I woke up this morning in a positive mood. Not just because its Friday, but because after our first players meeting ahead of the 2025/26 season, things felt like a club I recognised again.

Following the dare I say, eagerly waited confirmation that we would be move back to level 7 rugby, your SRUFC committee set out their goals for next year, the challenges we will face and what sort of character we want leading at the helm. There is no hiding that the club needs to take finances into consideration with every decision, but after 3 challenging years, we have begun to lose our identity and the culture that our community thrives on.

With that in mind, we wanted to appoint a head coach who not only understood what SRUFC was all about but also had experienced it first-hand. With a CV and coaching experience that ticks every box, we are delighted to finally announce that Colin Clarke accepted the position mid April with a 2 year contract! He has played at all levels at our club, coached youth, Colts, 2nds and 1sts, and has been a big part of the SRUFC community for over 20 years. With playing experience with Cambridge, London Irish and England U18s, as well as coaching experience with Northampton Saints Development Player Programme (DPP), Colin brings a wealth of knowledge. But it is his passion for development and youth rugby that really excites us. He has previously been our Youth Chair understanding the importance of our minis and juniors, and is focused on bridging the gap between our senior and youth sections! With assisting with the colts team and those who will be 1st XV players in the next few years, to creating an environment where both areas help each other.

As well as recruitment and preparation for the upcoming season, Colin hand selected his coaching team, working with our new chairman Jack Wilson to build a team that fit and understood the culture.

With one of the biggest and friendliest smiles around, Brad James is a face that everyone at Stowmarket will recognise and I feel confident in saying is a person everyone will be happy to see back in the team!! After time spent coaching at Colchester last season, just like Colin, Brad has been part of our community for many years, understands the SRUFC, has coached junior teams, coached our seniors and has played both 1st and 2nd XV (would you believe both of them have spent time playing Flyhalf for us too!). Brad's energy is unmatched, he brings a huge amount of knowledge with him and importantly a very approachable mentor for our young talented players. Brad will join us as Set Piece/Forwards coach.

Drum roll please ... The return of the Mann!! Announce last night is the final piece of this culture focus coaching trio and we are so excited to welcome him back home with open arms. Jonathan Mann returns to not only wear his coaching hat, but to once again put on the Navy, Red and white shirt. Those of you who watched us before last season will remember JT's playing talents, but this time around, we are excited to discover his full coaching ability. He comes back, this time with a bigger family (congratulations on becoming a Dad mate), and with even more rugby experience, with a stint in black and yellow. Just like Colin and Brad, Jonny has both played for and coached our senior teams before and importantly understands what it is to be a SRUFC player. JT will join us as Attack/Backs coach.

And with that, I think Colin has completely nailed the task of building a coaching team that not only understands and fits the Stowmarket Rugby Culture, but will build an improved one in this new chapter. Congratulation Colin, Brad and JT, and we cannot wait to join you for this season and many more!!