Welcome From The Director Of Rugby

Director of Rugby Welcome

A very warm welcome to Warners Bridge, the home of Southend Rugby Club.

Having been a player here for over ten years and Head Coach for the previous eight, I am incredibly proud and honoured to be appointed Director of Rugby at this fantastic club. Southend RFC has been a huge part of my life and is built on strong values, passionate people and a proud rugby tradition. It is a privilege to lead the next chapter of our journey together.

My vision is simple: One Club. One Direction.

We will continue to build a culture where standards drive performance and performance drives success. I am excited to continue the work that Josh, myself, our coaching staff, players, volunteers and management have worked so hard to establish over many years. We have built strong foundations, but there is still much more to achieve. The challenges ahead are exciting, and I look forward to seeing what this talented group of players can accomplish together.

The work starts now.

Reflecting on Last Season

The 2025/26 season was one of highs and lows but ultimately the club's most successful campaign in recent years. Our Saxons finished 4th in Regional 1, producing some outstanding performances both home and away throughout the season.

The upcoming Regional 1 campaign promises to be even more competitive. New grounds await, fresh challenges lie ahead and the return of Eton Manor will reignite a healthy rivalry that many of us have enjoyed over the years. With a young, talented squad strengthened by some exciting additions, we are looking forward to seeing how far this group can go by playing ambitious, intelligent rugby.

Our Priors finished 9th in Counties 1 Hertfordshire. While the league position only tells part of the story, the squad once again proved its importance within our rugby programme by preparing players for senior rugby. Several players stepped up to make their Saxons debuts, highlighting the strength of the development pathway we continue to build.

We're also delighted that the Priors have now returned to the Essex league structure and will compete in Essex Counties 1 this season. This is something the club has worked towards for a long time and provides an even stronger platform for player development and progression.

Developing Home-Grown Talent

One of the areas I am most proud of is the continued development of our own players.

This season has once again shown that our academy pathway is thriving. Academy players have progressed into the Priors, first-year seniors have earned Saxons debuts and several Colts have represented both the Cardinals and Bishops. These achievements are a credit to our coaching staff, the commitment of our players and the pathway we have created throughout the club.

Our ambition is simple: to provide every player with a clear route through the club, giving them the opportunity to fulfil their potential and one day represent the Saxons.

What Success Looks Like

Success isn't measured solely by league tables.

Of course we all want to win rugby matches, but true success will also be measured by the environment we create, the players we develop, the standards we uphold and the pride people feel when pulling on a Southend shirt.

We want our players to enjoy their rugby, our supporters to feel connected to the club and everyone involved to contribute to a culture that people are proud to be part of.

The People Behind the Programme

No rugby club succeeds without the people working tirelessly behind the scenes, often without recognition.

Tracey Gilson is quite simply the backbone of our playing group and affectionately known as the club's "mum". Whether she's preparing food after training and on match days for our players and visiting teams, or feeding the hundreds of Mini and Youth players, parents and supporters who come through our doors each weekend, her dedication and care never go unnoticed.

Donna Munroe and her team behind the bar are equally integral to the club, providing a warm welcome and outstanding service to members, supporters and visiting clubs on match days and at events throughout the year. Together, Tracey, Donna and their teams create an atmosphere that makes Southend Rugby Club feel like home.

Their generosity, commitment and willingness to go above and beyond embody everything that makes Southend Rugby Club such a special place.

I'd also like to recognise Andrew Wilkinson and our Tuesday Working Party. Week after week they volunteer countless hours maintaining and improving our clubhouse and facilities, ensuring they remain somewhere our members, visitors and opposition clubs are proud to visit. Much of their work goes unseen, but it is fundamental to everything we do.

Supporting those volunteers is an outstanding coaching, medical and performance team whose commitment provides our players with the very best environment to develop.

The continuity within our coaching group gives the club stability, consistency and trust. Andrew McClintock, Warren Lewis, George Phelps-Knights, Mark Sexton, Ed Mkudu and Daniel Legge continue to challenge and support our players every week.

Cat Malcolm remains Head of Strength & Conditioning and plays an essential role in preparing our players to perform at their best. Our medical team, led by Beck Daisley and Amy Smith, continues to provide exceptional care and support, with Karen Short offering additional expertise whenever required. We are also delighted to welcome Omar Amran after gaining valuable experience with us during his studies last season.

Jon Hicks continues his excellent work as club chiropractor, while Peter Scott remains Team Manager—a role he performs tirelessly and with unwavering dedication to both the squad and the club.

More Than Rugby

One of Southend Rugby Club's greatest strengths is that we are far more than a rugby team—we are a community.

SouthSEND, led by Ally Gavin and his incredible team of volunteers, remains one of the club's most valued programmes and the highlight of many people's week.

The Saints continue to grow with exciting ambitions for the future of our women's and girls' section, while the Sea Lions go from strength to strength with increasing numbers and an expanding fixture list.

Our Mini and Youth section also continues to flourish thanks to the outstanding work of our coaches, volunteers and parents. They provide hundreds of young players with the opportunity to learn, develop and enjoy our game every single week. They are the future of Southend Rugby Club.

Looking Ahead

We have an exciting opportunity ahead of us. By working together and committing to high standards both on and off the field, I am confident we can continue building something that everyone associated with Southend Rugby Club can be proud of.

Thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy and passion to this club. Whether you're a player, volunteer, coach, sponsor or supporter, you all play a vital role in our success.

I look forward to meeting many more of you throughout the season and beginning this next chapter together.

One Club. One Direction.

See you at Warners Bridge.

Sid Hoult
Director of Rugby
Southend Rugby Club