31/10/2025
❤️💚
As my first year as Chairman comes to a close, I feel incredibly fortunate to have inherited the role at a time when the club was already in such a strong and positive position, both on and off the field. The foundations laid by those before me have enabled us to push forward, grow, and continue setting the standard for community rugby league in Oldham and beyond.
First and foremost, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our volunteers, coaches, and supporters. Week in, week out, you give your time, energy, and passion to this club. To everyone on the sidelines, in the kitchen, behind the bar, and in the background making everything run smoothly, without you, there is no Waterhead.
A special mention must go to Keith Brennan and Jon Perks, whose hard work and dedication over the past decade have been instrumental in the rise of our NCL side to its current position. Their long-term commitment has laid the foundation for success at the very highest level of the community game. Alongside them, Ian Spence and Lee Sculthorpe have done a fantastic job leading our NWML team, who in their maiden season in Division One reached the play-off semi-final and have been vital in providing the squad depth that’s allowed our NCL side to compete week in, week out.
Our NCL side made club history this year by reaching the playoffs in their maiden season in the Premier Division, a phenomenal achievement that underlines the hard work of everyone involved. The last-minute Challenge Cup victory in Round 1 will live long in my memory, embodying everything that makes this club special: resilience, belief, and togetherness.
Recognition also goes to Kegan Brennan, nominated for NCL Premiership Player of the Year, and to our attack-minded squad, who produced four of the top six try scorers in the league, a testament to the entertaining, expansive brand of rugby that’s been enjoyed by our supporters all season.
Both Open Age teams capped off outstanding campaigns by winning their respective local Cup competitions, achieving the double over local rivals St. Annes, a feat matched by our U16s, proving that the future really is bright for our Open Age section.
Elsewhere, our U13s and U14s have both reached their league playoff finals, to be played this Sunday at Chorley Panthers. I wish them all the very best in bringing more silverware home to Peach Road.
Across the junior section, we now have the highest number of registered players on record, and for the first time in memory, we have multiple teams in certain age groups. Our Rugby School has also continued to go from strength to strength, now boasting over 56 Little Warriors aged between 2 and 6, giving our youngest members the perfect start to their rugby journey and showing that the club’s future is being built from the very bottom up.
It’s also been a breakthrough year for our girls and women’s rugby, with successful seasons for our U13s and U14s, and the launch of women’s sessions attracting over 30 ladies, seven of whom have gone on to train with the Oldham Roughyeds ladies setup, an incredible step forward for female participation at our club.
Meanwhile, off the field, our social media presence has grown significantly, with followers up over 200%, content interactions up 700%, and our posts reaching 670,000 people, generating 2.2 million views. This growth, a vital point within our strategic plans, shows the power of our community and how the Waterhead name continues to spread far and wide.
We head into next season with a strong leadership team determined to build on this year’s success. Our focus now is on leveling up our coaches and enhancing the playing experience across all age groups, ensuring that every boy and girl who wants to push on within the sport, has the opportunity and support to do so. Alongside this, we’re continuing to develop our long-term plans to upgrade our facilities, creating an environment that truly matches.
Waterhead has always been more than just a rugby club, it’s a family and a community that provides opportunities for everyone to thrive. That spirit has only been strengthened by our growing multi-sport offering, with Dolphins Netball and Waterhead AFC now firmly part of the wider Waterhead family. Together, we’re continuing to develop, collaborate, and push forward, creating even more pathways for people of all ages and abilities to be part of something special.
It’s been a privilege to serve as your Chairman this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together. Thank you all for playing your part in making 2025 a year to remember. Here’s to going even bigger and better in 2026.
One Club. One Community. One Future.
Jack Burns
Chairman, Waterhead ARLFC
