CHINNOR RFC Thame are delighted to announce that Bertie Hopkin has been appointed as Club Captain.
The fly-half has made quite an impression at the Club since joining in 2015 and displays all the key qualities we believe are crucial to help drive our new vision forward.
Bertie, who has scored 335 points in 46 games, has already played a big part in our history in helping the Club reach the third tier of English rugby.
This appointment will now see him play a crucial role in our off-field management and he is thrilled to take up the position.
Bertie said: “After being at the Club for five years, I’ve always wanted to play a key part in its journey. When Club Captain was first mentioned to me, I felt very privileged to be considered for this role and it is a great honour to be selected. Chinnor is an amazing Club which has come a long way and still has so much potential. Despite everything going on at the moment, I think this is a really exciting time for the Club. We have a new beginning to build a culture the community will embrace, and we will continue to make Chinnor a place where people will enjoy playing and watching rugby.”
Chinnor RFC Thame Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe commented: “During my time as Head Coach, I was always impressed with Bertie’s influence over his fellow players. He is a club man through and through. While as a player he will no doubt compete strongly with the competitive backline we are developing, I feel privileged and excited to work alongside him as our Club Captain. Unlike some other clubs, Chinnor’s Club Captain will have a crucial role in player administration and delivering our new vision, and he will be forming a part of our senior management team.”
Chinnor RFC Thame President, John Ashfield added: “Club Captain is an important appointment and I am delighted Bertie has accepted the post. I thank Ben Manning for his efforts last year and we will thank him more personally when we can all meet safely again. Injury has robbed Bertie of more games, but through this he has remained a stalwart of the Club. He has moved to the area, secured a teaching post at Ashfold School and coached at all levels at Chinnor – even when he is not playing, he has been a great asset to us. In these times we need a Club Captain that can unite us all as players, members and supporters in a common goal. I can think of no one more appropriate than Bertie to fulfil this task at this time. He has proven his character and mettle on and off the field. He has overcome injuries with a smile and a steely will to return. If we add this to also being a person that you can enjoy time with and one who cares about the wider Club, we have been lucky that he has accepted the role.”
