Nottingham clergyman new Rugby Club Chaplain

A Nottingham clergyman with a passion for rugby is to be the new chaplain to Nottingham Rugby Club from 1st July 2011.

The Reverend Henry Curran (33), who is Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s, Wollaton Park, in Nottingham, said he is looking forward to the new role, which he will do alongside his parish work.

Henry, studied theology at the University of Nottingham from 1997 to 2000, where he met his wife Kate. He has also been working part time as a chaplain at the University for the past few years.

He said: “I was actually born in Twickenham, the home of English Rugby, but my father wasn’t particularly interested in rugby and the first game I watched was when my grandfather, a Bath season-ticket holder, took me to watch them play. 

“The last time I actually played rugby was while training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, where we re-enacted the Reformation on the rugby pitch with the various theological colleges playing each other. 

“One of our rivals wonderfully provided us with glasses of sherry at half time rather than the more traditional orange segments – it led to some braver than usual tackling.”

Henry’s hobbies are sailing, hill walking, and of course watching Nottingham Rugby Club play, where both he and Kate have season tickets.

Henry said: “As a supporter of the club I’m keen to offer some support to the players that is a little different from what they get from the coaching team.  And of course I’m hoping that my prayers will help the club move towards the premiership!”

Green and Whites Director of Rugby Delaney welcomed the new chaplain, who replaces the popular Revd Dr Howard Worsley.

He said: “Having a club chaplain is a very important part of the club, particularly in terms of offering an invigorating perspective for the well being of players.

“Howard was a key member of the rugby department and we’re very much looking forward to Henry continuing that good work.”