Old Elthamians 1st XV Ltd has this week appointed Gavin Lach as managing director of the 1st XV limited company. In turn the rugby club has also offered to extend his contract as director of rugby by another season until April 2018.

As director of rugby, Gavin has overseen three promotions in the last five seasons, taking the club from London Two to their current position in National 2 South.

"It’s been an honour working with the Old Elthamians team, and I am extremely pleased to have been given this additional responsibility as managing director of the 1st XV Ltd company" Lach said of his appointment.

“Having been a member of the board for just over a year, to now be appointed as MD is very exciting. I was also very pleased to be asked to extend my contract as director of rugby by another year.

“It’s a great opportunity to keep working with these talented players for several years to come, giving us the time to build on our success of the last few seasons and ensure the team goes from strength to strength. We have achieved a great deal over the last few years, but I have even greater aspirations for the club."

Kobus Paulsen, founder and CEO of both club sponsor Secure Trading and OERFC 1st XV Ltd, and a long-time supporter of Old Elthamians RFC, said: “Gavin’s appointment has proven to be a real success for the club, bringing us up to previously unimagined heights. Not only are we delighted that he has agreed to keep working with us as director of rugby by extending his contract, we’re also thrilled to announce he will now be managing director of the limited company as well.”

Secure Trading is the principle sponsor of Old Elthamians RFC, sponsoring not only the 1st team, but also all other senior and junior teams.