RNRU announces coaching team for Under 23s
The Royal Navy Rugby Union has announced the coaching team for the Royal Navy Under-23s' 2010 Inter Service campaign. The coaching team is an exciting blend of talent and experience and will be led by Head Coach, CPOPT Clayton Patilla (HMS Nelson), who is joined by POAET Marsh Cormack (RNAS Culdrose) and POCIS Neil Evans (NCHQ, soon to join HMS Collingwood).
Clayton has playing experience with the Senior XV and with the Ancient Mariners but has yet to coach within the RN Representative set-up. However his achievements with US Portsmouth RFC brought him to the attention of the coaching selectors who were impressed by the way he re-energised the club and also the success he delivered in the Hampshire Cup.
Marsh Cormack is the first coach to be fast-tracked as part of the RNRU's development of its future coaching talent. With 14 Navy Caps to his name and still counting, twice winner of the RNRU's Cossack Sword, he brings an immense amount of playing experience to the coaching team. This year he completed his RFU Level 1 Coaching Award along with the rest of the Senior XV squad. Whilst on the course it was obvious that Marsh already has many of the qualities sought in a Navy Representative Coach.
Neil Evans is the third member of the team and is ‘promoted' following two years coaching with the Ancient Mariners. Whilst with the Ancient Mariners he benefited from the tutelage of former Navy Head Coach, Lt Mick Connolly RN, who has given him a ringing endorsement as a talented Navy Coach with great potential.
Commenting on the selections Navy Director of Rugby, Lt Geraint Ashton Jones RN, said: "I am very excited by the blend of experience and talent we have been able to select. Clayton had a noticeable effect during his time at US Portsmouth and as importantly, brings with him all the values we look for in Navy Rugby and in which we wish our young players to be grounded as they start out on their Navy Rugby journey. With Marsh and ‘Crash' Evans alongside him we have both ends of the Navy Rugby coaching development spectrum. In Marsh we are looking to build experience, whilst he is still playing, so that when he does retire he is able to deliver at the more demanding Senior XV environment. Crash meanwhile, is a great young talent whose coaching experience is being built alongside developing his understanding of the game. At the moment he has the potential to be a future Senior XV coach as long as we keep investing in him and he keeps looking to push himself. We are also fortunate that last year's head coach, PO Owen Salmon, remains available to mentor and provide continuity for what is a key team in terms of developing Navy Rugby's future players."
RN U23 Head Coach Clayton Patilla