Oxfordshire RFU CB Hon Secretary
Doug Humphries
Email: doughumphries09@gmail.com
Contact No: 07763943669
What is your rugby background?
I played rugby for Combe Down (Bath); Swansea University; Weymouth and Dorset & Wilts before joining Chinnor in 1976 as 1st XV scrum half. I then progressed through the various teams finishing my playing career with the Vets in 2015 when I became Club Chairman. Prior to that I had been Club Secretary in the early 1990s. My most recent roles at Chinnor are the O2 Touch (Touch Union) Administrator (referee/player) and their Covid Officer.
How did you get involved in the county?
Chinnor RFC has supplied several officers to the county over the last two decades. I have also met several others through my time as Chairman and admire the commitment and enthusiasm which they give to their tasks. As I am retired from Education, I have the time to volunteer for such a role, so when the possibility of taking on the Secretary’s position was discussed, I was delighted to be able to put myself forward.
What are your rugby highlights?
Winning the County Cup against Henley in my first season in Oxfordshire, especially as Chinnor were the underdogs! Also winning the Vets County Floodlit Cup competition on a few occasions – a great way to keep us older players involved in the game.
To see my daughter play for Chinnor Chicks back in the 1990s – and referee one or two of their games. I am pleased to see my four-year-old granddaughter has just joined the Thame Rugbytots to maintain the family connection with the game.
I enjoyed being a volunteer at the 2015 World Cup and getting in to see the second half of a few games. Also having tickets to see the final, even though England didn’t make this final.
Playing rugby into my 60s. I didn’t plan to, it was just a case of giving it another season and reminding myself that scrum halves don’t tackle! Also, the Vets were tolerant enough to let me come on as a replacement at half time!!
So, I am a great believer in the benefits of grass roots rugby to players of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and genders.
What do you want to achieve in your time on the board?
To maintain the efficient and effective administration and record keeping of the CB along with excellent communications with internal and external stakeholders, including the RFU.
To ensure that the Board does all that it can to support Clubs in getting back on their feet after the pandemic in terms of players, resources, training, finances etc. so that they thrive and not just survive. This will not be easy as financing the game at all levels is going to be a challenge for the game over the next few years. Hopefully, we can share good practices throughout the County so that we can learn and benefit from each others’ successes.