Committee

Giles Hilton - Chair

I played my first game for Canterbury Colts in 1975 against Ashford and broke my wrist….Have been involved with the Club since then representing the Club in all 7 senior teams.

The late Neil Weigh got me involved with the bar in 1982 and from there I have held the roles of Social Secretary Mini and Youth Committee rep before Steve Uglow kindly put me up for election as Chairman in 2003. I have managed to stand down twice since then but on both occasions have managed for the mantle to return! Outside of the Club I am Head of Customer Relations at Shepherd Neame and Chair of St. Lawrence and Highland Court Cricket Club. I am also a Trustee of The Atlas Foundation.

Mike Dodd - Treasurer

I played rugby at school for Rochester Maths as a not particularly good fly half or centre. On leaving school I took up other sports but never lost my love for rugby so when I bought my first house in Sandwich in 2007 I started coming along and my love for the club grew from there.

I ran my own accountancy practice for around 30 years and so when I read that the club was looking for a new treasurer in 2018 I jumped at the opportunity to become more involved and have not regretted it. My role requires me to keep an overview of the club’s finances including the preparation of monthly and annual accounts as well as preparing budgets and forecasts.

Sally Taylor - Secretary

My involvement with the club started in 2017 when my two boys joined as Minis. After all those hours waiting and watching come rain or shine, I thought it would be great to be involved in more of a capacity than just than just as a parent or spectator.  My offer to ‘help out’ rapidly (5 mins later) turned into being offered the role of Club Secretary!

Brand new post for me, but it allows me to get involved in the inner workings of the club and as a member of the Executive Committee help shape its future.  Aside from AGM and committee meeting organisation, the role has many other facets, one of which is looking at grants though which the club can benefit.

Greg Mayne - Club President

I joined the club in 1984 whilst I was a student at what was then Christ Church College. My first few seasons were spent as a back row player until I was coerced (by Benny Bell) to step in as hooker and there I stayed. I played for every side in the Club plus 2 seasons of Touch rugby and have also done a wheelchair rugby training session.

Having acted as Hon. Treasurer for one season (emphasis on the ‘acted’…) I started coaching minis and juniors. My last official game as a player was in 2014 for the 3rd XV Development team – not sure what was left to develop – and I then switched to full on spectator. The opportunity to run for President came along in 2019 so I grasped it, and it is an honour and privilege to represent and be associated with the great Club and Community that is Canterbury RFC.

Matt Corker - Head Coach

I played my junior rugby at Thanet Wanderers and from school studied at Bath University. After representing the university side and England Universities I joined the Wasps senior academy as a professional. From there I moved to London Welsh making over 240 appearances over 9 seasons, including two championship winning seasons, two seasons in the English Premiership and one British and Irish Cup win.

During my time at London Welsh, I was also appointed club captain and lineout coach. I continued my coaching career with one season at Richmond FC as a player coach for their first season in the championship, helping them to avoid relegation. After relocating back to Kent I made my way to Merton Lane and after three seasons as a player coach, including being part of the National 2 playoff winning team and making over 70 appearances.

I am now proud to be leading the squad as head coach.

Ian Hodges - Mini & Juniors Chairman

I returned to Rugby at the age of 22 after having very limited experience playing at school and established myself with my ability to run strong crash ball at No12, but also known for my inability to pass the ball. I did the rounds of East Kent clubs for the next 25 years playing at Sheppey RFC, Sittingbourne RFC, Deal RFC and Canterbury RFC. I cycled between playing at Fullback, Centre, Flanker, Wing, and even a stint at No 8. My last 5 years playing was for the mighty CRFC Zingari under the unstoppable captaincy of Colin Scurr. The thing I miss the most about not playing is not being able to run out onto a cold, wet pitch on a Saturday afternoon. My most enduring rugby memory is having met and chatted to the Legend Jonah Lomu in Salzburg Airport, whilst on a Champions League football trip.

I reached a point where I needed to give something back to the game that has given me so much. I am now the Mini and Junior Chairman, and work with a group of talented coaches and volunteers to ensure a pipeline and the future of East Kent rugby through engaging young players from the age of 6 upwards.

Denys Andrianjafy - Communications Manager

Sometimes called plucky, often foolish, my number 9 shirt could be seen jogging confidently onto the pitch and often stretchered off. There was a joy to running headlong at the opposition knowing you had much bigger support … most of the time. I got involved with CRFC in 2018 through my stepson training with the Mini & Juniors. The welcome given to us really talks at what it means to be a part of a rugby family. An opportunity arose to become a member of the Executive Committee and I jumped at the chance to play a more active role, albeit off-field, in such a wonderful and supportive club.

My role is to co-ordinate communications from the club through our various channels, website, social media etc, and to ensure our club voice is communicated appropriately in an inclusive and engaging way. The #OneClub #YourClub theme runs through the narrative of all club communications and is the living heartbeat of CRFC.

Liz Larkins - Safeguarding Manager

Canterbury Rugby Club came with the boyfriend back in 2005.  Fast forward to 2016, I’ve married the boyfriend and both our children are now also playing rugby at the club.  Whilst watching the children I was asked if I would have some time to be able to volunteer at the club and in a case of ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ I said yes and helped with the DBS checks for the Mini and Juniors Coaches.

I’m now the Safeguarding Officer for the club.  My role is to provide leadership in safeguarding children within the club, maintaining a supportive and positive environment in which children can play rugby safely and ensuring that members understand the RFU Codes of Conduct and Core Values.

Dom Graham - Compliance Officer

A lifelong supporter of CRFC. Enjoyed some very memorable years playing 4ths & 5ths before running off with the Exiles for a short spell. Following the sudden passing of the incumbent, Andrew Burdge, I took on the mantle of Club Treasurer in 2012 only handing over the reins to Mike Dodd in 2019. Hopefully there were still funds in the Club accounts.

I remain a member of the Executive Committee as Compliance Officer.  My role is to ensure that CRFC complies with its external regulatory and legal requirements as well as ensuring internal documents and policies remain up to date. I also assist with elements of the Club communications infrastructure.

You can find me at the majority of home games, sometimes enjoying lunch, always enjoying the rugby and the beer.

Ian Lloyd - Operations Manager

I have been involved with rugby clubs since the late 90’s designing websites for Cardiff RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Neath RFC, Llanellen RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC, Welsh Women’s Rugby Union and later for what was then Allied Dunbar premiership sides including Bath and Wasps.  Since relocating to Kent a decade ago my focus has been with Canterbury RFC. Outside of the club I run a sound engineering company which supports Hospital Radio, commercial radio, and podcasters. Since the Covid Pandemic started, delivering food for JustEat.

I am honoured to hold the role of operations manager where I ensure amongst other things, the grounds are maintained to the highest standard and events are organised and run smoothly. What happened behind the scenes impacts greatly on the experience and enjoyment at match days and the like. I take great pride in having a dedicated team working with me to ensure focus is on-field.