Jill Douglas Takes the Helm as President of Cheltenham Tigers RFC
In an exciting development for Cheltenham Tigers RFC, Jill Douglas MBE has been appointed as the new overall president of the club. She takes over from Dave Townsend OBE, who has served the club with dedication over the years. Jill has been associated with the club since 2016 as the president of its highly successful ladies’ section.
Expressing her gratitude and enthusiasm for the new role, Jill said, “It’s a huge honor to take over from Dave Townsend, who has been a true servant to the club and is a real character. I’m delighted to take on the role, and it was lovely to be asked.”
Originally from Scotland, Jill has had close ties with Cheltenham Tigers since she moved to the area in 2006. A well-known television sports presenter and a passionate rugby fan, she brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new position.
Speaking about the club, Jill stated, “It’s a great club with a lot of good people who are very friendly. They have excellent facilities and are very inclusive. Moving forward, we’re also hoping to start wheelchair rugby, which is an exciting prospect.”
Jill’s connection to rugby runs deep, and she has been a dedicated supporter of the sport for as long as she can remember. Hailing from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, rugby has always been an integral part of her life. She regularly attended matches at Mansfield Park from an early age and developed a deep passion and understanding of the game.
Her involvement in rugby extended to television in the early 1990s when she started making a name for herself. Eventually, she was asked to present BBC Scotland’s rugby coverage on Rugby Special, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the rugby broadcasting world.
As Jill takes on the role of president, she will also be part of the ITV team covering the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup. While she eagerly anticipates the event, her responsibilities will take her away from Cheltenham’s season for the first couple of months. However, she’ll stay updated on everything happening at Newlands and hopes that the ladies’ teams can continue to build on their success, especially after their cup double at Twickenham last season.
Reflecting on the extraordinary success of the women’s teams, Jill expressed, “The women’s game has just exploded, and I’m looking forward to seeing the club continue to flourish and giving people the opportunity to become involved in the game.”
As Jill Douglas MBE steps into her new role as the president of Cheltenham Tigers RFC, her passion, experience, and dedication to rugby are sure to bring new energy and opportunities to the club. With her at the helm, Cheltenham Tigers can look forward to an exciting future.
