Holt RFC is delighted to announce that Richard Garrett will be joining the club as the Head of Coach and Player Development. The appointment of Richard is intended as a long term, strategic appointment to develop our coaching offering across mini, youth and senior rugby to “best in class” status.
Director of Rugby Ashley Woods said: “We have a fantastic group of skilled and dedicated coaches across the mini, youth and senior section of our club and Richard’s joining presents us with an opportunity to continue our development of our coaches and players; it is a very exciting development for Holt RFC as we build more sustainability into our long term plans. Richard brings a wealth of experience and a great track record in developing coaches and players and we are very lucky to have him at an exciting time for the whole club.”
In turn Richard responded “I am absolutely thrilled to be offered this position. Coach and player development are areas that I am hugely passionate about. After leaving military service my work has seen the development of people at its core. I have spent over 20 years supporting volunteer and professional coaches enabling them to excel in their roles within Rugby.”
Richard has a varied career portfolio, consisting of operational military experience for 38 years, combined with a passion for Rugby that spans 50 years, starting at Long Buckby RFC as a colt, to representing the British Army as a player, coach, Director of Rugby and finally Coach Developer/Mentor. He appeared at Twickenham and Murrayfield for the British Military on the way.
“I feel well placed to take on this role. Growing up as a young boy in a village Rugby Club, then subsequently gaining playing experience in both community and semi-professional environments, as well as coaching and coach development roles within the community and professional areas of the game, has given me a wealth of experience that I bring to Holt RFC. I am excited to be part of the vision the club has, where fun and enjoyment are integral to the pursuit of success on the field. I believe I can offer a great deal towards this.”
After a 2 year period as a full time Coach Developer for the RFU Richard has recently relocated to Norfolk with his family, moving from Kent to enjoy the North Norfolk coast. In the South East he worked as the Coach Development Mentor delivering the Saracens pathway programme and providing coach development training for the RFU within professional clubs such as Saracens, Harlequins and London Irish.
“I genuinely feel that coaching is a key component to the success of a rugby club, both on the field and off and Holt RFC can get ahead and be the “club of choice” in Norfolk. Coach and player development are ways to do that. I am keen to get to know the people in the club and to better understand the role that I can play in the delivery of the strategic plan. I am really excited about where Holt RFC can go, in both the Adult and Youth areas of the game.”