Suzanne, who replaces the outgoing Jonny Ellis who departs after over four years in post, joins the club from Next Generation Health & Fitness Club where she occupied the position of Sales & Membership Manager.

Boasting a CV which covers many years working in the Health & Fitness industry for companies such as Next Generation Health & Fitness, Esporta and Bannatyne Fitness, Suzanne explained today why she was attracted by the opportunity of working for Bristol Rugby

"I'm from a sporting family myself. My Dad played football, my brother played rugby and I played hockey and sprinted for Yorkshire. But my Mum is from Bristol and my brother lives here so I feel I've returned to my roots."

Suzanne Roper

(c) Bristol Rugby

"I've worked in the sports and fitness industry in a sales and marketing capacity for around 12 years now including running my own personal training and sports therapy business but I developed a link with the rugby club when I managed their account at Next Generation Health & Fitness."

"So, I've followed the club and attended all the home games last season and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of my new role. Bristol's Rugby's a great brand, with a proud history and heritage operating in an exciting market to sell and I think I'm the right person to do that."

General Manager Corin Palmer admitted that he was looking forward to Suzanne taking up her role in August:

"We embarked upon a very robust recruitment process and were delighted with the calibre of applicants that we were able to choose from."

"But, at every stage of the process, Suzanne shone through with her drive, passion and will to succeed."

"She possesses masses of sales and marketing experience and, although she hasn't worked in professional rugby before, we felt that the qualities I mention above in addition to her knowledge of the Bristol business community will make her a real asset for the club."