Will joined Blues as Lead attack coach during last year’s pre season and we are very pleased that he will continue in this capacity for the coming season. Will has a strong background in the armed forces having commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2014. Whilst posted to Tidworth, the opportunity to coach at Newbury was one he readily took up saying that head Coach James McAvoy and Chair Sarah Tunstall were very welcoming. Will was born into an army family in Germany but his family moved back to the UK and he attended Cilcain Primary and Alun High Schools in North Wales. From there he moved to Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College in Loughborough and stayed in the town to study for his degree in Civil Engineering at the university. Will has played two codes professionally and internationally, representing Kenya 7’s and 15’s including World Cup qualification matches and HSBC 7’s series. His international 7’s debut was against South Africa and that may be an interesting conversation to have with him. He has been a member of several national league clubs as he bounced around the UK with the army, but his most recent club was Marlborough, a great fit for his time in Shrivenham when he needed regional rugby to better enable him to support his young family. His daughter Evelyn was born in 2021 and by 2023 had watched him play in a number of Premiership stadiums! Will paid tribute to his wife Kaitlin who has enabled all this to happen.

Will has also represented the Army at 7’s and 15’s carrying on a strong connection Blues have always had with the Armed Services. Unfortunately, a spinal fracture at the age of 31 abruptly ended Will’s playing career in 2023.

Once able, Will threw himself into coaching and has had spells coaching the Army 7’s Under 23 and the Army over 35’s teams. Beyond service rugby Will has coached the Eggchasers 7’s Academy and several elite 7’s teams. Most recently he has been offered and accepted positions with two Premiership Academies.

Will has aspirations to undertake his advanced Coaching Award in the future but feels the time is not quite right at the moment and is intending to wait a couple of seasons before embarking on what is quite a rigorous course.

As for season 2026/27, Will wants to help ensure Blues solidify a top three position in our league and focus on evolving our attack to be even more effective. There is no doubt the attacking patterns and shapes improved as last season progressed, and it is exciting to see how this can be enhanced as we move into next season. And with all players who have played for rival clubs, Will would love to do the double over Marlborough this year, “which will no doubt be a big local clash with some interesting, friendly rivalry!”

We are fortunate to have someone of Will’s pedigree on our coaching team, someone who fits in well at Monks Lane and someone who wants only the best for the players and the club. A bit belated I know Will, but welcome, and here’s to another successful season for you personally and one which will indeed see Blues competing at the top of the league.