By Isle of Wight Observer
Isle of Wight RFC held its latest centenary celebration at the Lakeside Hotel in Wootton, with its 100th anniversary ball.
Expertly organised over more than two years by a sub-committee led by Kaya Simpson, the evening was a celebration of the club’s history, with players and supporters past and present representing various eras.
After president, Dave Metcalfe, welcomed those present, two of the club’s foremost volunteers in the last 20 years, Ollie Boulter and Kieran Leahy, were conferred with Honorary Life Membership of the club. They join Derek ‘Fritze’ Ryall, who was given the same award at a function earlier in the year.
Guest speaker was Rob Henderson, formerly of London Irish, Wasps, Munster and Ireland, who also represented the British and Irish Lions and was ‘man of the series’ in their 2001 tour of Australia. He entertained guests with a highly amusing and well received speech, and also officiated at the club’s charity auction, which raised in excess of £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association IW.