ARURS - Key Contacts
Season 2009-2010

Maj Gen Roddy Porter MBE - ARURS and CSRR Chairman

I have always been passionate about rugby, having played it since prep school in 1968. My playing career was spent almost exclusively in the second row (tall, slow but never heavy enough) apart from a short spell at full back at school because I could catch and kick. Two early baths from the 'man in the middle' before the age of 12 for on-pitch anger calmed a potentially wild streak but I dabbled on the fringes of 1st team rugby until University, where I played for the Medics at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, enjoying some exciting rugby against local sides - Blaydon, Winlayton Vulcans, Novos etc. My career as a Regimental player with the Royal Welch Fusiliers was relatively brief and undistinguished. My happiest memory is the Battalion side winning the Army Cup for the first time ever when I was CO (needless to say I was not playing). It was whilst in command that my RSM (Paul Gough, himself a former ARURS member) suggested that I take up the whistle.

I attended the then Foundation course in Northern Ireland in 1999 and have enjoyed my time in the middle immensely. It is good to give something back to the game and to stay involved. The Battalion was not so sure - the crowds at inter-Company games did not really appreciate the CO and RSM operating as referees - they found it difficult to give us the bird! I have had some fantastic seasons with the Ulster Branch of the IRFU (what a great, encouraging bunch of people) and enjoyed Army and civilian refereeing. I particularly enjoy schools rugby.

I have been Chairman of ARURS since 2001 and it has been a privilege to serve the Society. We have some tremendously dedicated referees, assessors, coaches and administrators without whom the whole thing would collapse. I would like to publicly thank my associates who serve on the EXCO, who act as trainers, coaches and assessors and as Service Area Secretaries. I know what you put in and I take my hat off to you.

Finally, if you are thinking about joining up, don't hesitate. Come and qualify as a referee and enjoy a new dimension of participation in this king of sports.

Des Chapman - ARURS Vice-Chair and CSSR/ARURS RLO

Commence my long association with ARURS back in April 1969, by completing a Probationary Referees course held at Catterick. Although still a player in those days, I refereed at every opportunity and soon realised this was the side of Rugby I wanted to pursue.

Shortly after reaching (the old B3 grade) I was posted to Germany, where I blew the whistle more than actually playing. This developed into a keen and self-obsession to reach the highest grade I could possibly achieve. On posting back to UK, I was most fortunate to have a number of very good mentors (referees, on the old RFU Panel A List). Good coaching and sound advice, I found myself on the RFU Panel A4 List at age of 30. Not young by today's standards, but in the early 70's unusual. Having spent 3 seasons on the RFU A4 List, a chance to go on Loan Service with the Kuwait Army seemed too good to turn down. On my return to UK some three years later, needing to establish and re-grade, my active refereeing continued for 32 years, until the knees said "enough, please retire".

The rest is history; I first joined the ARURS Committee as S.E. District Area Secretary back in 1977. This followed a succession of Area Sec appointments, before being asked to take over the Hon Treasurer post (on a temporary basis) in 1984. The short-term position lasted some 20 years, including Hon Sec, Dinner Sec and other interesting Committee work until leaving the army. I have had the honour to remain and assist in various appointments in my capacity as Vice Chairman and currently CSRR/ARURS RLO.

John Voss – Society Training Officer & CSRR Development Manager

Born in the fabulous Georgian City of Bath in the heart of West Country Rugby, yes we can play rugby before you start!!

Studied at Beechen Cliff School that put me on the road of sport including Judo and Rugby. On leaving school I continued to play rugby and train as a Mechanical Engineer in the Bath Technical College and on completion of my apprenticeship I decided it would be a greater challenge if I joined the Army (REME) and travel around the world and get paid for it!!!!

After breaking my neck in a judo accident, I decided to take up the whistle after trying out coaching in 1994 joining the Army and Hampshire Societies. Moved to Germany and continued officiating in Germany, Holland and Denmark, all very good if you can speak their language!! Returned to Nottingham joining Notts, Lincs and Derby and coached by Brain "Waistcoat" Parkinson. Posted to Northern Ireland and took up the posts of CSRR DO and ARURS STO which has been enjoyable in a ever changing and demanding environment with members located within the three services located in the four corners of the world.

I enjoy most sporting and adventurous activities (As long as Bath are winning!) and like to tour on the motorbike when work is getting to me!

