TGt Meets... David 'Tricky' Trick

We caught up with Bath and England rugby legend turned Bath Rugby Club President and fundraiser for Bath Rugby Foundation David Trick to talk about his role at BRF, career highlights and his favourite places around the city.

Where is home and why?
I live in Laverton, about 7 miles from Bath. Why? Is far more interesting. Until my last year at school I don’t think I’d ever heard of Bath, I’d certainly never been to the city. However, someone from Bath Rugby had secretly been watching me play rugby at Bryanston School in Dorset and I was invited to play for the club during my final year.

I played a dozen or so matches and it then seemed like a ‘no brainer,’ when I left school I moved to Bath and attended Bath University. Apart from the obligatory couple of years in London, I’ve been in and around Bath ever since.

Describe your job role in one sentence…
I actually have a couple of jobs, however I’m most proud of being a fundraiser for Bath Rugby Foundation, the charitable arm of Bath Rugby.

What’s the most enjoyable part of your job at Bath Rugby Foundation?
You obviously meant to say the two most enjoyable parts of my job. On the fundraising side, I tend to be more involved in the event based challenges. The most enjoyable part is bringing individuals together and preparing them to move outside of their own comfort zones. We currently have 80 people who’ll be taking part in a 400km cycle ride across Normandy over 3 days in October. There are individuals who haven’t ridden a bike since childhood alongside others who have done no notable physical activity in years. Every week I see their improvement which if nothing else gives me a sense of achievement!

Secondly, I attend the delivery of some of the Foundation programs and witness firsthand the work being done and the reaction of the participants. Regardless of whether it’s classroom based or out on the playing fields, one of the best feelings is to witness children with various disadvantages, (social, physical or mental) not only enjoying themselves but learning and gaining from the experience. It’s truly humbling and on a selfish front, rewarding.

And the most challenging?
The most challenging is to convert potential participants in our events to actual participants. We offer cycling, running, walking, ‘superstars,’ challenges to name but a few. Having been involved for several years I know the ‘journey’ each individual is likely to experience and although there is some ‘pain’ along the way, the personal benefits far outweigh the discomfort. Whilst pain from physical exercise disappears in moments, the benefit last (potentially) a lifetime.

How would your team describe you?
Smiley, easy going, persuasive and always appear to be deaf when I hear the word ‘no’!

What’s your top tip for Business owners/leaders?
Create a team environment. As Aristotle said, ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ No matter how great you believe your leadership is, it’ll only improve if you genuinely involve others. People tend to be far more passionate when they’ve provided input.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far (on or off the pitch)?
On the pitch I have a vivid memory of my international debut (19 March 1983 - Lansdowne Road, Dublin) and also walking off the pitch at Twickenham after winning the National Knockout Cup for the third successive year.

Off the pitch would be the birth of my two children although that’s not really ‘my career.’ A memorable occasion & highlight would be the night 60 of us finished a 450 mile cycle from the south coast of Ireland to the north. Shared pain and collective achievement is an experience that’s hard to beat.

How do you like to spend your time off?
Cycling has become my most enjoyable pastime, I’m fortunate my wife Jill has also become a keen cyclist, (we’re both keen but definitely social cyclists, who just enjoy being out and about). I also love visiting places I’ve not been to before, preferably overseas.

Where’s your favourite places to eat, drink and shop in Bath?
My wife will laugh if she reads this question. I rarely eat out in Bath, very rarely have a drink in Bath and as for shopping…surely the sole reason for the internet is so I don’t ever need to go into a shop again!

I’ll have a go.

My favourite restaurant for many years has been Woods in Alfred Street. David Price opened the restaurant in 1979, the year I moved to Bath and still owns and runs it together with other members of his family. I’ve always enjoyed the food and far more importantly the atmosphere & ambience of the place. Also, back in the day David used to join us at the end of a meal and invariably bring a bottle of port with him!!

I’ve always been a fan of The Pulteney Arms in Daniel Street. I was a very ‘punctual regular’ during my playing days and still call in occasionally. Definitively a great ‘match-day’ pub.

As for favourite shop… I think the Southgate development in Bath is spectacular compared to what it replaced. I’m just not a shopper, so I genuinely don’t have a favourite or indeed least favourite shop!

Describe Bath in three words...
Blue / Black / White (only joking)

Or

Progressive / Cultural / Vibrant

Or

A fantastic destination.