He never thought he would be entering his fourth season with Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club in this way but despite the impact of coronavirus, head coach Chris Rowley has been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the 2020/21 campaign.
The Midlands 1 West outfit has seen an influx of players already this off-season bringing in the likes of Nathan Caucau, Chris Yates and JJ Broberg.
Rowley spoke candidly to Sport in Staffs about his goals for the side, how coronavirus has affected the club financially and what the future may hold.
“Next season will be my fourth season as head coach, it has been a steep learning curve for me as I came into the role whilst still captain of the team as a 29-year-old,” he stated.
“There has been a lot of change in these years and for the first year in particular I was dealing with the fallback from previous seasons.
“It has then been a process of rebuilding and I am hoping next season will be the first season where I can really stamp my mark as a coach at this club.”
Rowley explained why he decided to bring in key personnel into the club ahead of the new campaign.
“As soon as the rumours started to circulate that the season was going to be cut short, I decided that it was a great opportunity to spend some time planning for the future,” he said.
“I assembled a recruitment group that have been using contacts to chat to players about their future rugby plans and to see if our club would be able to offer what they are looking for going forward.
“I think it has been a mix of players missing playing and having time to consider what they want from their rugby careers which has allowed them to reflect and feel the need for a change and us being proactive that has been the key.
“In terms of more new signings, we are hoping to sign a few more players.”
Rowley went on to explain that the club is seeking to bring in someone who won the league at the same equivalent step Stoke are at in York last season, as well as a few local players too in the hope of achieving his ambitions next term.
“Since I have taken over, I have never set a position that I want us to finish in the table,” he continued.
“I have set smaller, process goals that are the foundations for a successful first team. The main aim for the next season is to have a competition for places in every position resulting in a strong second team and intense training.
“With the RFU looking to restructure the league in the 2021/22 season, the end goal for us this season would be to get into the split that will put us in top section of the restructure for our league, whatever that may look like!
“It will be difficult – I have learnt that the start is crucial and as we currently do not know when that will be, which will present new problems, but I am lucky to have a very good supporting team around me and, for the first time since I have been the head coach, I feel that we are building a squad of players and have got the right people in the right job roles supporting.”
The Stoke boss also outlined how much the coronavirus pandemic had impacted the club.
“In terms of end position (in the table last season), we were not affected as badly as a lot of other clubs as we were in the mid-table positions and therefore, we were not in the group for promotion or relegation.
“We are having a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday night to formally conclude the season but it was very disappointing that we missed the remaining games of the season.
“There were several events planned for the remaining first team home games so the club lost out on a lot of revenue there and with no money incoming at all, it is naturally a very difficult time for us and all other amateur sports clubs.
“We have managed to secure loans from the Staffordshire Rugby Union, RFU and the Government which we are hoping will continue to fund the club in preparing for next season.”
Rowley gave a message to Stoke Rugby Club fans and followers, stating: “Firstly, and most importantly stay safe and don’t put yourselves at risk!
“Secondly, I think it has been an amazing time to really value what rugby clubs are about. The community at Stoke is fantastic and has been very supportive to each other. We have been increasing our social media content whilst we have been on lockdown so please engage with posts and get involved in as many things as possible as you can.
“We are planning for next season to run as a traditional season until we hear otherwise. With so much going on since lockdown begun and a very abrupt end to last season, we can’t wait to get going again and be able to see you all every weekend!”
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