Bristol Ladies Announce New Coaching Staff for 2015/16 Season

Bristol Ladies Announce New Coaching Staff for 2015/16 Season

Bristol Ladies are pleased to confirm the appointment of three new coaches to the team ahead of the 15/16 season.

Royston Davies and James Hall take on the positions of 1st XV and 2nd XV Forwards coaches respectively, and Sebastian Delport joins as lead 2nd XV Coach, all on a one year long contract.

Davies - who hails from Llanelli, South Wales - began his playing career at local club Bynea RFC, before joining Hartpury College in 2001. Spells at Moseley RFC and Lydney followed before injury forced early retirement from the game. Rejoining his boyhood club, Davies was appointed Director of Rugby and spent two successful years there. A fully qualified level 3 coach, Roy currently coaches the RFU Junior Academy, Bristol Rugby DPP programme and South West U20s, whilst also lecturing in Sport at Bridgewater College and spending any spare time he has with long-suffering wife Sarah and their children Eva-Lily and Cato.

'I am both honoured and exited to be joining a club of the calibre of Bristol Ladies. There is a huge amount of talent within the squad, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the players in order to maximise the potential that is here, and hopefully achieve our goals both individually and collectively. It's not every day you get an opportunity to work in elite rugby, and I can't wait to get started'

Hall - who is part of the current Bristol Rugby squad- played for Newcastle Falcons before moving to Bristol Rugby in 2013. Alongside a degree in Physical Education from Liverpool John Moores University, James has completed his rugby coaching qualification and has coached school sides in Newcastle, whilst recently helping local club Broad Plain RFC 1st XV remain in their league after a difficult season.

"I'm really excited to be joining a rugby club who play at the highest level of the women's game. The chance to develop the 2^nd XV and help players who strive to play in the 1st XV and beyond achieve their goals is a challenge I'm really looking forward too."

(image by John White Media)

Delport - who takes up the position of 2nd XV Lead Coach (specialising in back play) - comes to Bristol Ladies from Zimbabwe, via stints in both South Africa and Australia. Having established youth development academies at Rockingham and Mandurah Rugby Clubs in Perth, Western Australia, he has also performed the role of Development Officer for the Cairns region of Far North Queensland during his time with Queensland Rugby Union. After moving to the UK in April, Sebastian plans to study alongside coaching Bristol Ladies.

'I'm really passionate about the development of young talent, and am excited to be joining Bristol Ladies Rugby as Women’s Rugby continues to go from strength to strength throughout the UK'

Club Chairwoman Heidi Chapman Mercer is excited about the future of the club. ‘It’s great to bring some new faces into the club, and from such a diverse range of backgrounds, James, Roy and Sebastian will each bring something unique to the club. The club is starting on a new journey and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. A big thank you must go out to Matt Belbin and Pete Reakes for the work they’ve put in over the last few seasons too – they’ve done an incredible job’.

Pete Reakes has moved into a multi-faceted role within the club, using his knowledge and areas of expertise to help develop Bristol Ladies across multiple platforms, whilst Matt Belbin has moved into a coaching role with National League Three side Old Reds. Everyone at Bristol Ladies wishes Matt the best of luck with his new role, and are excited to work with Pete in his new position.

There is one remaining vacancy in the coaching set up, with the role of 1^st XV Backs Coach still up for grabs. For further information and a job description please email Heidi.chapman-mercer@bristol-sport.co.uk. The deadline for applications is the 3^rd June.