@
Phone: 07306084750
Role Purpose:
Supports the growth and development of youth rugby with a specific focus on schools, girls’ rugby, and representative opportunities, ensuring inclusive and accessible pathways for all young players.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of girls’ rugby programs across clubs and schools.
- Build strong links with schools, Hampshire Schools RFU and the School Rugby Managers to grow participation and support school-club connections.
- Oversee age grade representative rugby through Club Hampshire and RFU pathways.
- Work alongside the Director of Youth Rugby to align strategies across club, school, and representative rugby.
Manager Club Hampshire
David Dunn
Email: cbhantsmanager@gmail.com
Phone: 07834964588
I was appointed to the role as Manager of Club Hampshire three years ago. I oversee the development and playing programmes for all Hampshire representative squads. These range from Under 16 Girls, through Under 17 and Under 18 Boys and Girls and the Under 20 Men’s programme, to the Men’s and Women’s County Championship programmes.
Our Men’s XV compete in Division One of the Bill Beaumont Cup and our Women’s XV are currently Division Two Champions in the Gill Burns Cup. The Under 20 Men’s squad have been both finalists and semi finalists in the Jason Lennard Cup during the past two seasons. Our age group programmes are designed to develop the most talented players in Hampshire, create role models and raise aspirations within all our grassroots clubs.
Much of my time is spent in developing a range of player pathways to stretch our most able players. I work closely with our parent club, Bath Rugby, and I am proud of the professional and international players we produce in Hampshire.
CB Rugbysafe Lead
Michele Amos
Email: rugbysafe@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07884271543
I am privileged to work with a group of 40+ Club Rugbysafe Leads in Hampshire’s clubs who work tirelessly to support player welfare for the players in their clubs. I help them with compliance with RFU Regulation 9, which requires all our clubs to provide top class pitchside care and provision to ensure effective and consistent player welfare, injury management and post-injury return to play. This includes training and developmental support for a vast team of Emergency First Aiders who undertake to look after all Hampshire’s players on and off the pitch at training and matches: completing Risk Assessments and agreeing policy for adequate provision in this regard; developing injury recording and reporting protocols to ensure all injuries are appropriately managed and followed up; recognising and signposting where necessary mental health needs across the breadth of our playing community.
Player welfare must remain the top priority in Hampshire’s community clubs – along with our volunteers, our players are our most valued commodity and we must all work hard together to help them attain the most enjoyment from our sport. As a team, we also work with Hampshire’s University rugby players, striving to improve the experience for all those who play our sport.
Disciplinary Chairman
Nigel Morgan
Phone: 07804 495496
Disciplinary Secretary
David Creal
Email: davidcreal@yahoo.com
Phone: 07720810213
My role is to oversee rugby discipline at Senior level and to assist the Age Grade Disciplinary Secretary. I am available to answer any questions regarding the discipline process and will ensure any sanction imposed is appropriate and consistent with similar offences. I have been Secretary since September 2014.
I am a self-employed Chartered Accountant working as a sole practitioner. I have been a member of Romsey R F C for 33 years where I was chairman for a number of years.
Age Grade Discipline Secretary
Richard Wood
Email: rwood5@sky.com
Phone: 07759162729
My role is to oversee rugby discipline at Age Grade level; this covers Club’s, School’s, College’s and Academies. I am available to answer any questions regarding the discipline process at Age Grade and will ensure any sanction imposed is appropriate and consistent with similar offences. I am also a member of the Adult Discipline Panel and have been involved with Hampshire Rugby Discipline since 2019.
I am a retired School teacher with over 35 years’ experience, a RFU qualified Level 3 coach and RFU certified Director of Rugby and have filled the roles of Head of Rugby and Director of Rugby at both school and club level.
U16 Girls PDG Lead
Stefan Hargrave
Email: u16girlspdg@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07957450088
Role Purpose:
Leads the coaching and development of players within the Girls U16 Player Development Group (PDG), ensuring alignment with England Rugby objectives and providing a positive, inclusive environment for aspiring players.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver the England Rugby PDG curriculum, working closely with national and regional leads.
- Lead and support the PDG coaching team, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
- Oversee player identification and assessment days to select and monitor talented players.
- Ensure ongoing individual development plans and feedback are in place for all players.
- Monitor and review session delivery to meet both player needs and programme goals.
- Reflect on coaching practice and encourage continuous improvement across the team.
Adult Competitions Lead
Chris Budden
Email: competitions@hampshirerfu.com
Phone: 07548863281
Role Purpose:
Leads the adult competition structures for senior Hampshire clubs, ensuring appropriate, accessible, and regular competitive opportunities that support club sustainability, player retention, and the spirit of rugby.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and coordination of all adult competition activity across Hampshire, including leagues, cups, and social formats.
- Support, coordinate, and develop the league secretary team to ensure consistent communication, timely administration, and smooth delivery of competitions.
- Work collaboratively with the RFU, local leagues, and other stakeholders to agree the annual adult competition calendar, balancing club needs with wider game priorities.
- Ensure all competitions operate in line with RFU regulations, Hampshire RFU policies, and agreed competition rules. Address disputes and disciplinary issues in collaboration with relevant committees.
- Maintain regular dialogue with club competition leads to understand challenges, identify development opportunities, and respond to feedback.
- Explore new competition formats (e.g., social leagues, flexi formats) to widen participation and support club growth, especially for lower XVs.
- Provide updates to the Hampshire RFU Director of Adult Rugby on competition matters, outcomes, and strategic challenges.
RFU Team
Tim Holmes
Adam Cottingham
Kieran Spencer
Alex Roe
Clive Cashell
L&SE Club & Volunteer Support Manager
Tim Holmes
Email: timholmes@rfu.com
Phone: 07764960408
My role is as a Club & Volunteer Support Manager (CVSM) role which covers London & South East and is responsible for the management and deployment of a team of Club Developers which covers each of the 7 CB’s in the area.
As CVSM I ensure Club Developers support rugby clubs to operate sustainably and be fit for the future through high quality personal, group and virtual support.
I work closely with the wider Development team both locally and nationally to ensure that programmes are delivered to the clubs based on their needs and requirements. This is done by using data and insights provided by clubs, CB’s and other partners and to deploy resources to work in depth with a number of priority clubs, working in collaboration with the wider RFU Clubs & Communities team to help clubs operate sustainably.
I engage with CB’s at various levels to help and support their needs, as well as feeding in RFU initiatives and interventions that might benefit their programmes.
CB Relationship Manager
Adam Cottingham
Email: adamccottingham@rfu.com
Phone: 07545602748
I am part of dedicated team ensuring strong, effective partnerships between CBs and RFU to collectively support and grow the Community game at a local level.
Facility Development Executive
Kieran Spencer
Email: kieranspencer@rfu.com
Phone: 07912541462
My role is to provide specialist guidance and advice with respect to protecting, providing and enhancing rugby club facilities. To prioritise and align capital investment opportunities to support the growth of the game.
Club Developer
Alex Roe
Email: alexroe@rfu.com
Phone: 07526907822
My role as RFU Club Developer for Hampshire in the London South East team, is to support rugby clubs to operate sustainably and to be fit for the future. Through the provision of high quality personal, group and virtual support, my role is to facilitate opportunities for clubs to create effective club management structures, diversify and grow revenues, grow and develop the volunteer base and enhance their facilities.
RFU Coach Developer
Clive Cashell
Email: clivecashell@rfu.com
Phone: 07764960383
Supporting the plan to create a pool of quality community coaches across the game at all levels, by delivery of Coach education and development courses and managing, as required, communities of practice for all coaches. This will help with More Players playing More Rugby More Often.
