A message from our president

JOSH WARD – DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

It is with regret that I have to advise the Club that Josh Ward has decided that

he will not be renewing his contract with us which expires at the end of April

2026 and will be moving on to pastures green. We wish Josh all the best in his

new and future endeavours.

I would like to thank Josh on behalf of Southend RFC for his devotion to the

Club and for all his hard work both on and off the pitch over his 10 years at the

Club and especially during his 9 year spell as DOR.

Josh took up the DOR position at an extremely difficult time for the Club. Over

the years Josh has helped to stabilise the Club on the playing side and also with

initiatives in other areas.

In our most important and successful year 3 years ago Josh led the Saxons’

squad to achieve promotion with only 1 league defeat for the 1 st XV and also to

Twickenham where they won the Pappa John Cup for their division. The Priors

were also successful that same year in winning their league with only 1 defeat

and also their cup competition (albeit not at Twickenham).

Off the pitch Josh engendered an improved atmosphere and feel for the Club

which had been lacking in recent years. We are in a stronger and better

position in this respect for which we are grateful to Josh.

We wish Josh all the best and he will always be warmly welcome at the Club in

the future.

The Club Management Committee are actively pursuing the appointment of a

new DOR and we will keep members advised of developments in this respect.

David Ridler

President

Southend RFC

For and on behalf of The Management Committee

5 th March 2026.