Rugby club to play match in Bob’s honour
A MEMORIAL match is to be played in honour of a sporting legend who set up the first mini rugby sessions in the UK in Weston-super-Mare.
Bob Hedges, who passed away in July, was an honorary life member of Weston Rugby Club.
Under his leadership, Weston was the first club in the country to set up mini-rugby.
With no guidance or even a set of rules, Bob set about creating an opportunity for youngsters to participate in a game that was his great passion.
He coached, arranged matches, refereed and got the whole enterprise off to a successful start.
As a result, for over 50 years, generations of Weston’s boys and girls, from the age of five up until the age at which they can play senior club rugby, have been introduced to playing the game.
Bob served the club for many years on the management committee, particularly as chairman of rugby and chairman of selectors.
He also made numerous and regular contributions through
match reports published across regional newspapers.
A spokesman for Weston-superMare Rugby Club said: “Bob’s contribution to the club’s life included meticulous and detailed records of everyone who pulled on a Weston shirt in any senior side.
“Any player requesting a copy of their playing record would, within a few days, get a letter typed by Bob detailing when they made their debut, how many games they had played, and the points they had scored.
“His gift to the club and his enduring legacy sets his contribution at a stellar level.”
In his later years, Bob attended every first-team home game and for many years manned the microphone and made all the announcements about sponsors and scorers during games.
He also attended most first-team away fixtures until his failing health prohibited it.
Weston-super-Mare Rugby Club will be hosting the Bob Hedges Memorial Match this evening, Friday, September 17, when Weston Athletic play Cheddar RFC, kick-off 7.15pm.