News - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Ealing Trailfinders Women announce first set of support staff for inaugural season

Ealing Trailfinders Women are pleased to reveal their new Strength and Conditioning team, which will work across the Premier15s team and the club’s pathways at Brunel University, Henley College and Cardinal Newman.

Adam Dowsett – Lead Athletic Performance Coach

With over a decade of experience in Strength and Conditioning, including six years at Wasps Women, Adam will be leading the club’s strength and conditioning across the Premier15s team and guiding the club’s pathways at Brunel University, Henley College and Cardinal Newman. He first started in Strength & Conditioning at Brunel University ten years ago, as he worked closely with the university’s sports scholars, some of them Olympic International athletes, across eight different sports. This is where he first discovered his passion for women’s rugby and this later led to a move to Wasps Women. After six years with the Premier15s side, where they consistently qualified for the playoffs, he moved back to Brunel University this year, working with the women’s programme at the Trailfinders Rugby Academy as they gained promotion into the second tier of British University Rugby.

Fiona ‘Fee’ Pocock – Assistant Strength & Conditioning

Fee is a former Red Rose and an experienced S&C coach who has worked with a wide range of athletes in a variety of settings, from youth athletes to most recently leading the Wasps Women Premier15s programme. Known for her physicality and pace, Fee’s ten year playing career included being an integral part of the England World Cup squad in 2010 as well as winning four Six Nations titles. She also won the Premiership with Harlequins Women in 2017, their first year in the Premiership.

Sam Thirlwell – Head of Strength & Conditioning at Henley College

Sam is entering his fifth year working in S&C, and has experience across both rugby and football. He is continuing his role as S&C coach at Henley College, where he has been during the last two years, and over that time he has helped to produce five England U18s internationals and saw the team achieve second place in their first year in the AOC Performance League. Before being at Henley, he gained experience at Harlequins, Leeds Beckett and Southampton FC and has a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, as well as an MSc in Applied Strength and Conditioning Science.

The announcement of the S&C team comes following on from the news that Giselle Mather will be joined in her coaching group by Brett Wilkinson, Barney Maddison, Oli Bishop, Kim Oliver and Pat Metcalfe-Jones. To read about that announcement, click here.

When speaking about her new coaches and S&C team, Giselle said: “It is hugely exciting to assemble such a vastly experienced coaching team that are all experts in their areas of the game.

“Their commitment to developing our athletes, both as individuals and collectively as a team, is palpable.

“Having full-time coaching staff will allow them to genuinely support the challenges faced by working athletes as they juggle their training hours alongside their careers and this will be a real area of strength of the Ealing Trailfinders programme moving forward. We cannot wait to get started!!”

The Strength & Conditioning team are the first set of support staff to be announced. In the coming weeks, the Analysis, Nutrition, Psychology, Player Development and Pathway teams will all be revealed.

Ealing Trailfinders announce their Women’s Coaching Team

Ealing Trailfinders can reveal their women’s coaching team for next season, as led by Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather

The team provides an eclectic mix of experienced coaches, those who have played at the highest level and personnel who know the club inside-out, to ensure that players in the new Premier15s team are coached to achieve their potential, both as a team and as individuals.

Brett Wilkinson – Scrum Coach

As well as continuing his role with the men’s team, Brett will be in charge of the scrum for the women’s side next season. Brett initially joined the Trailfinders programme back in May 2021, as he was appointed forwards coach at the Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University. Then, a year later, he made the step up to the first team as Scrum and Transition Coach. As well as having several years as an experienced coach, Brett also has over 180 appearances for Connacht as a player, as well as 5 caps for Ireland ‘A’ and he played in a non-cap game for Ireland against the Barbarians.

Barney Maddison – Forwards, Line-out and Breakdown Coach

Having made over 50 first team appearances over two-spells, with many of them coming as captain this season, Barney is someone that knows Ealing Trailfinders better than most. The second-row, who is a line-out specialist, will remain playing for the men’s side as he looks to add to his 200 appearances for the Trailfinders, London Irish, London Welsh and Rotherham Titans. As well as an impressive CV as a player, Barney is an RFU level 3 qualified coach and has experience as forwards coach at Bracknell over the last couple of years as well as being an assistant coach at Ruislip RFC.

