ALTRINCHAM Kersal RFC has celebrated the appointment of Jean Forbes as the club president for the forthcoming season.

Forbes has been a stalwart at the club is looking forward to continuing to support the senior and junior teams at Altrincham Kersal.

Club officials asked her to take up the role in recognition of the hard work she has put in over the years

Jean is looking forward to the Rugby World Cup starting next month and is hoping that this will inspire many more people to take up Rugby Union and join Altrincham Kersal whose first team play rugby at the highest level for amateurs in South Manchester.

She said: "It is obviously highly appropriate that I mention the ladies team, who continue to contribute so much to the club on and off the field.

"I look forward to seeing you in action and trust that you can build on the success of recent years.

"I am also delighted to note the intended formation of an under-13s girls’ team that hopefully will begin to provide a natural feeder system to the senior team and cement ladies rugby at the club into the future."said Jean at her inauguration.

She is particularly excited about the future and commented further on 'The All Blacks' junior set-up.

"Our Mini and Junior section continues to shine and this year is to be ‘re-branded’ as the ‘AK All Blacks’ which hopefully will further encourage an already vibrant section.

"This year it will be jointly chaired by Tim Marston and John Stevenson for the first time – I wish them well as we look to continue the growth of mini and junior rugby at the club."

Jean is pictured with husband Alex, Last year’s president Denis Malalieu and Keith Regan, the club’s newest appointment as Club Steward.