New team – new structure at Chinnor RFC

FOLLOWING Chinnor RFC’s announcement about its new senior coaching structure to take the club forward into a semi-professional future, Director of Rugby Matt Williams has announced the formation of the Chinnor Falcons.

Matt Williams

Chinnor Falcons will be a Development-focused team replacing the 2nd XV with former 1st XV recruit, Dave McKee, as player/coach.

Dave has played over 100 National League games for Hartpury, Cinderford and Chinnor. He suffered a back injury that stopped him playing last season but is now fit and raring to go, stating: “I am very excited by the challenge of creating a successful group of boys to support the 1st XV, and enable lads to progress through from youth to senior.”

Secpnd XV team manager, Hwyel Evans, will move into managing the Falcons and Julian Millo appointed as fixtures secretary of both Falcons and Colts.

Chinnor Falcons will have the major aim of feeding into the 1st XV and creating the next generation of Chinnor stars. The team will consist of a combination of existing Chinnor players, University players, former and current Colts, anchored by 1st XV squad members.

Matt Williams himself said: “It is vital that we get a clear and defined pathway for lads to progress from Chinnor and Oxfordshire Youth into our 1st XV. If boys are good enough, age is most certainly not a barrier with me. We have a duty not just for Chinnor but for the youth of Oxfordshire to give them a pathway to reach the level of Rugby that they are capable of and have the dedication for. Boys mature at different ages and there is a lot of talent out there, boys who have missed Premiership Academy structures for various reasons.”

Chinnor RFC will also be organising four Floodlight Wednesday Night, Under 20 games spread throughout the season. This will provide an opportunity to further progress the highly talented young players progressing through Chinnor.

Matt added: “This is a great opportunity to keep lads in contact with the club who have gone to university or work far afield. There is a big drop off in most clubs from Colts to Seniors as lads find other things in their life – Universities to girls! If we can keep the club in their minds when the time is right, they will be back!”

Director of Rugby, Matt Williams, will also be in charge of Colts Rugby from next season, with current first team player, Greg Goodfellow, as Colts’ Head Coach.

Matt concluded: “The Falcons and Colts will have the same attention to detail as the 1st XV and I will be viewing all the video analysis of both teams. If you are good enough, you will progress. My coaches pathway of Ricky Khan coaching the Falcons on a Thursday, and Dave McKee coaching the Colts on a Wednesday, will mean that I have eyes across the board.”