David Gee - Recognition & Retirement

The 2024 annual meeting of the South West Competitions Committee marked the retirement of Mike Gee, the region’s Co-ordinating Secretary for the last 29 years. His colleagues met in Taunton to look back at his involvement with the competition. He first joined the committee in 1987 when the Courage Clubs Championship began. Eight years later he succeeded Jack Wooldridge as Co-Ordinating Secretary - putting him in charge of the day to day running of the South West.

As part of his role he has represented the region’s interests at national level on RFU Committees and been on the phone to offer advice and encouragement to his fellow league secretaries. At times of bad weather he has worked late into the evening on a Saturday to re-arrange up to 170 games so clubs were aware of the new date as soon as possible.

Colleagues spoke fondly of his time at the helm and recounted stories from the last 37 years. His contribution to the game was also acknowledged by RFU CEO Bill Sweeney in a specially recorded video message. 

Mike, who was awarded the BEM for services to rugby in 2015, has handed over the reigns to Adrian Siddorn from Gloucestershire but will remain available to advise when required.