Former Bracknell RFC and RFU president and “stalwart of Berkshire rugby” Jonathan Dance died on Thursday aged 77.
Dance, below, served as Bracknell's president for 36 years until 2020, and oversaw the club's rise from the eighth tier of the RFU pyramid in 1992 to the second tier less than a decade later.
Though the club was unable to stay at that level, Dance ensured the club overcame a financially turbulent period that followed and stabilised at level five where they continue to play today, while nurturing their three other senior men's sides, increasing numbers in a hugely successful minis and juniors section and creating a women's team.
While president of the club he also held a variety of positions in the RFU Council and spent 12 years on the Board of the Union, chaired the RFU South-West Division, and was president of Berkshire Rugby from 1995 to 2015 – a role where he worked closely with Rams chairman Andy Lynch.
Lynch said: “A stalwart of Berkshire Rugby, he was an integral part of the set-up for many, many years. He will be remembered fondly by all his old friends at Rams, and our condolences go out to his wife Mary and wider family.”
Having been a member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup bid committee he was handed the prestigious RFU presidency in the year leading up to England's home tournament.
Dance served on the IRB Council for five years, in which time he was a member of the IRB High Performance and Audit & Risk Panels, and served as citing and judicial officer for both 15s and 7s.
In addition he was chairman of the disciplinary sub committee of the Six Nations, a board member at FIRA (now Rugby Europe) and a director of the former governing body of European club rugby ERC.
Sir Bill Beaumont, former England and Lions captain and chairman of World Rugby, said: “Saddened to hear that Jonathan Dance has passed away. A champion of rugby with great integrity. Served his union and World Rugby diligently.”
