Matt is Combe man through and through. Having represented the club in many teams since the age of 7 through to the current Vets, Matt has a long and proud affiliation with Westcombe Park RFC. As a Head Youth Coach, Matt has overseen a thriving and successful age grade, whilst also supporting other coaches at the club to grow and develop their practice. Now as co-Director of Youth Rugby, Matt aims to harness on the traditions of the club and create a culture and player pathway that attracts and retains talent to feed into the senior teams for many years to come.

Rhys is the former Head of PE and Rugby at Ravens Wood School, where he established a programme which is now recognised as one of the top providers for school rugby in the South of England. Rhys has over 20-years’ experience coaching youth teams where he has overseen success at county, regional and national standard. Over recent years, he has enjoyed organising junior tours to New Zealand, South Africa, and the Basque region, where he developed his coaching ethos for heads-up, running rugby. A former Combe player, Rhys is now Headteacher at a successful London secondary school and has a son coming through the ranks of the youth section at Combe.

Matt and Rhys will oversee all matters pertaining to the youth section (Pre-age grade/U-6s to U-18) and we wish them every success heading into the 2023-24 season. Their appointment will be formally confirmed at this year's AGM.

Finally I would like to extend my huge thanks and that of the club to Phillip Cahill who steps down as Chairman of Youth after a stalwart effort in managing the section over a number of years.