Oli Bishop – U23s and Defence Coach

Having worked with Wasps Women for nine seasons, Oli has huge experience working and developing female athletes. He is an outstanding technical coach who arrives at Ealing Trailfinders with an extensive coaching background. He currently works as the attack and backs coach at the London club, having previously worked as the defence and skills coach. He has coached multiple schools, universities and county teams, and has experience working overseas in Ireland and New Zealand as well as with various men’s and women’s 7s teams.

Kim Oliver – Skills Coach and Athlete Mentor

Former Red Rose Kim Oliver comes with years of experience, both as a coach and as a player. Previously Head Coach at Bristol Bears and Bath Ladies, Kim has spent the last two years creating and overseeing the inaugural girls programme at Henley College, a partner school of Ealing Trailfinders. She will join the Premier15s side as skills coach, as well as being an athlete mentor for the whole women’s programme at the club, focusing on discovering, mentoring and nurturing talented players.

Pat Metcalfe-Jones – Assistant Line-out and Assistant Defence Coach

Currently Head of Rugby at the City of Oxford College and the Head Coach at the Thames Valley Centre of Excellence, Pat has experience as both a player and a coach in the women’s game. She has led the Centre of Excellence during the 2022/23 season, and has previously coached in both the age-grade pathway and university game. During her playing career, she represented Harlequins and Richmond in the Premier15s and will be using her knowledge to assist with defence and set-piece at Ealing Trailfinders Women.

On her new coaching team, Director of Rugby Giselle Mather said: ‘It is hugely exciting to assemble such a vastly experienced coaching team that are all experts in their areas of the game.

“Their commitment to developing our athletes, both as individuals and collectively as a team, is palpable.

“Having full-time coaching staff will allow them to genuinely support the challenges faced by working athletes as they juggle their training hours alongside their careers and this will be a real area of strength of the Ealing Trailfinders programme moving forward. We cannot wait to get started!!”

The coaching team will be joined by an extensive set of support staff, including Strength & Conditioning, Analysis, Nutrition, Psychology and Player Development, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

News, Women's News

Three pathway players sign for Ealing Trailfinders Women

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the signing of three more players who will join our Premier15s squad ahead of our inaugural season in the league, who have all come through our rugby pathways.

Jo Bucknall joins the squad having been part of the Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University, while Annabel Meta and Lauren Knowler have both come through the system at Henley College, who are one of our partner schools.

Jo Bucknall

Jo is an exciting and abrasive young prop who was a crucial part of the team that saw Brunel Women secure promotion to BUCS Women’s Premier South this year, just one below the BUCS Women’s National League, after a playoff victory over the University of Cambridge. Alongside representing Brunel, Jo has also been playing for Richmond in the Women’s Championship South.

When speaking about joining the Premier15s squad, Jo said: “This is such an exciting new chapter and a real privilege getting to play alongside some of the champions of the women’s game!

“Being at the Trailfinders Academy during my Master’s at Brunel University this previous season, along with all of my previous clubs, has helped me prepare for a level-up to the Premier15s where the competition is fierce and I can’t wait to learn and grow with the team next season.”

Brunel Women’s Head Coach Steve Wagstaff said: “It’s great for Jo, who has worked tirelessly throughout the season, and has excelled at BUCS and Championship level.

“Her contribution to the programme and the support she gives her peers is testament to her personality and we hope she is the first of many to come through the Brunel pathway to secure a contract with the Premier15s side.”

Annabel Meta

Annabel is powerful and dynamic number 8 who can also cover the rest of the back row. She has been part of the pathway at one of Ealing Trailfinders’ partner schools, Henley College and she represented England U18s this season in the U18s Six Nations.

