This handsome bunch are the current trustees of the Old Rutlishians’ Association (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). On 1st April 2020 Old Rutlishians’ Association launched its charitable status having previously been an Unincorporated Organisation. They are elected by members and must stand down every 3 years at which time they can stand for re-election if they wish.
Kevin Wilde – Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bar Manager, Chair of the Finance & House Committee, Organisation & Development Committee member & Community Engagement Committee member
Sporting Interest: Football & Cricket
I attended Rutlish School between the years of 1978 and 1983 as a very proud student in Vikings House, I attained the heady title of Deputy House Captain and was awarded House Colours. I became a life member of the ORA in 1985, and have supported the Club whilst living in the area over the past years to the present date.
I am a keen football supporter, and was very happy to have been chosen to play in the walking football friendly against AFC Wimbledon’s teams in May. In 2017, I was co-opted to the executive committee and have served at this level until becoming Bar Manager last year after the Club’s move to charitable status, and subsequently taking over the mantle of Chair earlier this year. I’m a keen supporter of the ORA Bar and enjoy playing an active role in all aspects of propelling the Club to new sporting horizons after the tumultuous COVID time. We have endured. Outside of the Club, I am Managing Director of Mitcham Belle Coaches, and Vice Chair of the UK Coach Operators Association – dealing with the issues that have faced the coach industry over the past 15 months.
Neil Caton – ORA Trustee Board Treasurer, Finance & House Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby
I am a qualified accountant with more than 30 years of work experience. For the last 25 years, I have worked as an internal auditor in financial services. I have been an ORA member for the last seven years, through one of my sons playing junior rugby. During this period, I have spent time volunteering for club duties, including serving as an assistant referee and as an accompanying adult on three rugby tours. I became a qualified referee in March 2020.
David Doerr – ORA Trustee Board Secretary & Organisation & Development Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby & Cricket
I am currently the Secretary of the ORA Trustee Board, but in the past I have also served as ORA Treasurer (1976-80); ORA Chairman (1981-85); and ORA President (1986). I have been a life member of ORA since 1964, and I was elected to the ORA. Executive in 1965. I have been connected to Rutlish since 1956.
Mike Stallard – House Manager, Finance & House Committee member & Local residents’ Forum member
Sporting Interest: Rugby & Cricket
I have been a member of the ORA for about 15 years now and thoroughly enjoyed watching my three sons all play rugby and cricket for the Club over many years and particularly enjoyed my time running an age group in the cricket section. As Chair of the Rugby section, I helped develop Old Ruts from a small Club that punched above its weight to one which can more than hold its own across the whole of Surrey Rugby from our very young players to our three Senior teams and now to our girls’ and women’s teams. I have spent many years on the Exec at Old Ruts and until recently was the bar manager where I successfully grew the turnover year on year and ensured that our licensing was fit for purpose. I have also chaired the local residents’ forum, ensuring that we maintain as harmonious a relationship with our near neighbours as possible. Having recently switched to the role of volunteer House manager, I am already working on several important capital projects to ensure the Club is in great shape for the future. As a Rutlish School Governor (Chair of finance) and a trustee of the Rutlish Foundation I feel very strongly about the importance of the whole “Rutlish Family” in the local community and if re-elected will continue to work hard to promote all three parts of it!
Zak Dowdall – Grounds Manager & Grounds & Sport sub-committee chairman
Sporting Interest: Rugby
Personal Statement to follow…..
Lucy Trevelyan – Communications Secretary, Interim Membership Secretary, Chair of the Community Engagement Committee & Finance & House Committee member
Sporting interests: Cricket & Football
I have been a passionate supporter of the Old Ruts club (and living only a stone’s throw away, a very regular social visitor) since my family moved into Merton Park 12 years ago. Both my sons play cricket for the club, with my youngest also a regular on the U11s Blues football team. From September, both will be students at Rutlish School. I have made so many wonderful friends at our club and wish only to ensure that our unique community hub continues to go from strength to strength. I am both a lawyer and a qualified journalist and use these skills to offer occasional legal advice to the Trustee board (after 20 years operating in the legal world, if I don’t know the answer, I know someone who will) and handling the Club’s communications. I Chair the Club’s Community Engagement Committee, which is currently developing a number of exciting ideas designed to bring the sport and lasting friendships to even more local children that our club offers. Since July, I have also been served as the Club’s interim Membership Secretary and have been instrumental in setting up a Club-wide membership card scheme which will be rolled out throughout the Cub when lockdown ends.
