For those that don’t know me, I am Ian Holman and I am the newly appointed Head of Rugby at Hertford Rugby Club and Chairman of the recently formed Playing Sub-Committee (PSC).

In an ideal world I would have had the opportunity to talk with many of you about this role and the team that I have assembled in the comfort of the clubhouse at Hoe Lane. However, with the cancellation of the 2019/20 season and our confinement to our homes for the immediate future due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I felt compelled to put virtual pen to paper.

HRFC Playing Objectives
The core long term objective of my role and the PSC is to structure and organise the playing side of the entire club. My aim is to:

Restore our ‘One Club’ ethos and remove any disconnect between the 1st team squad and the social teams.

Provide a clear and well organised pathway for all players to achieve the best and most enjoyable standard of rugby they can- at Hertford RFC. The One Club vision should be instilled from U7 through the Minis to Youth, Academy, and senior sides.

Create an environment and set up where we ALL work together to ensure we give our 1st XV the best chance of promotion in a sustainable way. Hertford RFC has not gained promotion in the last 9 seasons and has not won its division since 2001/2

The most immediately pressing goal is to ensure that our 1st XV secures promotion from our current league - London & SE Premier (Level 5), to National League 2 (Level 4) when rugby does resume. Promotion is vitally important to ensure we maintain a consistently high standard of rugby once the leagues are restructured by the RFU in 2021.

Baz's sudden departure is not ideal however we all wish him the very best and would like to thank him for his tireless commitment to the club. We are, therefore, in the process of reviewing and appointing a senior coaching team that Dave Hynard and I are leading.

The Playing Sub-Committee (PSC)
To help us achieve the above, I felt that it was important to have a group of people who are fully equipped to best check and challenge all things rugby at HRFC. As a result, the newly-formed Playing Sub Committee (PSC), is made up of carefully selected individuals, chosen for their wide range of suitable playing, coaching and business experience (all of whom are currently involved in coaching throughout HRFC, are ex-players and also VPs), who have all been members for decades and therefore have an in-depth knowledge of the personalities and challenges that we face and above all, have the best interests of the club at heart. In due course, when the current lock-down is lifted, we will have a social get-together at the Club, where I will introduce you to all the PSC.

The Senior Coach Coordinator (SCC), Dave Hynard, was also carefully selected to sit on the PSC, for all the reason stated above, together with having an excellent coaching CV, having for the last 6 years, coached club and county age groups, club 1st & 2nd XV level and on elite player pathways at Saracens. Dave shares our vision, is a Level 3 coach, is currently enrolling for L4 and has good experience in Coach mentoring and development and will be tasked with helping all coaches with their KPI’s, ensuring we drive both coaching and playing standards up throughout the club.

HRFC – PSC 2020 - Resumes:

Ian Holman – Head of Rugby and Chairman of PSC (aka ‘Spanna’)

Came to senior rugby late, aged 23, having originally played basketball. Hertford RFC 1st XV debut at 24 (Captain for 4 seasons), Herts County Rugby 2nd XV (Captain for 1 season at 23), Herts County Rugby 1st XV (Captain for 5 seasons). HRFC VP. Director of Marketing Agency for 32 years, Director of a Property Investment and Development Company 14 years, Director of a Life and Legacy Online App 2 years. Have twin boys of 18 currently in the HRFC Academy.

Dave Hynard – Senior Coaching Coordinator

Represented Surrey County Rugby at various age groups, from U17 through to Senior Level. Finished playing career playing in Nat 2 for HRFC. 10 years coaching experience at HRFC, from mini through Youth section. Various senior coaching roles, including HRFC 2nd XV and Head Coach at Letchworth RFC. 6 years coaching in the Saracens Developing Player Pathway, at various age groups U13-U16. Currently Herts County Rugby U16 Head Coach, Saracens U16 PDG Lead Pathway Coach and involved with Saracens Junior Academy for last two seasons. UKCC Level 3 Coach and shortly to enrol for L4. Have two boys that currently play at HRFC, in mini and youth age groups.

Chris Joannou – Club Captain (aka Wanny)

Started playing rugby at Richard Hale School, joined HRFC at 15. Played in the 2nd team before travelling in Australia. Played for the Darwin Dragons and played representative rugby for Northern Territory Mosquitos against Adelaide and Queensland. Returned to HRFC in 2010 regularly playing for the 1st XV as injuries allow! 15 International Caps for Cyprus, including 2 7s tours and was involved in the highest Cyprus win ever in their victory over Malta in the 2018/19 season.

Mark Everett (aka ‘Spilla’)

Hertford RFC 1st XV, debut at 19 years old. Herts County Rugby and South of England, at both U16 and U18 group. Herts County Rugby 2nd XV. Saracens RFC U21. UKCC L2 Coach. HRFC VP. Herts County Cricket and South of England at U15, U17 and U19. Herts County Cricket 1st XI (for 10 years). MCC playing member and tourist. Current CEO of Herts Cricket. Chartered Surveyor and company MD for 25 years. Have two boys at HRFC (currently U11 and U15).

Mark Hale (aka ‘Junior’)

Played for all sides at HRFC, starting in minis in 1976, through to regular 1st XV player for several seasons and then on into the Veterans XV. Herts County Rugby 2nd XV. Coached through Minis, Youth and currently assistant Coach in HRFC Academy. HRFC VP. Married with two boys, one of which still plays for HRFC. Head of UK Sales in Alternative Animal Feeds.

Nigel Halligan (aka ‘Toad’)

Lifelong HRFC player, coach and supporter, starting in mini rugby section in 1980. Played for all senior teams from 1st XV to Exiles. Coached mini and youth rugby since 2011. Currently coach for HRFC U13 team, with a son in that age group. HRFC VP. Working in financial markets in London since 1990. MD since 2014. Teetotal and fanatical fitness addict!

Gavin Howell

Started at Saracens RFC, Eastern Counties Schools. University of Hertfordshire, Barnet and Barnet Elizabethans RFC. UKCC L2 coach. Coached at Keble Prep School, Head Coach at Barnet Colts, Head Coach: Hertford Minis and Youth 2006-2020. Former HRFC Minis Treasurer, HRFC VP. IT Director - TK Maxx, Thomson-Reuters and Currently Transformation Director at the John Lewis Partnership. Married with two boys, one of whom plays at HRFC U16

Matt Thompson (aka ‘Thommo’)
Lifelong HRFC player, coach and supporter, starting in mini rugby section in 1979. Played for all senior teams from 1st XV to Exiles (1985-2009), including stint as 3rd XV Captain. HRFC VP. Club Team Secretary, on main board 2001-2006. Coached Mini and Youth rugby, since 2007. UKCC Level 2 Coach. Club Coach Co-Ordinator Minis (2009-2020). Club Coach Co-Ordinator Youth (2014-2020). Currently Coach Manager for U23 returning students team, since 2016. Current Coach Manager for Hertford / Saracens, Project Rugby Mixed Ability, since 2017.

I hope you ALL can see the new structure as positive and are able to support and work with us to get HRFC on track; not just as a first XV, but as One Club.

Best wishes and stay safe

Ian Holman
Head of Rugby, Hertford RFC