Rose Pepperday
Proposed by: Florence Hickey
Seconded by: Ellen Mullins
Hi guys, I’m Rose, I’ve been your 2XV Coordinator this year, and I’m really excited to be running for Treasurer for the 2026/27 season.
Over the past three years, LUUWRUFC has genuinely been the highlight of my university experience. I’ve experienced all three teams, joining as a development player with no understanding of the game, other than the ball goes backwards, worked up to playing with the 2XV last year and this year being a part of the 2026 winning varsity squad!! I’ve experienced the highs of winning and the lows of losing (although always with good vibes!) and injury #MCLisnotthrivingrn. This club has given me so much, and I want to continue giving back by helping it grow, develop, and thrive.
Women’s rugby is continuing to grow rapidly, with increasing support. This continues to present a huge opportunity for our club, and I think it’s important that we make the most of that momentum. As Treasurer, I want to ensure we are not only supporting that growth but also making sure that every member – whether they are social, 3XV, 2XV or 1XV – feels they are getting real value from being part of the club.
What my goals will be as your treasurer?
1. Greater match opportunities for the 2XV and 3XV players
A lot of what I want to achieve comes from my experience as 2XV coordinator this year. One of my main priorities is increasing match opportunities, particularly for 2XV and 3XV players. It’s important that participant and development members are given the opportunities they deserve and pay for, and that we are proactive in organising fixtures. I will work closely with coordinators and exec, budgeting effectively for pitch and referee availability, working on what has been achieved this year to make sure as many people as possible get meaningful game time.
2. Player Welfare and Injury Prevention
I will work towards supporting and protecting the physical, emotional, and mental welfare of all members, ensuring I am seen as a reliable and trustworthy person within the club to come to with any issues.
We saw a high number of concussions this year, and I think there are ways we can work towards addressing this. Working with coaches to include more contact training where possible, introducing a standardised contact warm-up across all teams, would be one of my aims next year. I will continue to emphasise the importance of taking the RFU HEADCASE concussion training (and taking it seriously!) as well as how vital self and community reporting is.
I’d also like to work towards better access to Strength & Conditioning for all players, even if that just means access to the block program rather than dedicated sessions. Alongside this, continuing with a clear and consistent injury reporting system across the club and help ensure players are properly supported.
3. Transparency and communication
Transparency and communication are essential in making the club feel inclusive and well-run. I want to introduce termly whole club meetings where the committee can share updates and everyone can give feedback, so our members are aware of the work going on behind the scenes and are able to offer input where relevant for what they want from the club.
Alongside this, I would aim to continue with monthly committee meetings and regular engagement with the coaching team. As Treasurer, I want to be someone who works collaboratively and acts as a reliable sounding board within the committee, receiving and acting upon feedback given where possible – this is a club for everyone and we should all feel comfortable bringing up issues or suggestions.
4. Friday Training
I’d also like to look at ways to improve engagement with Friday training sessions, where attendance has been more varied. While there’s no definitive solution – this has been an issue that has been attempted to be resolved since I joined the club – I think it’s important to continue exploring and working with committee and the wider club to make sure we’re getting the most out of all our training opportunities – as an old coach of mine used to say, 1 day to remember 6 to forget if you’re only attending one session a week!
Finally, as Treasurer, I would be a strong advocate for increased financial support from the Union. I want to ensure that our funding reflects the size, growth, and ambition of our club – women’s rugby shouldn’t just be an afterthought of the men’s, we deserve exactly the same opportunities! – and that funding is distributed in a way that benefits all members fairly. My goal is to make sure every decision around finances supports the overall development of the club.
I believe I’m well suited to this role not only because of my experience within the club, but also because of my academic background. I will (hopefully) graduate this year with a masters in mathematics and having completed a placement year in accounting where I lived and breathed excel (we may see a return of my pitch side mouse wriggling skills next year!), I’m well prepared for the challenges that treasurer provides. Combined with my experience on committee this year, I understand how different roles work together and how to contribute effectively as part of a team.
Ultimately, I want to help ensure that LUUWRUFC continues to grow as an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive club where every member has the opportunity to develop and enjoy their rugby – Flo has done an incredible job this year as treasurer, and I’m eager to follow in her footsteps , working in conjunction with exec and committee and the wider club to make sure our members have the best experience, just like I have.
Thank you for your consideration, if you have any questions please feel free to message me 😊
Rose xx
