The 2023/24 season sees the First XV again competing in National 2 North.
Following the departure of Gareth Lewis after ten years in charge, Neil Ryan and Rob Anderson will be stepping up as Joint Head coaches. Lewis Bradley steps up to captain the side and will be assisted by vice-captain Tom Hodson.
The desire to bring through home grown players remains, with new recruits carefully selected to add talent and experience as well as, crucially, ‘buying in’ to the club’s ethos, core values, and spirit.
Darren ‘Irish’ Neilly and Gavin Rhodes will continue as Falcons player/coaches Rob Potter will continue as Development Attack/Backs coach. Joe Shiel will continue as the Development squad Manager.
George Hinchliff and Josh Cook continue their work as Captain and Vice of the A-Team.
Jess Bunyard continues her great work as Head of Women & Girls rugby.
Michael Stancliffe remains as Academy head coach.
The 1st XV has been a great platform for a number of players to progress their careers. Perhaps our most famous past player is former England International Luther Burrell who came through our Age Grade system. Ben Harris is currently playing for Wasps in the Premiership and Mat Clark has played at Doncaster and Nottingham in the Championship. Chris Johnson was also an influential player and became the National League top points scorer at Lockwood Park before moving up to National 1 with Fylde and Sale and captaining England Counties. Current Fiji coach and former Scotland and Barbarians coach Vern Cotter also played at Huddersfield, captaining the side during the 1985/86 season.
This player pathway is a long-term development that starts at the U6’s and ends with the 1st XV. In an endeavour to further develop the pathway from Junior to Senior rugby Bill Duncombe as Head of Youth Rugby and one of his responsibilities will be to support the transition of Academy players into the Senior sides at Huddersfield.
If you feel you would like to be part of what we have at Lockwood Park and believe that we can aid you in your aspirations as a player, then do not hesitate to visit the club or contact either the head coach or senior rugby manager for an informal chat.
Match entry is £10 for non-members, £8 for concessions and free for under 18’s.
Training
All Senior Squad training re-commences on Tuesday 1st June and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6.45pm.
