Diss Rugby Club chairman Andy Jermy proud of work achieved ahead of final game in position against Shelford II at Mackenders

Andy Jermy has described his time as Diss chairman as ‘the best thing’ he has done in his life as he prepares for his final match in the position tomorrow.

Earlier in the season, he announced he would be standing down from the role in the club’s upcoming AGM on May 16, where he will be replaced by Stephen Drake.

Jermy, who has been chair of the club for the past six years and volunteered at Diss for the last 15 years, will step down alongside Paul Cochrane – honorary secretary and trustee of the club.

“I have absolutely loved it. It’s probably the best thing I’ve done in my life, I get a tremendous amount of reward from it,” said Jermy.

“There are times where it’s difficult, during that time we had the covid years which had an effect on the club, the players and the membership.

“But overall, when I reflect back on that time, I would volunteer to do the same again and I would suggest anyone, if you’ve got time to give to your local club, definitely do it.

“I’m just taking a break from it for now, but if the club rang me tomorrow and said ‘would you volunteer to do this particular role?’ I’d be quite happy to help out.

When asked what his highlight of his time as chair of club has been, Jermy said the growth and development of the Girls and Ladies’ sections particularly stands out.

He said: “Six years ago, they started with just a handful of girls and a couple of coaches, and now they’ve got a really strong set-up and they’ve just done so tremendously well.

“Witnessing and helping that where I can has been great to see.

“I think surviving the covid period was also quite an achievement to be honest. There’s a lot of clubs that suffered worse than we did and they’re still suffering from it, as are we.

“For me personally, there are five or six youngsters in the first team that I coached since they were six years old. To see them now in the senior sides is tremendous. It’s what it’s all about.”

Diss will finish eighth in the Counties 1 Eastern Counties in Jermy’s final season at the club, and he hopes they will be able to overcome second-placed Shelford II at home tomorrow (3pm) in his their final match of the campaign.

While the Mackenders outfit have only accumulated seven wins from their 21 matches this season, Jermy has been pleased to see the development of youth players in the side and believes his successors will look to keep hold of the young talent in the club’s ranks.

“They are making pretty robust plans as to what the future of the club should be,” he said.

“I know they want to build on the experience that’s available at the club because they’ve spotted there are lots of youngsters.

“And also, they have clearly stated that one of their aims going forward it to make sure the players who are there, remain there. I think their ambitions are higher than I had for the side this year.

“I don’t think it’s healthy that someone continues on and on and on. You need fresh ideas and a fresh impetus and I know Stephen and the others who are going to go on to run the club will provide that.

“I really wish them well and I know they will do a very good job.”