Harrogate Rugby Club has appointed Martyn Wood as its new director of rugby.
The former Harrogate Grammar School student will replace David ‘Doc’ Doherty, who announced he will step down at the end of the season.
Wood joins Harrogate following a long playing career with Wasps, Bath and England. He also had coaching roles at Hull Ionians and Yorkshire Carnegie.
The club will end this season bottom of National League 2 North.
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The club has also announced that Sam Fox will continue as head coach next season.
Fox was appointed to the role at the start of this season after previously being head coach of the academy.
Aled Jones will take up the role of head of rugby transition.
Jones will be responsible for supporting young players as they move from the academy to senior rugby and will manage and coach the Georgians next season.
‘Legendary’ PE teacher retires from Harrogate Grammar School“Legendary” PE teacher Roy Mackay has retired from Harrogate Grammar School after 32 years.
During his career at the school, the Scotsman taught thousands of children sport — and is best known for his passion for rugby union.
He is a distinguished rugby coach, coaching countless teams of boys and girls at the school. He also coached North England, Scottish Exiles and Yorkshire junior sides.
Mr Mackay has coached thousands of students over more than three decades
Several of his former Harrogate Grammar School pupils have gone on to play the sport professionally, including Martyn Wood who represented England and played for Wasps and Bath.
Hundreds of pupils at the school have enjoyed the sports tours Roy has organised, to countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Holland, Canada, USA, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.
He was also pivotal in starting girls’ rugby at the school.
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Richard Sheriff, CEO of the Red Kite Learning Trust, said:
“Roy is dedicated, charismatic, compassionate and utterly dedicated to supporting young people in taking an active part in the game.
“Over the last four decades Roy has volunteered many hours of his time which reflects the sheer selflessness and endless enthusiasm he has brought to Harrogate Grammar School and wider community. Roy has been a father figure to thousands of students.
“He works with the same enthusiasm with beginners in Year 7 as he does with the elite of the first 15 in the Sixth Form. He seeks no personal glory or attention but quietly goes about his business giving countless hours of his own time in the service of young people and rugby.”