NEW 1ST XV CAPTAIN - DYLAN JOWETT

We are thrilled to announce that Dylan Jowett been voted in as the new 1st XV captain for the coming 23/24 season.

This is an exciting one for Moderns as Dylan is
• The first son to become a 1st XV captain of a former 1st XV captain.
• The youngest 1st XV captain in the clubs history.
• First captain to come up through the club from juniors to colts to seniors.

Here’s what he had to say and a bit of rugby history..
“I’ve played rugby from the moment I was old enough to and joined Moderns just shy of 5 years old. I’ve played my way through juniors and colts, being coached by my dad, Ivan Jowett who joined the club in 1986 and captained the 1st XV in 1999 & 2000.
I was 16 when I got into Nottingham Academy and played my first game in Feb 2020 against Cambridge Uni - shortly followed by my first senior game at Moderns alongside my dad for the 2nd XV against Corsairs. 5 games later, I moved up to the 1st XV for a game just before lockdown hit.
First game post pandemic, I scored my first try as a senior and was awarded MOTM. I continued to play at fly half and the team went on to get promoted.
Scoring 196 points in the 22/23 season and becoming captain 24 years after my dad, I’m gassed and really appreciate being voted in and trusted by the team to lead them.”

Dylan already being a great leader before coming captain, gives the club great hope for what he will achieve as captain. We can’t wait to see his name up on the board, right next to his dads.

Oh did we mention Dylan played for the NLD?

NEW 1ST XV VICE CAPTAIN - SAM BURKEY

It’s with immense pleasure to announce that Sam Burkey is our newly voted in 1st XV Vice Captain for the coming 23/24 season.

Sam has been an asset to Moderns for as long as he’s been a part of the club.. a long time. A former 1st XV captain and arguably one of the hardest working players on the pitch, returning last season and playing nearly 80 minutes every appearance.

Here’s a bit about Sam’s rugby history and what he had to say about becoming vice:
“I started playing rugby aged 8 for Nottingham, and continued through their age groups and academy until I was 20 and playing for their 2nd XV. I represented Nottinghamshire and NLD through various age groups. My time with Nottingham ended when I broke my leg playing for Nottingham Trent 1ST XV.

After spending two seasons playing for Derby, I came to Moderns in 2010. I captained the club through the 2015/16 and 16/17 seasons before leaving to go travelling.
I rejoined the club last year, on the insistence of my wife who was fed up of me moaning about being terrible at golf. So it is a great honour to be voted in as vice-captain and I hope I can pass some knowledge and experience on to the younger members of the team.”

Already someone who is so respected and looked up to, we can’t wait to see what’s in store this season for Sam.

NEW 2ND XV CAPTAIN: MORGAN BROWN

We are delighted to announce that Morgan Brown has been voted in as the new 2nd XV captain for the coming 23/24 season.

Here’s a bit of rugby background on Morgan and what he had to say about becoming captain!

“I joined Moderns Rugby Club in 2005 as part of the newly inaugurated junior section – in fact I was present at the very first training session, 6 lads 3 balls, 3 dads (mine included) and very little clue as to what I was getting into. I then played through each of the year groups until Colts before moving into senior rugby.
The two's had a good season last year and I'm hoping we can build on those performances and get better and better this season.
I am proud that the players in the squad feel I have the ability to be their Captain and I intend to fulfil that role to the best of my ability. I will obviously work closely with the coaches and management of the two's as well as depend on the leadership qualities of many of the players who turn out for us to ensure a successful season.
Our pre-season training has gone well and with two victories in our warm up matches things seem to be off to a positive start. I'm excited to get going in our league this season.”

Needless to say, Morgan has been a stand out character at Moderns for a very long time and we can’t wait to see the progress made this season with Morgan leading our 2nd XV!

NEW 2ND XV VICE CAPTAIN: JEREMY HOUSDEN

Last but not least, the final exciting change this season is that Jeremy Housden has been voted in as our new 2nd XV vice captain!

Jez joined Moderns in 2021, after moving to Nottingham to do his PGCE and has been a great addition on the pitch in appearances for both the 1st and 2nd teams.

Here's a bit about his rugby background and what he had to say about becoming Vice:
"I started playing rugby at school before joining a club and have excelled and continued to develop ever since, 14 years ago. I continued to play when I joined Aberystwyth, for both the first team and second team.
When I moved to Nottingham, I had been committed to travelling back home to play for Eccleshall up until covid hit and by chance saw Nottingham Moderns Rugby club on the tram line when going to Clifton Campus. After going down, I soon realised it was the same standard of rugby I was used to playing, an inviting great group of lads who thoroughly enjoy both rugby and the social side of being part of a club.
To be voted in as Vice Captain is a great honour and I look forward to a new challenge in both helping to lead the 2nd XV as well as developing both myself and the team as best I can."

Having already made an impact in pre season, we’re sure Jez is going to be a great lead and inspiration to the squad this season!