Matthew and Nick have been secured following what was a brief stand in coaching role at the end of the current season that saw them build a great relationship with the seniors players in such a short time and now they want to carry this on for the up and coming season.
Matthew will join as Head Coach with Nick working closely alongside him. The coaches come from not only a great coaching background but a very successful playing career with both playing in the national leagues and actually going head to head playing for Rosslyn Park v Tynedale many times (I’ll let them tell you the story’s in the bar).
Matthew better known as “Mouse” was a key member of Tynedale’s coaching set, and previously served the club as a long-serving player. He played junior and colts rugby at the club, before breaking into the first XV. A back row, who later moved to hooker, he played 105 games for Tynedale, scoring 19 tries, before his career was curtailed by a shoulder injury.
Nick (known as Huggy to many) is not to be out shone and has had a distinguished career playing at London Welsh before a move to Rosslyn Park where he made over 100 league appearances (and can still be seen in action in a large photo in the middle of their clubhouse!) He has also represented Middlesex at Colts and Senior level before moving into coaching. Initially coaching Rosslyn Park Ladies, Nick then coached Staines Seniors before joining Chiswick RFC where he earned the role of head coach.
Following the appointment Matthew commented “After getting involved last season and getting to know the club and players, Nick and I are extremely excited to be heading up the senior section next season and would like to thank the committee for the opportunity.
The club is going into a new league next season with a very talented group of players and I look forward to seeing what they can achieve. The club produces a large amount of its players from a successful junior section and long may that continue. We have a very passionate group of players here at Ruislip and as coaches we believe there is lots more to come from this young group”
We wish them all the success at Ruislip and after what was a tough season, everyone at Ruislip is looking forward to seeing some great rugby being played and with Mouse and Huggy at the helm, we are sure to see great things on and off the pitch as not only are they great coaches but they are great people to have around the club fully knowing just how a great community club like Ruislip works and this will really help keep our ‘One Club’ feel alive.
Currently plans are being prepared for the up and coming season but we are as all club awaiting to hear the news as to when rugby can finally commence again.