Homecoming for Reece

Crusaders Rugby Club have announced their coaches for the coming season and are proud to welcome Hugh Reece-Edwards back to the club. Reece will assume the role of Head Coach and will be ably assisted by Andrew Bennison.

Reece represented Natal 165 times and also represented the Springboks and the SA 7's side. He was Natal coach and also served under Andre Maakgraaf as assistant coach to the Springboks. He has been the 1st team coach for Westville Boys High for the last 5 years and has successfully elevated them to one of the top rugby schools in KZN.

Reece began his career playing club rugby at Crusaders (where he captained the side in all his 1st team appearances) and has come a full circle. He is an "old style" coach who believes in using the wealth of experience gained in playing the game to put back in the form of coaching. Fitness and basics are his motto and this will form the pillars of Crusaders Rugby.

Mike Vowles (also from Westville Boys) will coach the U20's. He has spent the last few years as assistant to Reece at Westville and will bring the same ethos of hard work to the U20's. Crusaders Chairman Malcolm Kennedy is optimistic about the forthcoming season.

"We have a strong, dedicated committee in place and have appointed a strong coaching team", he said. "Our aim is to provide the best possible rugby environment for the players, enabling them to focus on playing the game."

Given the results of the coaching staff in the last few years, Crusaders could be the team to watch in the next year. Practice at Crusaders starts on Tuesday 24 November at 6pm.