Colin Moore - ARURS Assistant Society Training Officer and CSRR Trainer

Stephen Dowse - ARURS Discipline Officer

I have been the CS Area 2 Secretary forever and am the Chairman Discipline Officer and Grading Secretary for the Dorset & Wilts Society (D&WSRFUR).

I took up refereeing when I got too old to play or coach, then advising and assessing after that.

Over the period 1965-77 I played as a rather elegant prop at Malone (NI), Salisbury, Bath, Brecon and Esher and with 1Mx/4 QUEENS, 1 QUEENS, NI CS, SW District, Berlin CS, a dabble in the Army squad and various other loose combinations. Coaching consisted of shouting a lot at various Army unit teams and the George Washington Rugby Club in Washington DC.

Stuart Gray-Cowan - CSRR Coaching Coordinator and Chairman of Grading Committee

I have been associated with Rugby Union since 1965. I have played for R Signals, BAOR, Far East Land Forces, and a couple of non-descript games for the Army.

In civilian life I have played for Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Salisbury, Wimborne, and County Level for Dorset & Wilts. Continuing my career, I refereed for East Yorkshire for ten years before becoming an assessor; now at level 5 for the Northern Group and Combined Services for whom I travel extensively.

Dave Edmondson - ARURS Secretary

I have been playing Rugby since the age of 11 and, although I should know better, still trot out for the RMA Sandhurst Staff team (The Pirates). I represented the REME in both UK and Germany for 15 years before age took its toll on my speed. I have been the Rugby Officer of a number of Units and was the Secretary of REME Rugby in Germany in the mid 90s. I am currently the Rugby Officer at RMA Sandhurst and recently took them to New Zealand on tour.

I have been Refereeing for over 5 years and am currently graded at Level 9. I have been the Hon Secretary of the ARURS for 4 years. I am also a Rugby Coach and currently coach the RMA Sandhurst team as well as Camberley U10s; and have coached mini rugby for the last 5 years. My two sons are rugby mad (not that they had any choice!) and they are all keen Sale Sharks supporters.

Steve Penfold - ARURS Business Development Manager

My Refereeing highlights include a trip to Twickenham as 4th Official for the Combined Services U21 vs England Students, refereeing both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (although not against each other) and refereeing the Royal Navy on a number of occasions.

Ops Officer
1 CS Bn REME
Megiddo East
Munster Barracks
Catterick Garrison
North Yorkshire
DL9 4AU

Mil Tel: 94731 4467
Mobile: 07770 897419

Trev Cutler - ARURS Treasurer

I took up rugby when I joined the army in 1985 at the Army Apprentice College. My first match as a flanker was of total confusion with the referee continuously picking me up for off-side. From there I slowly continued to develop as a player. Since then I have played for various units including SEME, 4 Armd Wksp, 1 RTR and 3 RHA before an injury forced me to stop playing the game.

In 2003, I wanted to give something back to the game. I attended the Foundation Course. After one season in Germany I moved back to the UK, where I was once again forced to take a season out due to problems with my shoulder, nothing to do with all those 3rd halves!!

I am also a coach and am normally found down at Gosport Park on a Sunday morning pulling my hair out as I try to explain the various off-side lines to Mini/Midis.

Trg & Del
Bldg 74, TTA
SEME
Budds Lane
BORDON
Hants
GU35 0JE

Tel Work: 94291 5677(Mil) 01420 485677(Civ)
Tel Mobile: 077 8921 0994

Email: trevs.rugby@tesco.net or seme-ci-milethosinstr11@seme.army.mod.uk

Tanya Cutler – ARURS Web Editor

I began to assist the ARURS with creating the website you see today in 2006, after despairing at an out of date and unloved website. I am currently not qualified as a referee (despite JV's nagging!), but I am qualified as a Tag Rugby Coach/Referee, and I was a Mini/Mini's Manager at my local club.

I do have a love of the game of rugby, and I try to support the referees and the work they do as much as possible. As a result of the success of the ARURS site, in 2008, I was asked to create the CSRR website.

When I am not supporting the referees, I am working towards an OU degree and enjoy tap dancing!

East Court D114
Dstl Portsdown West
Portsdown Hill Road
FAREHAM
Hants
PO17 6AD

Work: 023 9253 2284 (96803 2284)
Mobile: 077 9906 7996

Email: Tanya.Cutler@tesco.net