On joining the Trailfinders Premier15s squad, Annabel said: “I am delighted to say that I will be a part of Ealing Trailfinders next season.

“I’m looking forward to using the excellent experience I have gained through the Rugby Programme at Henley College and I’m excited for what is to come this year at the club.

Head of Women’s Rugby at Henley College Kim Oliver said: “Annabel is a powerful athlete with huge amounts of potential.

“She has worked incredibly hard on her fundamental skills and her strength and conditioning ever since she joined the programme here and I’m super excited to continue to support her through her Premier 15s journey.”

Lauren Knowler

Lauren is a versatile centre with an exceptional distribution game. She first started playing rugby in Hong Kong at the age of seven, before moving to the UK and joining Henley in 2021. She also represented England U18s this season and both her and Annabel were an important part of Henley College Women finishing second in their debut season in the AOC performance league.

On making the move up to Ealing Trailfinders Women, Lauren said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the Premier15s squad and continuing my journey through the pathway.

“Ever since I joined Henley College my rugby has really improved. The coaches have pushed me every session to make me a better player and they are the reason I’ve made it where I am now.

“I’m excited to see what we can do as a team this season and I’m really grateful to have been given this opportunity and I’m going to make sure I grab it with both hands!”

Head of Women’s Rugby at Henley College Kim Oliver said: “Lauren is a very talented young player with a fantastic distributing game and she makes huge hits, punching above her weight!

“It has been a real pleasure to work with Lauren over the last two years, watching and encouraging her to push herself hard and keep working on the fundamental skills. She has grown as a player and as a leader and I’m really excited to continue working with her as she finds her place within the Premier15s side.”

When speaking about all three of these signings, Ealing Trailfinders Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather said: “To have three outstanding young players sign for the club who have come through our rugby pathways from both Henley College and Brunel University is a sign of things to come.

“Both programmes, along with Cardinal Newman school, give opportunity for young athletes to train and develop as rugby players alongside their academic studies.

“It is our stated intention that several future Trailfinders will have travelled the dual pathway as Jo, Annabel and Lauren have done, developing them as both people and players.

“I’m really excited about all three of these signings, Jo a versatile forward who leads from the front while Annabel is a ferocious ball carrier with a genuine passion for the game. Lauren is a beautiful distributor of the ball with bags of potential in all areas of back play and I can’t wait to see them grow in our environment and realise the potential we see in them.”

Jo, Annabel and Lauren join England Red Roses Abby Dow and Liz Crake as we continue unveiling our Women’s squad to enter the Premier15s next season.

News

Thank You David Johnston (and welcome to the coaching team!)

Ealing Trailfinders can confirm that back David Johnston has retired from playing professional rugby and has joined the coaching team at the club with immediate effect.

Predominantly a fullback, David first joined the club back in 2018 and was part of the team that defeated London Irish in the Championship Cup Final in his first season at the club.

After a winning the Trailfinders Challenge Cup ahead of the reduced 2021 season, David was then an influential part of our historic league-cup double during the 2021/22 season. He played in 20 matches out of a possible 24 last year, starting 19 of them, including the final league game of the season against Richmond where we sealed the title, and the Championship Cup final against Coventry.

After an exciting start to the season this year, including an impressive score against Hartpury, David made the decision to retire from the game after following medical advice. His final appearance was away at Cornish Pirates at the start of December.

An incredible competitor with a great reading of the game, David retires having scored 17 tries in 73 appearances for the club.

He now moves into a coaching role with the Trailfinders, which he has been doing for the second half of this season, but today the club are delighted to formalise the role.

On the news of his retirement, David said: “Obviously I’m disappointed to be hanging up my boots, but after medical advice, I feel now is the right time.

“I’d like to thank all my team mates that I’ve played with over the years, all the coaches and staff who have helped me and all the supporters who have been there to cheer me on. To my family and friends, thank you for always being there for me and for everything you’ve sacrificed so that I could follow my dream of playing rugby.

