HEIR APPARENT

Bath line up Hooper for top job

Stuart Hooper will succeed Todd Blackadder at Bath Rugby. The club have confirmed the former captain will take charge of the rugby department from 2020 or 2021. In a comprehensive open letter to supporters, CEO Tarquin Mcdonald also confirmed Todd Blackadder has extended his contract to 2020, with the possibility of staying on longer if he, and the club, feel it is the right move. Forwards coach Toby Booth, pictured, and backs coach Darren Edwards will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the season; meaning the club is looking to bring in two new faces – one “senior” and one more “junior” – to join Blackadder and attack coach Girvan Dempsey next season. The letter also spells out pathways for academy coaches Ryan Davis and Mark Lilley to develop into first-team coaches. Mr Mcdonald said: “It is a mark of Todd’s unique character – rare among coaches – that we are able to hold such discussions openly and to make decisions together for the best of Todd, his family, and the club. “Todd has committed that he will move on when the club is ready. That readiness will be predicated on our next step, which will be when Stuart Hooper proves his readiness to take on the leadership of our Rugby Department. “Why Stuart Hooper? Stuart has outstanding leadership qualities, tremendous integrity, yet also the willingness to be challenged, an unbelievable work ethic, a strategic mindset and the ability to get the best out of people. “He also cares very deeply about the club, the players and staff, and the wider community. “Does Stuart have more to learn? Definitely. Can he lead the department in two years? Absolutely. “In terms of the here and now, we can confirm Stuart’s role of general manager for the 2018/19 season – a role he commenced ahead of pre-season and which builds on the work he has been doing within the coaching group, the rugby performance departments and overseeing the player development pathway since he retired from playing in April, 2016.” The contract extension for Blackadder puts to bed speculation on social media and in the national media that he was on the brink of being sacked by owner Bruce Craig after an up and down start to the season. That was never the plan, due to his role on the long-term vision of the club which is now being spelled out. Booth joined from London Irish, where he was head coach, in 2012. Ex-dragons head coach Edwards joined in the summer of 2014. Mr Mcdonald said: “They have been fantastically loyal to the club and have provided critical stability through periods of change. “They carried us through the 2016/17 pre-season before Todd arrived and have helped drive us to Anglo-welsh, Challenge Cup and Premiership finals. “As we embark on the next stage in our development

Toby, Darren and the club have determined that now is the opportunity for them to take on new challenges and for the club to bring in fresh voices, new experiences and different ideas. “Toby and Darren have poured their hearts and souls into the club. We all give massive thanks to them for their hard work, commitment, passion, dedication and loyalty for the club, which will be celebrated appropriately. “They also have a huge part to play in the current campaign; driving us towards our season goals.” Dempsey, who arrived from European champions Leinster, will remain as attack coach for the foreseeable future. When Edwards leaves, Dempsey is likely to end up working with former fly-half Davis, who is currently one of the academy coaches. Lilley, another former player, has already been helping out coaching the first-team forwards as well as the academy players on their scrummaging. Mr Mcdonald added: “Ryan Davis has shown exceptional promise as a coach and we are considering developing his role as a 1st XV coach for the 2019/20 season onwards; serving as an apprentice coach supporting Girvan within the coaching programme with a particular focus on backs and attack.” As well as promoting homegrown coaches, the club have expressed their desire to increase the proportion of home-grown players coming through the ranks into the first-team squad. “Our ambition is to develop a core of at least 50% home-grown talent by 2022/23, interspersed with world-class players,” said Mr Mcdonald. “We are committed to investment in our squad, whilst also ensuring we spend every pound wisely. In this respect, the work of Pierre Broncan in scouting new and undiscovered talent is a critical part of our long-term recruitment strategy.” Academy manager Andy Rock will develop over the next couple of seasons to become the club’s performance director, with a junior academy manager brought in to support him in developing the young talent. Mr Mcdonald added: “Importantly, his role will involve working across departments to help deliver a truly multi-disciplinary programme encouraging all players and staff to develop.” The CEO admitted improvements can be made on the “environment” behind the scenes. “With inconsistent results sometimes come questions, and some of those have been directed at the environment,” he said. “Are there things we need to improve? Absolutely, and we are working on this together. “Importantly, this is being facilitated by Katie Warriner, our recently appointed sports psychologist and mental skills coach, in terms of managing the types of discussions which will drive a deep understanding and alignment between everyone at the club.”