Junior Chair at just 16
Bolton Rugby Club have recently appointed 16-year-old Josh Dickens as their Junior Section Chair.
Bolton Rugby Club have been celebrating their 150th anniversary while focusing on staying relevant to younger players and members.
Executive Chair, Mark Brocklehurst, says the club’s age grade section, with almost 300 young players ranging from six to 18 years old, is by far their largest and is essential for the club’s growth, development and future.
Nobody under 30 on the Board
Brocklehurst said: “During a recent review we realised we had nobody on the Board under the age of 30 and questioned how we could be in touch with our younger players and still remain relevant in such a fast-changing landscape. We started to look around and one name kept cropping up as someone with the wherewithal to ensure what we offer for the young people is what they would want, and that was Josh Dickens.
“Josh has played rugby at Bolton from the start and has featured in every age group. He is now in the Senior Colts, so he knows what it’s like to be a member and player at Bolton," continued Brocklehurst. "He’s a pupil at Bolton School where he also plays rugby, and although his priority needs to be his A-Levels it still leaves him enough time to help us shape the development of the club.
“His very first assignment was an ITV interview when we hosted the mafia-targeted Sicilian club Briganti, who came over as our guests to show the kids from the deprived housing estate of Librino an alternative life to gang culture and organised crime. It was no surprise when Josh confidently explained their plight on camera.”
Support team will include all
Several people will be helping Josh in his role and the aim is to build a support team representing every age level at the club for both girls and boys.
Jo Webber Milton, who is Josh’s deputy, said: “it’s an inspiring and positive initiative putting a person with Josh’s experience and association with the club in the position of Junior Chair. These initial steps should benefit Bolton Rugby Club and their players for years to come. We want to build a foundation that fosters a safe and fun environment for young people to play a variety of rugby themed activities and the future is looking bright."
Josh said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to be more involved with my club. I am keen to make a difference in the club and hopefully change the way the junior section works for the better. We have already developed a group of eager people to help me on this path. Bolton Rugby is an inclusive club that listens to its members' views and my appointment is a great example of this."
