President’s Message 2026/27
Richard Maybury
It is a tremendous honour and privilege to take on the role of President in Bective Rangers. Having been a member for over 20 years, playing first team rugby, and having held a few positions across the club, from Minis and Youths Co-Ordinator through to coaching the U20’s, I feel a deep connection to Bective and to the people who make this club what it is.
Looking back on last season, there is plenty to be proud of. Having watched our First XV come so close to another trophy, I am filled with great hope and excitement for what the new season can bring. I would like to wish our new Captain, Chris Hennessy, and the coaching staff Ben Manion, Peter O’Donnell, Rory O’Loughlin and all the back-room staff with our newly equipped bright shiny kit van, every success for the season ahead. I extend those best wishes to all our captains, coaches, players and teams throughout the club. From Minis and Youths right up to our U20’s and all our Junior teams, we saw several teams reach finals and enjoy some fantastic successes last season. The quality of rugby being played across the club is a real source of pride.
There is a wonderful wave of positivity around Bective at present, and that extends well beyond the playing fields. We have a superb Executive Committee in place, led by our Chairman, Steve McGettigan, which is driving the club forward with real energy and ambition.
I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work of our outgoing President, Jimmy White. In particular, his work on the Club Strategy and the development of the “One Club Policy” has helped lay important foundations for the future. Jimmy has represented Bective with great distinction throughout his term, and I would like to thank him sincerely for his commitment and service to the club.
I am also very fortunate to have the continued support of both Jimmy and our Senior Vice President, Paul Hatton. Paul and I played together for many years, and I have seen first-hand the commitment he has shown to Bective throughout his time at the club. As a former first-team player of many years and through the tremendous work he has done with our Mini section, Paul has made a significant contribution both on and off the pitch.
I will continue throughout my year to drive the “One Club Strategy” forward and, with the support of Jimmy, Paul and the wider Executive Committee, encourage all cohorts within the club to embrace, adopt and nurture this policy further. It is essential that we continue to build a strong, united Bective, with everyone working together towards the same goal and ensuring that the club has a sustainable and successful future.
Bective is also a club that makes people feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door, and I would particularly like to acknowledge Mark and Sharon for the warm welcome they give to everyone who comes into the bar. That sense of community is at the heart of what makes this club so special.
As we head into the new season, I would encourage all our coaches and captains to get to know one another, to communicate and, most importantly, to support each other. The “One Club Policy” is about ensuring that we operate as one club, celebrating each other’s successes and helping each other through the challenges that every season brings. There is enormous strength in Bective when we all pull in the same direction.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible volunteers who give their time, energy and expertise to the club. I want to thank every one of you for the work you do, often behind the scenes, to make Bective the great club that it is. For anyone considering getting involved, I would strongly encourage you to take the plunge. There is no shortage of opportunities to contribute, make new friends and become part of what is an unbelievable community.
It is also important that we remember those stalwarts of the club whom we sadly lost over the past season. Their passion, dedication and commitment to Bective will never be forgotten. They played their part in building the club we have today, and their legacy will continue through the generations who follow. They will all be missed but I would like to give particular mentions to Sean Barrett, Gerry Quinn and Jerry Culleton, who all played big parts in my journey in Bective.
We are fortunate to have great neighbours and partners within our wider community, and I would like to wish Old Wesley, the Leinster Branch and Bective Tennis every success for the season ahead. To everyone who visits Bective throughout the year, I hope you enjoy your time with us and experience the warmth and hospitality that our club is known for.
And, of course, I hope the rugby is played in the right spirit. Let’s respect our referees and assistant referees, recognise the difficult job they do, and remember that they are an essential part of our game. Above all, I hope every player who plays with us or against us plays competitively and leaves the pitch safely.
To all our members, the club is in a hugely positive position. The rugby being played is of a superb quality right across the all the teams, from Minis and Youths and up to our U20’s. Our junior teams are flying, and our senior teams are in excellent shape following some exciting summer recruitment with Ben Kealy at the helm.
So, this season, let’s get out and support all the teams in our club. Let’s get behind our players, coaches and captains, and let’s support the fantastic functions and events that take place throughout the year.
Because let’s be frank, I’m still yet to meet anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a day or night out in Bective!
I look forward to seeing you all around the club throughout the season. Let’s make it another great one for Bective.
Up Bective!
