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Keynsham RFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Harvey Skelton and Matt Dew as Head Coaches for the 2019/20 along with the acquisition of Hayden Johnson as 1st XV Captain. After an initial interview with chairman Craig Wetton and Senior Chairman of Playing John Pearce it was very clear that their coaching ethos, enthusiasm and ambition was something that aligns with what the club wants to achieve. Harvey and Matt have a wealth of playing experience behind them. They have both played National League Rugby and have been involved with both professional and semi-professional set ups. Matt has been involved in the sporting and coaching sphere since College and Harvey works professionally as a rugby coach, currently at Gloucester Academy. After both plying their trade as Club coaches at Old Reds under the guidance of Saul Nelson they then joined forces and had a very successful 2 years as head coaches at Chipping Sodbury where they guided them to promotion to Western Counties North in their first year and finished a very respectable 6thin their second season. This was the highest league place finish in the club’s history. The young prospects have proved to be a balanced paring who we consider to be the perfect successors to the quality foundations already in place at the club. As many of you already know Jack Weston stepped down from his role as 1st XV captain at the end of the season after a 4 year stint. We would like to congratulate Jack on the fantastic job he has done in helping Jase and Kev in the development of 1st XV to the level they are at, the club would like to thank him for his efforts over this long period of time. Jack will be continuing his playing career at the club and is looking forward to being injury free next season. After discussion with the committee and senior players the club are happy to announce that Hayden Johnson has been named as 1stXV captain for 2019-2020 season. Hayden has played over 80 games for Keynsham and after a short sabbatical at Cleve returned to the club in February to complete the season. We wish Hayden the best of luck in this role. Preparations are already underway for the new season and with the announcement of the new coaches, Matt and Harvey would like to take the chance to invite the players down to the club on the 20th June for a BBQ, beers and a chance for them to get acquainted with the senior players. We look forward to seeing you then. Up the K’s!  New 1st XV captain Hayden Johnson (left) with new head coaches Harvey Skelton (middle) and Matt Dew (right)
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A huge crowd of Keynsham Rugby supporters travelled to Weston-Super-Mare on Sunday to see Keynsham RFC Under 16's clinch the Somerset Cup Final. Their 23-5 win against Midsomer Norton at Hornets Rugby Ground saw them take home the cup. This has marked the end of an outstanding 10 years of Mini and Junior Rugby from this group of players. Well done to all the boys who have been a such a credit to Keynsham Rugby Club.   Head coaches Jason Wheatley and Kevin Appleton have taken the decision to step down from their roles at the end of the 2018/2019 season due to work and family commitments. Jase and Kev have worked tirelessly over the last decade in developing players throughout the club creating an ethos that backed the youth of the club. This has not only been pivotal in the 1st XV’s promotion to South West 1 but also maintaining our position in that league. Although senior section coaches Jase and Kev are well known throughout the club, they have been frequently down helping the junior age groups as well as assisting with the U18s creating an excellent link between the younger players in the club and the seniors. Jason said “It’s been a real privilege to have been given the opportunity to coach at a fantastic club with a great tradition. It is with a very heavy heart that I will be leaving my senior coaching position. The players have played a huge part in developing me as a person as well as a coach over the last 10 years and I have had an unbelievable time. I am immensely proud of the club, its players and the significant successes that we have enjoyed together. I would like to thank the coaches, captains, players, medical teams, committees, club staff, members, supporters from past to present for some very special memories and I wish you all the best for the future and every success on and off the field.” Kevin added “I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Keynsham Rugby Club. I have had an amazing 8 years at the club and leave with some fantastic friends and memories. I have been part of many rugby clubs over the years and nothing compares to the experiences I have had at Keynsham, this is down to the people across the club making it such a great place.” As a club we would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to them both for their commitment, time and service to the club over a period of time spanning 10 and 8 years respectively. It is very rare you find that coaches who commit themselves to one club for that long! We hope they look back at their time at Crown Fields with fond memories and look forward to seeing them around the club. The Rugby Committee will in good time look to seek a successor to Jase and Kev. With the strong foundations built by Jase and Kev and the club in a strong position with a large group of U18s coming into the Senior set up it is a very exciting time for the club. We feel it presents a great opportunity to take over a thriving set up at a club with a strong history.   Well done to Olly, Marshall, Harry and Harvey from the under 15s who played for Bristol U15s against Colston's school this week. Fantastic achievement!  |
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