When the opportunity to become chairman of Chosen Hill Rugby Club presented itself, Stuart Coles didn’t need too long before deciding to take on the role.

He’d been a supporter of the club for 20-odd years, he was on their committee and his late, great friend Bob Savory had been chairman for 13 years back in the day.

“There was an emotional tie for me,” said the 55-year-old. “Bob died from Covid, he was my best mate.

“He was no longer chairman but he was still a big part of the club when he died. 

“Bob indoctrinated me into rugby. When the job became available I thought, ‘Go for it’.”

Coles is originally from the West Midlands and has never played rugby, football was always his number one sport.

“I support West Bromwich Albion,” he said. “I was a season-ticket holder for 20 years.”

Coles moved to this part of the world  in 1992 – he works in IT – but was not a complete rugby novice when he came to Gloucestershire because he lived just outside Bridgend for five years when he was growing up.

“I used to go along to the Brewery Field and watch Bridgend play,” he said.

That was in the days when Welsh club rugby was very strong and it clearly left an impression on Coles.

“I’ve always been a watcher of sport rather than a participant and that’s because I’m not very good,” said Coles, who lives with his wife Jo in Barnwood.

“The only sport I’ve ever been quite decent at is golf. My handicap used to be 11 but it’s 21 now.

“When I retire I hope the golf will kick back in.”

For now Coles’ sporting focus is very much on his role at Chosen Hill.

He is looking to build on the good work of Savory, Phil King, Dan Yeates and Ninny Cuthbert, who have all held the position of chairman in recent times.

“It’s evolution, not revolution,” said Coles who took over in August when Cuthbert stepped down after two years in the job.

“The previous chairmen have laid great foundations.”

Chosen Hill had a difficult season last time out, one that ended in relegation from Regional 2 Severn.

They have won one and lost two in Counties 1 Western North in the new campaign and Coles admitted: “I think this season is a bit of a re-set.”

The highly-regarded Rich Planchant remains as head coach and Coles continued: “If things go well this season, then brilliant. 

“Rich will want to go back up this season but definitely the aim is to go back up next season.

“Rich manages the rugby side of things and we have a good relationship.

“He used to play for the club and cares about the club. He’s a really, really good bloke, he works tirelessly for Chosen Hill.”

And the future certainly looks bright because Coles said there are a good number of juniors coming through into the club’s two adult teams.

Former 1st XV player Rich Mellor has been chairman of the junior section for the past year and he works closely with Coles.

Mellor is also the club’s vice-chairman and Coles added: “The junior section is absolutely thriving, we’ve got six or seven teams from under-11s through to Colts.”

Some of those teams are coached by well-known former players – Marc Riddel looks after the Colts while Darren Rennebach is in charge of the under-15s. 

“We want the juniors to bond with the club,” added Coles. “We don’t pay our players, so when they get to senior level we want them to have Chosen Hill running through their veins.”

And there’s certainly plenty of rugby on offer at the club at adult level. But while Chosen Hill’s flagship team play at a decent level, Coles says he wants the 2nd XV to play at a higher standard. 

They compete in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North and Coles said: “We want them to be more competitive, we want the gap between the two teams to be smaller.

A healthy flow of juniors stepping into adult rugby should increase the chances of that happening and one of Coles’ key aims is to make sure that the two sections integrate as much as possible.

He also wants to see the club integrate with the community and make it a place where everyone can go and feel welcome.

“The James Hopkins Trust had their summer fete at the club which has led to us being able to host a firework display for the village,” Coles said.

“We host parties and have even had a wedding reception recently. We want the community to feel part of the rugby community as well.”

And that extends to the players too. He wants the players to feel that they are valued by the club but he also wants the players to be part of the club off the pitch as well as on it.

“I want to engage with members, I want them to appreciate the club that they’ve got,” explained Coles.

There’s clearly plenty of challenges for Coles in the months and years to come and he insists he’s in it for the long haul.

“I said when I was elected that if after 12 months people thought I was doing a rubbish job I’d walk away,” he said. 

“But I’m set to retire from work in four or five years and after that I’ll have even more time to give the job.”

Chosen Hill travel to bottom-of-the-table Bridgwater & Albion for a Counties 1 Western North clash on Saturday.