“Although I won’t be taking to the pitch anymore, I’m really excited about my new role here as I move into working on the coaching team. I sort of just see it as a continuation of my playing career. I really enjoy working with people and helping them improve and I’m really passionate about the game and the club so although my role has slightly changed, the goals are still the same for me.

“The coaching team have been brilliant to help me settle in, Brett and KC I’ve worked with as a player for a while and Fowkesy is a really experienced coach. Wardy has been great, giving me the licence to lead sessions and develop as a coach and I’m excited to learn a lot more from them going forward.”

Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Although it’s a shame that DJ has had to retire from playing, I’m pleased that he will be continuing on with the club and that he will be starting his coaching journey at Trailfinders Sports Club.

“He has already been great over the last few months and his knowledge of the game and attention to detail makes me think he will become an exceptional coach and I’m delighted to have him on board for the upcoming season.”

You can catch an extended interview with David about his retirement and his transition into coaching in today’s episode of On The Trail.

News

Four Trailfinders named in the Championship Rugby Team of the Season

After another great season which saw us retain the Championship Cup at the weekend, four Trailfinders secured their spot in the Championship Rugby Team of the Season.

Out of a full 23 man squad, the green and whites had two players in the starting XV and a further two on the bench.

Up front, Simon Uzokwe managed to retain his place in the team of the season after being named on the openside last year. The back row recorded 15 tries this season across the Championship and Championship Cup, with his strong carrying and electric pace ensuring his spot in the starting team.

The other starter came in the midfield, as Reuben Bird-Tulloch claimed the inside-centre shirt. The exciting runner is capable playing 12 or 13 and was awarded the league’s Player of the Month in February following his fine form. He finished the season on nine tries, including an impressive double in the Cup semi-final against Doncaster Knights.

On the bench, Shaun Malton takes the 16 shirt while Jordan Burns wears 21. They have both had a huge impact on the team, in the games they started as well as the matches they made an impact from the bench, and they finished the season on nine and 11 tries respectively.

The Championship Team of the Season was chosen in collaboration with the Championship Club Podcast. You can listen to the podcast or follow them on socials by clicking here.

The Championship Team of the Season:

15. A.J. Cant (Cornish Pirates)

14. Sean French (Bedford Blues)

13. Will Rigg (Coventry)

12. Reuben Bird-Tulloch (Ealing Trailfinders)

11. Tomi Lewis (Jersey Reds)

10. Pat Pellegrini (Coventry)

9. Will Chudley (Coventry)

1. Sam Grahamslaw (Jersey Reds)

2. Suva Ma’asi (Coventry)

3. Steve Longwell (Jersey Reds)

4. John Kelly (Doncaster Knights)

5. Macauley Cook (Jersey Reds)

6. Morgan Strong (Ampthill)

7. Simon Uzokwe (Ealing Trailfinders)

8. Tui Uru (Bedford Blues)

Replacements

16. Shaun Malton (Ealing Trailfinders)

17. Joe Wrafter (Hartpury)

18. Adam Nicol (Jersey Reds)

19. Ehize Ehizode (Doncaster Knights)

20. John Stevens (Cornish Pirates)

21. Jordan Burns (Ealing Trailfinders)

22. Will Maisey (Bedford Blues)

23. Jordan Olowofela (Nottingham)

News, Women's News

Welcome Liz Crake

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce the signing of England Red Rose Liz Crake ahead of our inaugural season in the Premier15s.

The loosehead has been in fine form this season, and as a result received her first call up to the England squad ahead of this year’s Tik Tok Women’s Six Nations. She went on to make her debut in the opener, England’s 58-7 victory over Scotland and then backed this up the following week with another impressive performance against Italy as the Red Roses won 68-5.

Away from the international scene, Liz is the current captain at Wasps, and although she’s played for her country at prop, she’s an incredibly versatile player, having featured in every position in the pack for the London side, aside from hooker!

Away from the pitch, Liz is a fully qualified and practicing dentist, showing she’s capable of the fine intricacies, as well as the powerful ball carrying!

