Rona Higgins and Michael Jinks will be sharing the role of First Team Manager in the new season, with Dave Radburn standing down after several years of loyal service. Gemma McGhee has also been confirmed as club ‘Physio’ for next season.

“I am delighted that Rona and Jinksy have agreed to jointly take on this important role for next season” said Head of Rugby Pete Glackin.

“Having been involved in the first team set up for many years now, they are both highly regarded by players and support staff alike and will provide continuity, professionalism and a wealth of experience to our set up as we prepare in earnest for the new season.

“It is also great that Gemma will continue to be part of our backroom set up, as she is a great team member and asset to the club”.

Club President Mike Brennan added, “Dave Radburn has given fantastic service in the role of First Team Manager in recent years, so our thanks go to him as he steps down from the role.

“The story of Rona and Jinksy’s individual and collective involvement with the club says much about them and their passion and commitment to the Bees. Both are long standing supporters who have progressively taken on more responsibility – always on a voluntary basis. They are shining examples of how people can make a real difference to our club and hopefully will encourage others to get involved as much as they can.

“Their stories are so good, in fact, that we’ve reproduced them in their own words!”

Rona says,

“I first started following the Bees in 2002 after I'd done a tag rugby course and some of the players came to do some coaching at my school, which was just up the road from the Sharmans Cross ground.

“I was completely hooked and attended home and away matches and made the most incredible friends along the way. The away trips on the coach were legendary, with the bar open as soon as the wheels turned!

“I got involved with helping to run the supporters club BeeSA and acted as a steward for a number of years. In 2010 when we moved to Damson Park, I had qualified in my spare time as a Sports Massage Therapist and offered my services to the club and I have been working with the first team ever since. It is a role that I absolutely love.

Having been asked to share the First Team Manager’s role with my great mate Jinksy, the job had to be such that my new role didn't affect what I do on match day, as it is always ‘full on’. My duties will mostly be behind the scenes, booking coaches, contacting referees, checking player registration (working alongside Tina) and supporting the Head of Rugby and coaching team.

“I am really looking forward to it, especially as I know ‘Radders is only at the end of the phone if I need advice!”

Jinksy says,

“My first Bees game was on the 8th December 2001 at SXR against Rotherham Titans, losing 16-56. This was, funnily enough, also Merson’s first ever game at the tender age of 19 months. I then spent the next 9 years travelling all over the country on the beer bus supporting the Bees and making great friends and drinking way too much.

“I started to get involved with helping the Dirt Trackers out on match days in 2006. I tried to help out in whatever way I could - from putting out the post protectors and flags to being DJ and match announcer.

“I started my Match Day Manager’s role in 2012 on our return to Portway after being approached by Eugene. My role was and still is to prepare everything to ensure the match day operation runs smoothly. From the kit, balls, ball boys, training equipment and the lads’ various requirements on match day and also, of course, running the kicking tee on.

My role for this season will actually not change too much. I will still run the match day operation with the added responsibilities of communicating with both the opposition and officials to ensure that all paper work is completed before, during and after the game. I will however be retiring from kicking tee duties.

Rona and I have been very good friends for a long time now - she is Bees ‘through and through’ and I cannot think of anyone who is better suited for our joint role. We will as we always support each other in whatever way we can to ensure that we, as a club, achieve our goal of promotion this season.”