It has been another busy pre-season at Lightfoot Green with a number of changes in the playing personnel for the upcoming 2013/14 season. Director of Rugby Gareth Dyer and his coaching staff have been hard at work assessing the make up of their senior squad and ensuring it is able to meet the demands of a National 2 North season, which on paper promises to be the most competitive yet.
They have retained the majority of last season’s squad whilst the coaching team remains in place for another campaign. Director of Rugby Gareth Dyer said “I was very much of the view at the end of last season that if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it. It was important to ensure that we retained our coaching and back up staff and this fortunately was a quick process. This has given us continuity off the field, which I feel is very important to a club like ours. Mike Lough will continue as Head Coach and will be supported by assistant coaches Karl Fitzpatrick (backs/defence), Alan Holmes (forwards) and John Young (2nd XV)”.
Michael Lough continues as head coach
However the club has added one important new face to the coaching team in the shape of Garth Dew. Garth, son of former Hoppers DoR Chris, will become one of Lough’s assistant coaches and will help Alan Holmes with coaching the forwards whilst also looking at the breakdown. “Garth has had to curtail his playing career but is keen to remain involved in the dressing room environment. He has plenty to offer having played at a high standard and has an excellent knowledge of the game. He has a skill set that can lend itself to a range of different areas and with one eye on the future he is someone we feel can develop into a top coach and be an important part of the club’s future. At this point it’s all about Garth getting used to being on the other side of the touchline and we will take our time to allow him to get to grips with the coaching side of things”.
Coaching & Back Room Staff 2013/14
Head Coach – Mike Lough
Assistant Coaches – Karl Fitzpatrick/Alan Holmes/Garth Dew
2nd XV Coach – John Young
1st XV Team Manager – Ian McFarlane
2nd XV Team Manager – Ade Jebb
Head Physio – Jo Steel
1st XV Physio – Nikki Salter
2nd XV Physio – Kathryn Stevens
Assistant Phsyio/Masseuse – Jennifer Stothard
Match Analyst – Matt Coleridge
Strength & Conditioning Coach – James Eastham
