New coaching team at Bideford RFC

Bideford Rugby Club is gearing up for the new season with a refreshed coaching staff behind the scenes and a change in the team captain.

Mark Schofield and Tom Skelding are the coaches who will support manager Bradley Goaman, and Pete Bowes is taking on the captaincy role, with his predecessor Alex Priest stepping down due to work commitments.

“We are delighted to have Mark and Tom coaching the senior sides this season,” said Goaman. “Mark will coach the backs and Tom the forwards, and both will also help out with the Colts. Mark and Tom are both former Tiverton coaches.

“Mark Lee and Alex Priest have stepped down from their coaching and captaincy roles due to busy work commitments, although we are delighted that Alex will continue playing for the club. He is a big player for Bideford and fantastic for us to retain his services.

“Pete Bowes has now been appointed as the new club captain and we are also looking forward to introducing a few new players to Bideford this season, which will strengthen our squad for the Western Counties campaign.”

As well as his role with Bideford RFC, Skelding is taking up a new position at Kingsley School, where he will be the new Director of Rugby and Head of Sports Science.

A Kingsley statement said: “Tom brings with him a wealth of playing and coaching experience, having played for several professional teams, including Gloucester, Exeter Chiefs and Plymouth Albion. Originally from Gloucester, Tom attended St Peters School, a renowned rugby school that has produced many notable rugby players.”

The next generation of rugby enthusiasts are being offered an introduction to the game at Bideford RFC, with tag rugby sessions starting in September for children about to enter Year 2 of Primary School.

The first session will be on Wednesday, September 6 from 6pm at Bideford RFC, with sessions moving indoors when the weather worsens. Contact Sam Olde via WhatsApp on 07824 818823.