Try Tag Rugby has recognised four long-serving employees for their outstanding commitment and contribution to the organisation, celebrating over a decade of service from Bobby Domville, David Shipley, Steve Devonshire and Gary Jeffery.

The four were recognised during Try Tag Rugby’s National Conference, held at Weetwood Hall in Leeds on 10th October, where colleagues and franchisees celebrated their achievements and thanked them for their dedication over the past decade.

Over the past decade, Try Tag Rugby has grown significantly, helping more people experience the fun, friendships and health benefits of playing Tag Rugby.

In 2015, around the time the four employees joined, approximately 6,000 people were playing weekly across 14 locations during the peak season. By 2026, this had grown to almost 12,000 weekly players across 36 locations, stretching from Scotland to the South Coast.

Each of the four has played an important role in supporting this growth, taking on new responsibilities, supporting colleagues and franchisees, and helping Try Tag Rugby make a positive difference to more people’s lives.

A decade of dedication and contribution

Bobby Domville has played a key role in the operational delivery and development of Try Tag Rugby’s leagues. Having previously worked in London operations, including recruiting, training and supporting staff, Bobby went on to become Regional Manager for West Yorkshire, Manchester and Wigan. His commitment to providing a great experience for players and building strong local communities has been central to his contribution.

David Shipley has held a wide range of roles across the organisation, spanning league operations, customer service, refereeing, regional management, governance and safeguarding. Now working as Franchising Manager, David draws on this extensive experience to support franchise owners, help establish new regions and strengthen the wider network.

Steve Devonshire has been instrumental in shaping Try Tag Rugby’s branding and visual identity, with an association stretching back to the design of the organisation’s first website. His work has covered merchandise, graphic design, marketing, websites and event branding, helping develop how Try Tag Rugby looks and presents itself across the UK. His contribution also extends to Great Britain Tag Rugby, where he leads on branding, social media and merchandise, supporting the national teams on the international stage.

Gary Jeffery has made a significant contribution to the systems, technology and processes that support the organisation’s operations. His wide-ranging responsibilities have included IT, website management, league systems, rules and tournament support. Much of Gary’s work takes place behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in supporting colleagues, franchisees and the wider network.

Recognising a special milestone

To mark the occasion, each employee received a specially commissioned framed award, produced by Yorks Framing, featuring the number 10 creatively formed using a Try Tag Rugby tag and ball.

The awards were a small token of appreciation for the dedication, experience and commitment that all four have brought to the organisation over the years.

As Try Tag Rugby continues to grow, the knowledge and experience of long-serving colleagues like Bobby, David, Steve and Gary remain invaluable in supporting the organisation, its franchise network and the communities it serves.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Bobby, David, Steve and Gary for everything they have contributed to Try Tag Rugby over the past decade. We look forward to many more years of working together!