On her signing, Liz said: “I’m really excited to be joining Ealing Trailfinders next season. It’s a really cool opportunity to be able to build a new team as chances like this don’t come round very often.

“I’m proud to be a part of this historic moment for the club as we enter a Premier15s team for the first time.

“I’m also buzzing to be back working with Giselle (Mather) after she had such a great influence on me when we previously worked together at Wasps.”

Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Giselle Mather said: “Liz is a truly dynamic front-row forward who has a fantastic work rate, a powerful carry and a mean turn of pace!

“She has bags of experience having played in the Premier15s for six years and we’re very excited to be bringing her to Ealing Trailfinders!”

Liz is the club’s second signing for our squad to enter the Premier15s next season, alongside fellow Red Rose Abby Dow.

News, Women's News

Win a Trailfinders shirt signed by Abby Dow

After last week’s exciting news that Red Rose Abby Dow will be joining the club next year, now you have the chance to win a shirt signed by her.

Once we release our women’s kit ahead of the 2023/24 season, one lucky supporter will get their hands on a new shirt which will be signed by the England International!

All you have to do is enter is:

A) Follow us on Twitter or Instagram
B) Like the entry post on Twitter or Instagram
C) Fill in the entry form, which you can do by clicking here.

News

Six more players to depart this summer

Ealing Trailfinders can confirm six more players who will all leave the club this summer.

Adam Korczyk – Ealing Trailfinder #155

Adam Korczyk first joined the club back in 2019 from Super Rugby side Queensland Reds.

The flanker, who is known for for his bone crunching tackles and great work at the breakdown, has made twelve appearances in green and white.

Adam has been incredibly unlucky with injuries over the last couple of seasons, but has reminded diligent and committed in his rehab, and in March fought back from almost a year out to make his return against Richmond. He has been a key part of the final rounds of our campaign this season and has always been a positive influence on the squad since he joined the club and we wish him all the best as he returns to Australia.

Shaun Malton – Ealing Trailfinder #164

After moving to West-London from Bristol Bears in 2020, Shaun Malton has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and versatile hookers in the league.

The 33-year-old is comfortable in the set-piece, as well as being incredibly strong in loose and is able to distribute effectively and put in running lines similar to a back.

His try scoring efforts will be missed from TFSC next season, as he has amassed 19 tries in his 49 appearances for the club.

Max Northcote-Green – Ealing Trailfinder #176

Max Northcote-Green moved to Trailfinders Sports Club in 2021, having joined after a short spell at Exeter Chiefs.

The back-row, who is incredibly effective over the ball and in the loose, has struggled with injury since joining the club, but has always been a hugely positive influence on the squad and is willing to help others and pas on his knowledge.

He did start the final block of matches during last year’s double winning season, wearing the blindside shirt as we clinched the league title against Richmond.

Jack Digby – Ealing Trailfinder #182

Jack Digby came to the Trailfinders in 2021, joining from Australian side Eastern Suburbs.

The back-row, who can play on the blindside or at number 8, has scored five tries in his two years here, as well as providing countless assists for his teammates.

In particular, he has played a crucial role in the second half of this season making the number 8 shirt his own after Rayn Smid’s injury, or providing a huge impetus from the bench.

Jack Grant – Ealing Trailfinder #202

Jack Grant has made a real impact in his short time at the club, after joining from the NSW Waratahs at the start of this season.

In his four appearances, Grant has scored three tries, including a superb brace against Hartpury, one of which was a solo run which started inside his own 22!

Peter Robb – Ealing Trailfinder #204

The powerful runner joined the club this season from URC side Connacht.

In a season that was disrupted by injury, the centre made three appearances for Trailfinders, including a strong performance away in Jersey, as we fell to the hosts by just a point in the Championship Cup.

When speaking about all the departures, Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Every season is full of ups and downs, and one of these down moments is when we have to say goodbye to those who are moving on at the end of the season.

