Preston Grasshoppers RFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Phill Mills as the club’s Community Rugby Coach.
Phill joined the club as a player in 2011 and replaces Sean Taylor who departs to Ballymena RFC in Northern Ireland after a successful spell in the role. Phill, who plays hooker in the 1st XV, has a Sports Coaching Degree from UCLAN and is working towards his Level 2 RFU Coaching Award.
In the past few years Phill has spent time back at his first club Bolton, helping coach the Under 13’s and 14’s to a Lancashire Cup Plate Final and working with the hookers on position specific skills.
Phill was awarded Man of the Match in the Brendan Hanavan Trophy game with Fylde
Director of Rugby Gareth Dyer commented on the appointment saying ”I’m delighted that we have been able to appoint Phill in this role. He’s got big boots to fill with Sean’s departure but I know he will give the role his all. Phill is a hard working, ambitious young man who is determined to put his stamp on our CRC role. It’s a very important role within the club, as it engages young people with the rugby code in what is a football centric area. It’s important we grow interest in local schools to dovetail with the fine work our mini & youth system already does. I’ve been impressed with Phill’s ideas and vision for the future of the CRC position and as a club we will endeavour to support him in the delivery if those plans.”
He added ”As a club we pride ourselves on developing young people on the pitch but what perhaps isn’t always appreciated is the work we put into providing young people with skills and opportunities to build their futures away from the playing field. We continue to give young people the opportunity to take responsibility for promoting and developing PGRFC whilst giving them vital work experience.”
One of Phill’s first jobs in the role will be to run our Summer Rugby Camps. Details can be found by clicking this link. The camps are aimed at ages 6-13.
We’ve managed to catch up with Phill ahead of him starting in the role and we will bring you an interview with him early next week.
