*** View From The Bridge ***

With a very solid 4th place on our return to London 1 last term we know that life will be very competitive in the 2018/19 season. Lots of old rivalries to resume and new challenges to face. Hove gained promotion up to our league to add to the Sussex mix alongside an always strong Brighton. Medway, front runners for most of last year, missed out narrowly on promotion and will no doubt want to push up the rugby pyramid, as do our local rivals Havant who finished 3rd in the league, and have put together what looks like a very powerful side.

One or two players have hung up their boots, so this season will be a chance to really push forward our youth development programme, bringing players through from the successful Colts teams of recent years. With this is mind we have asked the wise head of former Chairman Keith Martin to stay with the Colts alongside myself. We are also very pleased to announce that working with the Colts and advising the seniors will be home grown talent, and Chichester lad, Kieran Low. Kieran had a very successful professional rugby career playing for London Irish, Glasgow and Saracens. He played through the England age groups at U18 and U20 and went on to achieve full international status with Scotland. Having to retire early through injury Kieran is looking to put something back into the Club he started with.

In the senior set up I have looked to strengthen the coaching structure with the introduction of Neil McGovern as defence coach. Neil and I coached with, and against, each other for many years including being joint County U20 coaches five or six years ago. When I heard, that after a very successful period with Brighton RFC, Neil had left the club I was very keen to bring him on board.

On behalf of Paddy McAlpine, new Chairman of CRFC I am pleased to announce the following positions for the Senior Club:

Director of Rugby - Paul Colley
Head Coach - Scott Ashley
Attack Coach - Mark Norton
Defence Coach - Neil McGovern
Skill Development - Danny Gray
1st XV Manager - Alan Chambers
2nd XV Coach - Paul Wooster
3rd XV Coach - Dave Outen
Rugby Advisor - Stuart Anscombe
Academy Director - Paul Colley
Colts Lead Coach - Keith Martin
Assistant Coach - Kieran Low
Colts S&C - Steve Lawrence
Match Day Manager - Nigel Hanlon
Lead Physio - Jamie Thompson
Asst Physios - Holly Boarer & Josh Cowell
Club Captain - Jon Lindsay
1st XV Captain - Charlie Wallace
Vice-Captain - Henry Anscombe
2nd XV Captain - Jack Knight
3rd XV Captain - Simon Campbell

On Saturday 18th August we play the first of our warm up matches against ambitious London North outfit Harpenden, at Oaklands Park. Kick-off is at 14:00. All support welcome. This is followed by an evening game against National League team Guildford on Thursday, 23rd August, also at Oaklands Park. Kick-off is at 19:15.

The opening league games are on Saturday, 1st September, with the 1st XV away to Westcombe Park and the 2nd XV taking on Bognor 1st XV at home.

Look forward to seeing everyone up at the Club over the next few weeks.

Cheers in Rugby

Paul Colley
Director of Rugby