Birmingham & Solihull have appointed Ian Matthews as their new Head of Rugby.
Matthews (35) joins the National Three Midlands club following a successful season at Welwyn in Hertfordshire where as Director of Rugby and head coach he guided them to promotion this season. He succeeds Eugene Martin, who stepped down as the Bees’ director of rugby, at the end of the season.
Matthews’ playing career included spells Sheffield, Old Albanians and Thanet Wanders as well as stints in Italy and Chile.
He has also coached the American School of London, Welwyn, Verulamians Haberdashers’s Aske’s School and Colleferro in Italy and has been a member of the Saracens community rugby coaching programme since 2004. As well as having achieved his RFU Coaching Level 3, Matthews also has a Degree in Sports Development and Coaching from Sheffield Hallam University.
“We are delighted to be bringing such a talented, well qualified and ambitious rugby-minded person as Ian Matthews into the Bees’ fold” said club chairman, Chris Loughran.
“After the disappointment of last season, we have acted swiftly to appoint a new Head of Rugby to lead the development of all aspects of senior rugby at the club. We wanted someone who can not only help ensure an immediate return to level four rugby for the first team, but also to build upon the good work that has been done in recent years to further strengthen the development of all senior and junior rugby at the club.”
“After a rigorous and intensive selection process which saw over 40 well qualified candidates apply for the job, the selection panel felt that Ian has all the right qualities that we are looking for in, what is, a pivotal role in of the club’s management team. Importantly, Ian also has the requisite time and energy to devote to every aspect of rugby at Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club.”
Matthews will start his new role with effect from June 1 in time for pre-season preparations and will be formally introduced to the players and supporters in the coming weeks.