Richard Maybury
President, Bective Rangers 2026/27
Coach’s Message - Ben Manion
The road will be difficult. Every opponent will raise their game against us. There will be setbacks. What matters is how we respond — with consistency, composure, and the determination to keep climbing.
One of our greatest strengths is the support we receive from those around the club. Our supporters play an enormous role in creating the environment in which this team can perform. Your encouragement from the sidelines, your commitment to travelling to matches and your belief in the players make a real difference.
We want you to come on this journey with us.
The squad is hungry. Competition for places is fierce. Preparation has been thorough. The determination is real.
When this season ends, we want to celebrate together — not just a strong campaign, but a league title and promotion for our club.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Ben Manion
The new season arrives with genuine excitement and purpose. Last season tested us — the mid-season structural shift was disruptive, yet losing the final in Clonmel by the narrowest margin revealed the quality, commitment and character of this group. That near-miss stung, but it has sharpened our hunger. We're back in the AIL, and we're coming back stronger.
Over the summer, we've rebuilt deliberately. Our new signings bring proven quality and fresh perspective, but more importantly, they share the values and culture we're committed to building. Combined with our existing core, we have a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Ambition isn't enough. Standards win titles.
We know what it takes. Every week — in training, on match day, in how we carry ourselves — we must set and maintain the standards that separate the winners from the rest. Our goal is unambiguous: Win the league. Earn promotion.
Captain’s Message 2026/27- Chris Hennessy
It is a great privilege to be asked to captain Bective Rangers for the upcoming 26/27 season. Bective is a club that means a lot to so many people, and it’s an honour to be asked to lead our firsts team. From the coaches and back room staff, to Mark and Sharon behind the bar, and many, many more, the effort that goes into making this club what it is, is truly special.
Looking forward to this season, our Minis continue to go from strength to strength, as do our Under 20s who had a strong year last year. I have no doubt we will see a lot more players representing the first team over the next few years who have come through this pathway, and that is a testament to all those who have put in the hard work behind the scenes over the last few years. Our J1 team is consistently strong and with returning Captain David Kealy, they are in a great place coming into this season. Our thirds and fourths had tough finishes to their respective campaigns and will be looking to right those wrongs this year, all while ensuring there's plenty of craic along the way.
At first team level, we’re lucky to have a great group of coaches returning from last year: Ben, Pete, Rory, Titapu (Ti) and Sean (Shrek). Physios Ross and Roisin also return, both went above and beyond last year and we are delighted to have them back. Keep an eye out for our devoted manager Manuel and kit man Rats who will be travelling around in the club’s brand new kit van this year! The work they do is essential and they are crucial to the team. The main man Ben Kealy has been non-stop behind the scenes since last season ended and we would be lost without him. I’d like to thank the Executive for their continued support, and our outgoing President Jimmy White for his service to the club. To our incoming President, Richie Maybury, I wish you all the best for the season ahead.
For the first team, last year brought plenty of learnings as the club returned to the AIL. We maintained our strong home record but had some tough days as we adjusted to the journeys outside of Leinster territory (a novel experience for a few!!). The season ultimately ended in disappointment, losing to Clonmel in a tight final. Despite that loss, we take real positives into this campaign, chief among them the belief that we belong at senior level and can compete with the best.
This season brings a new challenge as we enter a new league, 2B South and, with that, there is an element of the unknown. That said, there are plenty of familiar teams from last year, and we know the standard and competitiveness required. There are some serious battles ahead but those are the days we will look back on in years to come.
To those in the stands at home and on the road, your support means the world to us. Watching Bective play can be a rollercoaster and sometimes hearts can be put through the wringer along the way, but the support never wavers and as players we don’t say thank you enough for that.
On that note, I’d like to give a special shout out to my family who were ever present last year and have been since I picked up the ball, they are as excited for this season as I am.
If you’re thinking about heading down to Donnybrook for a game, you won’t regret it. You will see a tight-knit group giving everything they have on the pitch and will be met with a pint and a smile from Mark and Sharon in the clubhouse after the game.
We have a great opportunity ahead of us, a strong group returning joined by a number of new faces in the squad. Our outgoing Captain, Matthew Gilsenan leaves big boots to fill but thankfully between Gilso and a number of senior players, there are plenty of wise heads to lean on.
I am extremely excited for what lies ahead and I look forward to representing Bective Rangers as Captain. I wish all our teams all the best for next season’s games. Let’s get behind each other, embrace the challenge and give everything we have to make this a season to remember.
All the best
Chris Hennessy
