JJ Jeffrey is named new president of Cambridge Rugby Club

Cambridge Rugby Club have announced three appointments to their committee.

JJ Jeffrey will succeed Steve Bowller as president, John Hopkins will become treasurer and Colin Brown has also joined the running of the club.

Jeffrey is a former player, treasurer and chairman of the club.

“I originally stepped away from the committee last August because I felt that I needed a break,” he said.

“My intention was always to return in some capacity, but the president’s role was never a consideration.

“When Steve stepped down, I was approached by several members and asked if I would be willing to put my name forward.

“Having discussed with Alison (my wife) she pointed out how much the club means to me and said that if I felt ready to return I should do so (even if it was sooner than planned).

“Then, when the other two candidates rang me and said that they would support me and withdraw from the race it was a ‘no-brainer’.

“So here I am, looking forward to the new role and working with the committee again.”

Hopkins will fill the vacant treasurer’s position, and is a director at Cambridge-based transport planning and infrastructure design consultancy Transport Planning Associates.

Injury forced his retirement from playing, but Hopkins has become a regular visitor at Volac Park, with TPA being a club sponsor for nearly 10 years.

“Still missing an active involvement in the game after 20 years and the receipt of an email asking for potential interest in joining the committee led to a couple of conversations with Rob Dean and, as they say, the rest is history,” he said.

“Who knew then that the events of the last month would unfold as they have! Expecting a gentle start to my tenure as treasurer and seeing the culmination of a successful and progressive end to the season on the pitch was swiftly replaced with daily conversations with other members of the committee, and service providers, to try and do all we can do to put the club in the strongest possible position for the start of next season, whenever that may be.”

Brown is a partner at Carter Jonas, and has supported Cambridge for a long time as a sponsor.

He will follow a well-trodden path from mini and youth parent to team manager and now onto the committee.

“As an ex-mini and youth parent and age group manager, as well as a corporate sponsor of the club for a number of years, I responded to the request from the chairman and former president to lend a helping hand,” said Brown.

“The club is almost entirely run by volunteers who supplement the work of the head coach and other paid employees, and the burden clearly needs to be spread to relieve pressure on those who drive the club and help it realise its ambitions.

“I am keen to assist in any way I can.”

Cambridge launched an appeal this week to raise £40,000 to help them through the off-season during the coronavirus pandemic.

To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/crufc