People get into grassroots coaching for a variety of different reasons and often follow very different paths in getting there. This is the fifth article in a series that looks to tell the story of some of our Mini & Junior coaches.

This time around we have Danny Mitchell, Under Xs coach.

Name: Danny Mitchell
Profession: Managing Director of a landscaping business
Age: 46
Team: Any
Playing Position: Anywhere they will have me now. I have played most positions but predominantly centre

Tell us a bit about yourself and your rugby background
I started playing rugby at the age of 9 at Ashley Down. As with most kids at that time I was interested in most sports. As well as rugby I was in a football team, swimming club, judo club and just loved anything sport. Rugby became my focus in my teens as I found out I was rubbish at most sports and was ok at rugby and very much enjoyed knocking people over. Ashley Down for me became and is more than just a place to play sport. It is a place where I have made life long friends and somewhere i can wind down and have a good craic.

As well as progressing through the junior section I made my first team debut at 17. As with most 1st team debuts it’s a game you don’t forget. I was 17 and weighed about ten stone and we were playing against North Bristol. The warm up went well and I was raring to go. At kick off I looked around to see my opposite number and struggled to pick him out in amongst all of the forwards. I was mistakenly looking for somebody of a similar size and age to me! After the initial exchanges it became clear that my opposite number was a delightful man that went by the nickname of Rhino! An ex prop who despite being over 18 stone was very quick over short distances. My debut lasted 10 minutes. After Rhino ran over the top of me for the third time I lost the use of my right arm and I had to reluctantly leave the pitch!

I'm glad to say this didn’t put me off and I progressed through all of the teams at Ashley Down and I was very proud to be the first team captain for a couple of years. I do still play now and will try to do so for as long as I can.

What was it that got you into coaching?
When we started the junior section it was a no brainer for me. It was a chance for us to grow the next generation of players and further grow as a club. It helped that I have a son, Sam, who was keen to play and I have coached his age group from the beginning.

What's coaching done for you personally?
Apart from the nervous breakdowns and high blood pressure it has been really rewarding. We can see that what we are doing brings stability to the club and with the talent we have coming through the club will go from strength to strength.

Tell us about your favourite coaching moment
SLUGS ! (if you know, you know!)