TAUNTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB - Key Persons
The Friends of Taunton Titans was started in the summer of 2006 with the main objective being to improve the opportunities for senior players.
After graduation from Cardiff University, Adam started his career in the academy at Exeter City FC. Adam soon decided to transition into developing his skills working in rugby alongside progressing through the NHS as a specialist MSK Physiotherapist. Over the years, Adam progressed to a specialist knee physiotherapist, working alongside the surgical teams with complex injuries, before deciding to leave the NHS to pursue opportunities working in private practice. One benefit was being free to continue working with the Titans. Adam's working responsibilities continue alongside completion of his Sports Physiotherapy Masters with Bath University.
The Friends of Taunton Titans was started in the summer of 2006 with the main objective being to improve the opportunities for senior players.
Our new website is still a work in progress and we're busy collecting some interesting facts about our coaches to display here - so keep an eye out because it's coming soon.
Job Titles:
- Back Three / View Profile
Job Titles:
- Member of the Committee & Staff
- Matchday Co - Ordinator
As the matchday co-ordinator, Darren has a number of key responsibilities which include briefing all gate staff fully on match days, ensuring we have sufficient stewarding at all home games, making certain all ground floor facilities (changing rooms) are ready for home and away teams, meeting and taking care of match day officials ensuring they have everything they need and liasing with visiting teams over parking requirements / any special considerations for disabled supporters.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of the Committee & Staff
The president of Taunton RFC is the ambassador for Taunton RFC at home and away 1st XV matches. He is a confident figurehead for Taunton RFC. He is a trusted confidant of both players and members. He has a close working relationship with all TRFC staff and rugby players at every level of the club.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Member of the Committee & Staff
The club's general manager has a number of key responsibilities. James is the first point of contact for any matters arising at Taunton RFC and manages all commercial Staff. He is responsible for all HR and Health & Safety matters that may arise and he manages all events at Taunton RFC as well as taking care of the day to day finances and reporting monthly debtors, creditors and profit and loss to the management committee. He oversees the commercial and Titans budgets, manages the membership process and communicates with all sections at Taunton RFC.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Committee & Staff
The Taunton RFC Treasurer has a number of key responsibilities which include working alongside the Chairman to create and deliver a sustainable budget for all aspects of the club. Furthermore, She monitors and reports on financial trends and any issues that may arise. Jane prepares and understands both profit and loss accounts and balance sheets and works alongside the nominated club auditors and ensures that recommendations are carried out. It falls to the Treasurer to have the ability to understand and complete VAT and PAYE returns and therefore to work closely and professionally with all Taunton RFC Staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Committee & Staff
- Facilities & Grounds
Being in charge of Facilities and Grounds carries a number of responsibilities which include ensuring the club buildings are maintained to a high standard and that all necessary repairs / improvements are carried out in a professional manner. Jerry produces and budgets an annual schedule of both essential repairs and general refurbishments and maintains budgets for the maintenance of all the outside grounds. He co-ordinates the groundsmen and ensures they have all the resources required to keep playing surfaces at the best possible standard. Finally he verifies that H&S risk assessments are completed and returned to the General Manager for all works.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Committee & Staff
- Club Chairman
The Chairman of Taunton RFC has a number of key responsibilities. John chairs all committee meetings and reports to members, players and coaches on all aspects of Taunton RFC. He creates and develops short, medium and long term development plans for all rugby at Taunton RFC and works with co-committee to ensure delivery. It is John who creates and delivers an affordable and sustainable budget for all semi-professional rugby at Taunton RFC and he also creates and delivers appropriate funding for all other rugby at Taunton RFC including Youth and Juniors. He acts as a trusted confidant of players, members and staff at Taunton RFC, assists with the building of relationships with the Taunton business community and must constantly be aware of new sponsorship opportunities. As Chairman, he champions all rugby at Taunton RFC. He's a confident problem solver and has the ability to deal with issues or complaints throughout the club. He works closely with the General Manager on all operational aspects of Taunton RFC.
The Friends of Taunton Titans was started in the summer of 2006 with the main objective being to improve the opportunities for senior players.
