Friday on board to lead Old Elthamians Academy

MIKE Friday has joined Old Elthamians as the club’s new academy director.

Friday will also continue in his position as the head coach of the USA National Sevens team.

Friday will head up an experienced coaching team at Elthamians under director of rugby Gavin Lach. He will be responsible for overseeing the club’s new Academy which has been set up and structured to provide a clear pathway of progression for young talent to move into the senior section and potentially into the professional game.

Friday said: “We are really excited about creating and driving a leading pathway and performance academy located within the ‘rugby hotbed’ of Kent at Old Elthamians.

“Our aim is to maximise the potential of these aspirational rugby players as young people on and off the pitch.

“We will be identifying rugby players from around the country who have not only the rugby ability but also the characteristics and off-pitch behaviours to succeed with the ambition to create the next generation of professional players.”

Following a successful professional playing career with Wasps and England Sevens, Friday has enjoyed even greater success on the world 7s coaching stage.

Friday, 45, coached the England Sevens team for five years, leading them to a first ever silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and an unprecedented four Hong Kong Sevens titles.

Lach said: “I am delighted that Mike Friday has joined my coaching team to create and run the academy. This pathway will hopefully provide wonderful opportunities for our talented youngsters to bridge the path into the extended first team squad.

“With former England women’s captain Catherine Spencer running our new women’s section, Mike’s appointment is another piece in the jigsaw towards creating a rugby centre of excellence in the South East. More importantly, we are building a club that caters for all ages and abilities.”