Matt Kearle joins Blues as women's assistant coach for the coming season. Born in Llanbradach, a small Welsh village just outside Caerphilly, Matt's schooling was undertaken in Caerphilly and from there he graduated to Swansea University to study History, specialising in the History of Sport, specifically the development of professionalisation of rugby union in Wales. Whilst at school he was called up to play for Newport Gwent Dragons U16 and later he played for Pontypool in the Welsh Championship. Matt played prop or number 8 but was forced to give up playing regularly due to a series of injuries. He moved to Reading in 2013 to take up a job teaching at Reading School where he continues to work. His one game a season is the annual Old Boys and Staff team against the recent school leavers, a fixture he organises.

He is a recently qualified RFU level 3 coach, the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award and his specialism is the scrum. Outside of work Matt has coached within the London Irish Developing Player Programme. This is for 13–16 year olds who trial before being offered a place. Towards the end of the season games are played against other teams and the successful players are recruited to the Prem teams Academies.

Matt is very much looking forward to coaching our women's teams this year. He says, "I want to learn as much as possible about women's rugby. Team wise I want us to have fun and learn to adapt on the pitch to any challenge. I'm so excited to learn from the players and coaches. The players have all made me feel so welcome already."

Everyone I know will hope you enjoy your time at Monks Lane Matt and I am sure you will be given the warmest of welcomes from everyone at the club.