Birmingham & Solihull have appointed former player Pete Glackin as their new Head of Rugby for the 2016/17 season.
Glackin, 37, is a well-known figure in Midlands’s rugby circles, having played and coached for a number of clubs in the region over his 20 year career to date.
The former outside half made 35 appearances in a four year spell at the Bees between 1998 and 2002, before moving on to Stourbridge, Nuneaton, Rugby Lions and Coventry. His rugby CV includes representative honours with Scotland at both U19 and Senior sevens levels.
An RFU Level 3 Coach, Glackin has been part of the coaching set up at National League One side Coventry since 2011, where his roles have included being Backs Coach and Head Coach. He was Head Coach at Rugby Lions RFC in the two preceding years and has also coached the England Colleges U19 side, as well as being a selector in the England Counties senior squad.
His appointment as Head of Rugby at Birmingham & Solihull for next season builds on the excellent work that has been done by interim coaching duo Paul Williams and Dave Spencer. With the veteran coaching duo unable to commit the requisite time to the role next season, Pete Glackin has been recruited to lead a backroom staff that will retain the services of Williams and Spencer in an advisory role. Glackin will, himself, combine his new role as Head of Rugby at the Bees with his current duties at Henley College Coventry.
“We have seen a dramatic improvement in our fortunes on the pitch since Messrs Williams and Spencer were ‘parachuted in’ at the end of January. It is vital that we maintain this momentum – not only to the end of the current league and cup campaigns – but also into next season, where we hope to be in a position to challenge for promotion,” said Bees’ President Mike Brennan.
“Pete is well known and respected both at our Club and in the wider regional rugby community and brings with him proven credentials as a player and coach alike. With the continuing ‘wisdom’ in the background of Willy & Spanner next season and the benefit of Pete being able to work with the players both now and for the whole of the pre-season period, we are in an excellent position to take things forward”.