Paul Cecil – Community Engagement Committee member, Grounds Committee member & Chair of Senior Rugby
Sporting interests: Rugby & football
I have been associated with Old Ruts for just over 10 years and have three active sons playing seniors rugby. I am currently Senior Rugby Chair and have held a number of voluntary positions within the Rugby Section and have coached rugby from juniors up to seniors. I am an RFU qualified rugby coach as well as being an FA qualified football coach and prior to joining Old Ruts spent many years coaching junior football teams. I love most team sports! I joined the Old Ruts Trustee team in March 2021 and have spent 30+ years in finance and banking coupled with nearly 20 years in sports coaching and in sports club leadership roles, which I hope will bring some benefits to the team of trustees whom I now work with.
Simon Payne – Community Engagement Committee member & Organisation & Development Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby
I have been a passionate member of Old Ruts for over 20 years, both as a rugby player, coach and now a referee. As a Level 1 qualified Coach, I took a team through the age groups from U11 up to U17, before briefing helping with Senior Rugby. Simultaneously I started refereeing, initially with the Club and subsequently for the SW London Referee Society. I now co-ordinate the Club Referees & referee junior matches on most weekends during the season. Outside Ruts, I have been a business consultant for the past 25 years, largely leading large Business Change Programmes for a my clients. I was elected as a Trustee in October last year, in an effort to lend my business experience to the running of the Club.
Stuart Mills – Organisation & Development Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby & Cricket
I have been in the Corporate Finance world for over 20 years, working in M&A and Leveraged Finance, advising and raising money for companies in the mid market. I am also an investor in several small companies and will provide guidance to the boards where appropriate. I am involved in the club through both of my sons who play rugby and cricket where I coach and help manage. My main role as a Trustee is on the Organisational and Development committee and support the other committees and trustees where appropriate.
James “JMO” Oakes – Health & Safety Committee member, Organisation & Development Committee member & Ground Centenary Planning Sub-Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby
I am the fixture secretary to the three adult male teams and also provide admin assistance to Paul Cecil head of senior rugby. I sort and order kit and first aid consumables, represent the club at local, county and RFU level, provide mentorship for players and am a first aider and a mental health first aider. I am also the first and last man at the bar, and am always happy to buy a round or seven!
Around the club, I suggested, designed and secured the outdoor cover for the club at zero cost to the club for an entire year. I then organized the second cover at vastly preferential rate from a third party, with (again) no fiscal gain to myself or my company, and provided tables, stools and lighting at no cost to the club. I brought in suitable access towers to change light bulbs with in the squash courts and hall at no cost to the club, and have assisted with other building projects, gutter replacement, trellis building, designed and assisted the installation of sound padding and acoustic curtains for the hall, painting, watering etc etc. In my career I have had the pleasure in working in the private entertainment world, all over the globe for the best part of 35 years. I have recently changed occupation and started a new chapter in my life as the MD of Palmbrokers, a “greens” company, supplying natural set dressing, plants, trees, ground cover etc for the film, tv, commercials, still shoots, and all sorts of events.
Sam El-Jouzi – Organisation & Development Committee member, Community Engagement Committee member & Grounds Committee member
Sporting Interest: Cricket & Football
My current role is the framework director for the High Speed 2 engineering delivery partner contract. The role involves engagement with multiple stakeholders across national government, local authorities and the private sector. As the senior director of our London office, I had to manage staff welfare, and our building and facility management operations. With my engineering knowledge I am also capable of undertaking structural inspections and manage aspects of building control and planning regulations. I have been a member of the Old Ruts for many years, and am currently a Surrey Level 1 qualified football coach, and manage the Old Ruts U14s yellows team. The team was established three seasons ago, and today 10 of the 15 team members all go to Rutlish School. Whilst not officially qualified, I help and support the Old Ruts youth cricket team too, from setting up to scoring at matches. I am a Governor at Rutlish School and sit on the premises committee. Importantly I am a regular user of the Old Ruts clubhouse, I am a local resident, and see the club at the heart of our Merton Park community, and the place where my son and other boys can enjoy all sports on offer, and feel part of a place they will always want to come back to even after leaving the local schools.
Simon Hunt – Community Engagement Committee member, Organisation & Development Committee member & Grounds Committee member
Sporting Interest: Rugby & Cricket
I am a passionate supporter of the club and have worked heavily over the last six years across both the rugby and cricket sections. I have three children who all play cricket and rugby for the club & very (very) occasionally steps onto the field myself. My core skill set is in project management but within that I have a wide array of experience across governance and controls, budgetary management, team building and leadership. I also offer strong support and guidance through my previous Treasurer role in the financial space as well as significant bar and hospitality experience. I also have a proven track record in fundraising and successful grant applications through my previous club. I believe my leadership qualities and ability to form strong teams of volunteers around me are well suited to a club like ours. I have plenty of energy and think that some fresh thinking will benefit the club moving forward to blend some of the great history with helping ensure a really sustainable future for the benefit of the community. I also feel that through my strong relationships across the cricket and rugby sections, I can assist in maintaining a healthy balance and respect across all aspects of the club.