Yorkshire Rugby has two representatives on the RFU Council. They also participate in Sub-Committees of the RFU which report to the Community Game Board.
After his last three-year term for the RFU representatives Ted Atkinson has stepped down as the Yorkshire RFU representative alongside Joe Bedford who was appointed last time, replacing Jim Chapman.
Following an election,Toni Birch will continue the great work Ted has done over the last six years.
Toni has been involved in the community game at all levels for 25 years having been a committee member of Wharfedale Rugby Club, at both Age Grade and Senior level before progressing to Yorkshire CB.
At county level she started as an Age Grade representative then taking on a new role following a strategic review of the county as Club Development Chair for the last 7 years.
This role provides leadership on a number of key areas including Volunteer recruitment and recognition, Diversity & Inclusion, Competitions, Referee Development, Funding & Facilities and RugbySafe.
Professionally, she has had a career in finance and banking, having been a portfolio manager for NatWest Bank and now working for North Yorkshire County Council as a School Finance Officer.
Married to Phillip with two adult sons who have all been involved in rugby.
Joe remains on the RFU Council with experience of the Community, Professional and Age Grade game and is heavily involved in the game at each level. He brings a wealth of knowledge from the core of the game, as a player and a coach, providing a different perspective.
Joe had an eleven-year professional playing career and following this, captained Yorkshire Men’s XV and represented England Counties XV in 2014 and 2015. He has since become a PE Teacher and Head of Rugby at Woodhouse Grove School and combines this with his roles as U18 Yorkshire Rugby Academy Coach and 1st XV Coach/Player at Sandal RUFC.
Together, they publish regular updates on their activity and you can read them here.
