I am pleased to be announced as Old Cooperians RFC’s Head Coach for the upcoming season. A season with significant importance to the club as we enter our 80th season.

I would like to thank the players and committee for their warm welcome and for their hard work behind the scenes to give the club a strong foundation to continue rebuilding from for the season ahead.

It was a difficult 18-months, and there is still more work ahead of us, but the future looks bright with recruitment remaining a key focus and most importantly, the integration of our age-grade players into senior rugby. They have been with the club since Uxx’s and are the future of the club.

Entering the newly formed Counties 3 Essex League gives us a great opportunity to take the first of many big steps forward and I hope we can create history and new memories that the whole club can be proud of. This journey is for everyone at the club: players, committee members, supporters and their families.

Your support is needed more now than ever as we prepare for and progress through the season ahead.

Over the past few months, I have enjoyed working with a great group of players who trusted and committed to the rebuilding of the club. They care deeply for the club and I am determined to not let everything that has come before me go to waste.

I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and what this group of talented players can produce. I will outline my expectations to the players throughout pre-season but most importantly, I want them all to enjoy their rugby and to reach their full potential.

Pre-season will prepare the boys physically for the season ahead and I am confident that the club will be in a stronger, more successful and happier place this time next year.

I hope I get the opportunity to see and speak to more members of the club throughout the season at games and in the clubhouse.

Eddie Gooby

LasB