After four successful seasons as our Academy Head Coach Mike Baggs is stepping down from the role.
Mike has been involved in coaching at the club for a long number of years having first taken to the training ground with the Age Grade when his youngest son Ross started playing in the Under 6’s. Mike continued coaching that team right through to the Academy where he worked as assistant coach to Paul Sharrock. Several of that team went on to play first team rugby including Ross Thornton and Elliot Knight who are still part of the senior set up here and Harry Whitfield who went on to play at Level 3 with Rotherham. During this time Mike also worked as Chair of our Age Grade for seven years.
Since hanging up his boots when the legendary ‘Extra C’ finally folded Mike has helped with the running of the A team and done a four year spell as Head Coach with The Falcons. In his time in charge the team won back to back promotions and enjoyed an unbeaten season. He also took on the job of Senior Squad Manager alongside his coaching roles.
In the last four years the Academy team has enjoyed much success under his leadership. A Yorkshire Bowl victory, a Yorkshire Cup final appearance, a league title win and a runners-up slot being amongst the team’s recent achievements. When the Covid crisis cut the 2019/20 season short the team were on course for a league and county cup double.
Mike says highlights from his time in charge are too numerous to mention but comments that, ‘We’ve been fortunate to have some great players come through in the last few years but more importantly every player in the squad has ‘bought in’ to what we wanted to do, showing great commitment, enthusiasm and creating a strong team spirit every season, that always saw us through the challenges every team faces. Equally we have been lucky to have some great support in terms of fellow coaches and great manager in Tracy Davis, who has been a big part in the progress and success we have made.’
Mike is a true stalwart of HRUFC. On behalf of all the members Mike a massive thank you for your loyalty and hard work and all the very best for the future.