“Both Adam and Noggers have been incredibly unfortunate with injuries throughout their time here, but their hard work to make it back to full fitness has been commendable, and whenever they’ve been on the pitch they’ve always given their all. My only regret is that we didn’t see them more times in green and white.

“Malts has been superb throughout the last three years, both in the set-piece and in the loose and has always popped up with important moments when we’ve needed them. Diggers has really grown throughout his time here, being a really effective ball carrier and a crucial part of the last couple of months.

“Although Jack and Peter’s spells in West-London have been short, their impetus and work around the club have been exceptional and I wish them all the best for whatever is next for them.”

These departures come after the earlier announcement that Will Davis, Lewis Thiede and Alun Walker will also be departing Ealing Trailfinders this summer.

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Thank You Alun Walker

The longest serving playing member of our squad, who’s been here since 2014 and has won every trophy the club has won since turning professional!

Alun Walker – Ealing Trailfinder #31

Alun Walker has the impressive accolade of being able to say he is the only player to have won every trophy the club has won since it turned professional.

After joining the club nine years ago in 2014, he helped the club gain promotion back to the Championship during his opening season.

Winning the last ever British & Irish Cup in 2018 was then joined in his medal collection a year later, as he was part of the squad that defeated London Irish in the Championship Cup final in 2019.

Alun was the first ever Ealing Trailfinders centurion during the club’s professional era, as he went on to win three more trophies, the Trailfinders Challenge Cup in 2021 and the Championship League-Cup double in 2021/22.

A versatile hooker who is as exceptional at his line-out throwing and scrummaging as he is in the loose, having amassed over 70 tries during his nine years at the club.

When speaking about the last nine years at the club, Alun said: “The last nine years at the club have absolutely flown by and I think sometimes we have to stop to think about how far we’ve come from being in National One to now consistently fighting for trophies in the Championship.

“I think if I look at how much I’ve changed since when I first joined, I’ve not only loved improving as a rugby player, but also improving my relationships with people both on and off the pitch, and although I’m now leaving the club, these relationships that I’ve made here will now probably last for the rest of my life.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Lunny’s been our longest serving member of the squad who has been an incredible player for the club over the years.

“He’s probably best known as a set piece hooker, but I also think he’s one of the most skilful hookers I’ve worked with – somehow people still fall for his dummies!

“Although he’s had injuries, he’s always come back stronger as a player and he will always be remembered here at the club and I just want to thank him for all his service in green and white.”

You can watch a full interview with Alun by clicking here.

News

Thank You Lewis Thiede

After five incredible seasons over two spells at TFSC, we can confirm that Lewis Thiede will be moving on at the end of the year.

Lewis Thiede – Ealing Trailfinder #68

Lewis Thiede first joined the club back back in 2016, an instantly became one of the best scrummagers in the league.

His work in the set piece, helped the Trailfinders win the final British & Irish Cup in 2018. His performances throughout the season secured a move to Bristol Bears in the Premiership.

After two strong years in the West-Country, when the opportunity arose to return to West-London in 2020, he took it with both hands! He slotted back into the environment perfectly, as he went on to win the Trailfinders Challenge Cup in 2021 and the Championship and Championship Cup in 2021/22.

Although he’s only scored three tries throughout his time in green and white, his dominance at the scrum was invaluable during his time here and everyone at Ealing Trailfinders wish him all the best for the future.

When speaking about his memories of the club, Lewis Thiede said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time here and although it’s sad that it’s coming to an end, I can’t thank everyone enough who’s been involved throughout my journey here.

“I feel like I had such a genuine connection with so many people here, both the boys and the coaches and staff, and hopefully we can finish it all off on a high on Saturday!”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Ever since he came to the club Lewis has been a self-confessed ‘different’ character. He’s changed a lot since he first joined back in 2016, but his scrummaging quality has remained at the top of the tree since he first arrived here.

“He will always be an important part of our history and I look forward to watching and following him through what ever his next steps are!”

You can watch a full interview with Lewis about his departure by clicking here.