Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 71

Okehampton Ross Campbell is an ex-player and long-standing club sponsor. He told Rugby Club Magazine, “I started playing at aged 17 before stopping in my mid-twenties due to family and work. Okehampton is a great local club growing their own talent and I wish everyone involved all the best for the future.” Residential Sales | Residential Lettings Auction |Commercial Stevens Estate specialise in residential sales and lettings, and also commercial properties. Our experienced team can advise you on just about everything from decor, rental and sale legalities to commercial acquisitions, you ask - we have it covered! “ Professional, competent and knowledgeable and all times. I have dealt with many estate agents and would rate Stevens’ the best. “ T: 01837 53300 W: www.stevensestateagents.com E: [email protected] A: 15 Charter Place, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1HN David Barkwell been club chairman for over fifteen years. He recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “I played from Colts till my early 40s and could have continued but didn’t want to arrive at a place where I couldn’t continue playing so made a decision and stuck by it. I missed the recent Launceston victory as one of my other great loves out with rugby is brass bands so we were over at Skegness attending an event. I have played in many great Okehampton sides but reckon this current side and the way they move the ball around is the best I have ever known. The club’s success is all down to growing their own through their excellent Junior rugby section and the contribution of Ian Langbridge and his wife. Ian and many club members have invaluable qualities which help the club flourish; directors and players have a real loyalty and steadfastness about them. Winning at all costs and pushing children too far by well-meaning parents can have a negative effect on the children as they approach adulthood and start making their own decisions which can very often mean no more rugby. I see my job as chairman to remain in the back ground and allow the coaches the space to do their jobs. Certainly it is essential that from colts to senior rugby coaches are in place at clubs who are good man managers and have the ability to encourage players to continue in the sport. I am very driven to ensure that the club is well run and kept financially solvent. We are blessed with a great and varied group of directors, coaches and members and I feel that at this moment in time Okehampton Rugby Club have ‘Cracked It’!” Barkwell Plumbing and Heating is one of the largest plumbing companies in the South West with clients that include most of the major developers operating in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset. • Plumbing & Heating • Lead Work • Renewables • Groundsource • Airsource • Solar • Biomass Award-winning and fully accredited with over 40 years of top-quality service 01837 650060 www.bjbarkwell.co.uk www.rugbyclubmag.com 71