Senior Coaching Announcement

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Senior Coaching Announcement

Sadly, Matt Witcomb has informed the club that he will be stepping down as head coach at the end of the season.

Matt, retired from playing rugby following injury in his early 20s, having played up to Nat3 with Sutton & Epsom as well as stints at Old Walcountians and Canterbury Uni. He was introduced to Bromley in 2018 when looking to get back into rugby coaching, where he joined as Assistant to Tom Standfield for the 2018-19 season before taking over the helm the following year.

Building on a solid foundation of senior players with some exciting new signings and talented, young players from the Bromley academy, Matt implemented an expansive, fast paced game plan to suit the playing group, which brought almost instant reward.

In his first, COVID-hit season, Bromley 1st XV finished 3rd in the league, just shy of promotion, having lost only 2 games. In this, his second season, Bromley have returned stronger and fitter with the 1st XV currently top of London SE3 with 11 wins from 12.

His calm and inclusive approach has ensured that the Senior section is not only successful on the park, but also unified off it. He will be missed and we wish him well and look forward to sharing a pint or three on the sidelines or at a lunch or two!

So now for the good news. I am delighted to confirm that Joe Simpson will be returning to Bromley RFC as Head Coach from the 2022/23 season.

Joe played his formative rugby at Westcombe Park from 2008 to 2016 where he played in Nat 2 with their 1st XV and represented the Kent senior side in both 2012 and 2013. He first joined Bromley as a player in January 2016, helping to gain promotion to London 2 SE before becoming player-assistant coach to Tom Standfield for the following seasons.

In July-2018, Joe accepted a coaching role back at Westcombe Park before joining Charlton Park as backs coach in 2021. During that time he has continued to monitor Bromley’s fortunes awaiting an opportunity to return.

Joe will initially join at the end of January to observe and play in order to ensure continuity through to next season as he builds an understanding of the players and our style of rugby, before taking the reins for the off-season. We welcome Joe and wish him every success at the club.

With Joe now on board, we hope to make additional coaching appointments before the end of the season to support Joe and the Senior squads.

As a side note, thanks should go to Tom Standfield, not only for his time at the club as head coach but in helping to develop both Matt and Joe in their early coaching careers.

Ben Bromage
Chair of Senior Rugby

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