Veteran Bassett Centre Tim Gallimore has announced his playing retirement at the age of 42.
Gallimore first played rugby for Royal Wootton Bassett in 1993 as a Colt and made his senior debut in 1994. He went on to captain the club for two seasons following the club’s move to Ballards Ash in 2013 with a level of commitment that saw him capped for the Dorset & Wilts Senior XV in 2015.
RWBRFC Director of Rugby, Alan Low, is keen to be the first to thank Tim for his years at the club. “Tim was made Club Captain in my first season at Bassett back in 2013. He has been an absolute pleasure to work with, both on and off the field and I’d personally like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the senior squad.”
“Tim really established the standards which have since become commonplace within the squad. When he decided to step down as captain in 2015 he certainly left the shirt in a better place, which was proved the following season with promotion to SW1.”
Bassett’s current captain Gavin Ougan called Tim an inspiration. “Gally had a massive influence on my senior playing career. He sets a perfect example for how a modern rugby player should conduct themselves. The commitment required to play for the amount of time Tim has cannot be underestimated.”
“You can guarantee Tim will be at every training session or in the gym every day after work. Tim’s the man I go to if I need any advice in the gym and I look forward to seeing what other fitness challenges he has in store for us all in the future.”
Alan Low agrees. “Tim has a very keen (some would say obsessive) interest in the Strength & Conditioning side of things. When he decided to step down as captain in 2015 he began to take a more active role training our younger players and he has been instrumental in both their development and that of the new gymnasium facilities at the club.”
Tim has been discussing plans for retirement for a while, and now the club’s new Gymnasium complex is underway, he has decided he is ready for a new challenge.
“Tim will be leading the club’s Strength & Conditioning training”, confirmed Low. “We’re really looking forward to see the dedication, energy and excitement Tim has demonstrated as a player put into action as the S&C Lead, allowing him to develop his ideas with the next batch of players coming through the junior section.”
We hope you will join us in thanking Tim for his years in a Bassett shirt and trademark blue scrum hat. We’re sure his influence will continue to have an impact for years to come thanks to his work establishing the new Gymnasium and he will continue to be a huge inspiration for younger members of the club.
