Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen

- Pete Carroll

Grove RFC is pleased to announce it has appointed an impressive new coaching team going into the 2016/17 season, boasting professional and international playing, strong coaching, and Junior development rugby experience.

The new team will be building on the success of recent years that has seen the Club play at its highest ever level, win the County Cup for the first time, as well as boast the region's strongest Girls section, a new Women's section, and a rejuvenated Colts squad feeding into the Senior section.

The Club considered it important that candidates would fit into the great ethos of the club, as well as having personality, playing and coaching accreditations that will contribute to help motivate and develop players within the 1XV and other squads.

We hope you will all be as excited as us about the new structure at Grove RFC, and we look forward to the players committing to this new team in pre-season.

The new coaching team

Head Coach - Neil Hunter
Neil has a very impressive playing history with international honours at England U16/U18 and Scotland U21. At the position of fly half, he has also played professional rugby at Gloucester, Sale, Waterloo and Flyde Rugby Clubs.

He has been involved in coaching for a number of years, more recently at Chinnor (National 2) and Oxford University (Blues & Greyhounds backs), as well as with Ladies Rugby at Richmond Womens 1st XV and many Junior teams (including Abingdon School, and Yorkshire U20’s and Oxfordshire U16’s County sides).

This gives Neil a comprehensive understanding of Rugby that will encompass the complete Club, and he is very keen to share his knowledge and expertise widely to ensure that GRFC is best structured across all levels, Youth and Senior, to help develop players of the present and the future.

Assistant Coach - David Johnson
Neil will be supported by David Johnson as Assistant Coach.

David has been involved with Grove for 14 years as a First Team player, and more recently helping with senior coaching, where his input was very positively received. This more structured role in the coaching set up is therefore a very positive move for the club.

Forwards Player/Coach - Josh Tyler
The third member of the coaching team is a new player to the Club, Josh Tyler, signed from Ampthill (National 1).

Josh is a 6’10” second row'er, whose professional rugby career startd with his signing from UWIC by Newport Gwent Dragons, and he has been playing National 1 Rugby at Ampthill for the last few seasons. He was also part of the Saracens A squad last season, and represented East Midlands County at Twickenham in the winning side of the Level 2 County Final this year.

Josh’s experience and knowledge will be supporting the coaching team with bespoke forwards play, as well as becoming a key part of the 1st XV at Grove.

Conditioning Coach/Player - Dave Wells:
Dave Wells also joins the coaching team as Conditioning Coach.

His appointment builds on sessions run by Dave last season, where it became apparent that he had even more to offer as a fully qualified fitness coach, complementing the skills-based coaching that the rest of the team will deliver.

Recruiting for the 2016/17 Season underway -- get in touch now!

The Club is also on a recruitment drive to strengthen its 1st, 2nd & 3rd XV teams, to ensure next season is a stepping stone for the Club's ambitious plans.

If you are interested in playing Rugby at Grove, please contact Nigel Dixey – Club Captain on 07825525125, or attend the open pre-season training sessions that start on July 5th 2016 @ Grove RFC 7pm.

Photo: flickr.com/Fouquier ॐ