Our new website is still a work in progress and we're busy collecting some interesting facts about our coaches to display here - so keep an eye out because it's coming soon.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Committee & Staff
- Club Captain
Neil started playing rugby for Taunton when he was 12 in 1988 has been involved ever since. Symo has represented the 12's, 13's, 14's, 15's, 16's, 17's, Colts, 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and vets. Neil Ran the 2nd team for 7 years and the 3rd team for 2 years, he is now running the vets side. Symon joined as players rep/club captain to assist the players to have a voice at committee meetings and to keep a ex player involved with the running of the club. The Club Captain has a number of key responsibilities which include working alongside the coaches at all levels of rugby through the club, ensuring budgets are maintained and resources available. He negotiates contracts for players alongside coaches, making sure the club gets a 'fair deal' and players get a fair wage. He holds to account all coaches and parent helpers at all levels of rugby if TRFC standards are not maintained. The Club Captain reports on all levels of rugby to the committee and members, assists with fixtures for all senior rugby and chairs disciplinary hearings when necessary.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Secretary of the Committee & Staff
As the Secretary of Taunton RFC, there is a number of key responsibilities for Pete. He has to comprehensively minute all club meetings as required and to distribute accordingly. The Secretary ensures that rules relating to TRFC are fit for purpose. He must also work closely with Somerset RFU to guarantee that Taunton RFC is represented and has a voice 'At the SRU Table'. Pete liaises with all levels of rugby at Taunton RFC ensuring that our reporting to the NCA is on time and appropriate. It is Pete who verifies that TRFC is in compliance with the RFU's guidelines (Twickenham).
The Friends of Taunton Titans was started in the summer of 2006 with the main objective being to improve the opportunities for senior players.
Steve joined TRFC in 2009 as a parent Coach. From 2011-2017 he coached a youth side (the Rebels) and when they were in the U17's (co-coaching with Julian Graham), the team reached the Regional Finals and the National semi-finals. In 2011 he was persuaded by Neil Simons to play Vets Rugby against Dorchester - ten years since his last game but in 2012 Steve played for the 3rd team with the Wanderers. His last game of rugby was in the 2018/2019 season but by then he had taken on the 4th official role for the Titans. Steve has been on the Club Committee as a member, youth chairman, club safe-guarding officer and club volunteer. Steve coordinates the very successful Armed Forces Day here at TRFC. Steve took over the Titans Team Manager role in the 2019/2020 promotion season.
The Friends of Taunton Titans was started in the summer of 2006 with the main objective being to improve the opportunities for senior players.
Tony Joined Taunton firstly as a Player Coach in 2010 before taking over the reins as Head Coach during the 2011/12 season. He brought with him a wealth of experience having played for teams such as Worcester, Bedford, Randwick (Australia), Exeter Chiefs and Launceston before joining Taunton. During his playing career he represented England U21s & England A as well as the Barbarians. Over his 12 year professional career he scored over 3,000 points including 1,800 for Exeter Chiefs in 173 appearances. Once Tony had taken over as Head Coach he quickly moved to bring in former Chiefs team mate Keith Brooking as Forwards Coach. Within 12 months, Keith moved into the role of Team Manager and this paved the way for Chris Brown who was brought in as the new Forwards Coach. Over the last few seasons the off field staff has changed slightly but Tony feels in Keith, Chris, Julian Salvi (Defence Coach), Adam Rutter (Physio), Sandra Williams (Sports Masseuse) and Lyndon Lane (Strength and Conditioning) he has the right blend to drive the team forward. During his time in charge of the Titans we have seen the club evolve from a team struggling in National League Two to a team consistently in the top four and leading to promotion to National League One. During that time we have also seen the club become a breeding ground for ambitious young players with a number of them moving on to play at a higher level and crediting Taunton as the launch pad they needed to get there. These include the likes of Sam Skinner, Jack Owlet, Paul Davis (all Exeter Chiefs), Jake Woolmore (Bristol Bears), Dan Frost and Dan Lee (both Cornish Pirates) to name just a few, with a number of other Chiefs academy players benefiting from time at Taunton. These include Joe Simmonds, Stuart Townsend, Tom Lawday, Pete Laverick and Sean Lonsdale. Tony has said that "the aim of the coaches at Taunton is to improve any player that decides they want to join us, we try to create a learning environment for our players to help make them the best that they can be and to create a positive team culture that they can really get behind and feel part of". We feel at Taunton we are lucky to have such an ambitious coaching team who, with the right support off the field, can keep pushing this great club forward.