Following the recent election process to find a successor to Tracy Edmundson as one of our representatives on the RFU Council, we congratulate Chris Brookes on his election. His was the only valid nomination received so he was elected unopposed and is appointed through to 31 July 2023 in accordance with RFU Rules.

As previously advised, there will be a further opportunity later in the season (during February) for anyone interested in the role to stand for election effective from 1 August 2021 to replace me when I stand down after 10 years at the end of the season.

As the future structure of rugby management within NLD evolves over the next couple of months, further detail on how Chris and I will work together amongst our clubs will be advised but both are available for any contact that clubs wish to make. In the meantime, the following is a brief rugby and personal bio from Chris.

Hi for those of you that don’t know me, I am Chris Brookes. I am immensely proud and honoured to be representing you and our Clubs on the RFU Council. It is no doubt going to be huge challenge to promote the community game over the coming months and years.

I have been involved in Rugby all my life, playing for Nottingham as a Colt, and moving to my hometown Club Long Eaton at 19. I played for the Club for 25 years, including County Rugby and NLD. During my playing Career and post retirement I have always been involved in the management, development, and administrative side of the game. As well as Chairing and being development manager at Long Eaton for the last 10 years, I managed the County Teams, and Midlands Under 20’s before being promoted to Manage the England Counties Under 20 Team for the last four years. I have a particular passion for aspirational pathways, retention of youth players into the adult game, as supporting our Clubs.

I am married to Jackie, with three adult sons, and three foster children. As a family we have fostered for over 20 years, and in the last 10 years we have been full time therapeutic carers for Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Futures program.

If you have anything you want to discuss or any issues, please do not hesitate to contact me on 07999 494378, my personal email is [email protected]