The passing of Steve Worrall MBE

Somerset Rugby  is shocked and saddened to report the passing of the Weston-super-Mare RFC’s Head Coach, Steve (Barrel) Worrall MBE, on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Steve was Weston-super-Mare’s head coach between July 2011 and October 2014 before spending ten years with Chew Valley RFC, initially as Assistant Coach and then becoming Head Coach.

But Steve returned to Weston-super-Mare in mid-November 2024, where his drive and enthusiasm for the game were rewarded with two victories before the Festive break.

He spent several years as a coach at North Walsham RFC and Peterborough RUFC and as a player, head coach, and assistant director of Rugby with the Royal Air Force Rugby Union.

He captained the Combined Services against the All Blacks in November 1993, and Steve, playing at scrum-half, claimed the Services only points with a penalty from near half-way.

Steve’s love of sport was not restricted to Rugby. He joined Uphill Castle in 2000 and opened the batting for the 2nds for many years. After retiring from league cricket, Steve went on to play for the Uphill Strugglers and the Uphill Castle Golf Society.

Having served over 35 years in the Royal Air Force and attaining the rank of Warrant Officer, Steve decided to leave the Service in January 2013. He started a new job within the Military Aviation Authority as a Civil Servant based at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol.

In January 2014, Steve moved into the Explosives Safety Licensing Team Manager position within the Defence Ordnance Safety Group, still as a civil servant within the MoD, before returning to the aerospace industry as a manager within Combat Air’s Crew Escape Systems Team.

Steve was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2011.

After discussions with Steve’s wife, Jackie, the Weston-super-Mare 1stXV match at Thornbury on Saturday (January 4, 2025), kick-off at 2 pm, and Weston United’s home game against Wellington 2ndXV, kick-off at 2.30 pm, will proceed as planned.

There will be a minute’s silence before both games start, and the Weston players will wear black armbands.

Steve was widely respected and liked in many circles, not just in rugby, and his passing will leave a significant gap in those communities.

Somerset Rugby offers sincere condolences to Steve’s family and Weston-super-Mare RFC during this difficult time.

The funeral arrangements will be posted in due course.