Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties are delighted to announce the appointment of Rowland Winter as our ‘Club Eastern Counties’ Director of Rugby.

There have been significant changes in the Player Development Structure within Eastern Counties as an outcome of changes brought about by the RFU directing that development of U 16 year old players with significant potential is now to be led by Northampton Saints in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and Leicester Tigers in Norfolk. Underlying this Eastern Counties retains responsibility for the delivery of Representative Teams at U 16 and above, through to the Senior XV's within both the male and female game.

Throughout the last few years much effort has been directed in trying to bring about the vision of 'Club Eastern Counties', this being a unified, streamlined and sustainable programme of rugby taking players from youth level to Senior Rugby.

Rowland Winter will be working to deliver the vision of 'Club Eastern Counties' within a programme of rugby now taking players from U16 to Senior Level.

Backed with the full support of Eastern Counties, Rowland Winter will drive 'Club Eastern Counties' to be an environment that Players and Coaches will aspire to belong, a model of national best practice and with a culture of excellence, success and enjoyment.

'Club Eastern Counties' will be a playing and coaching environment that aims to provide the best possible experience for players, coaches and all stakeholders. It will complement the progress made at School, Club, County and RFU level, and be fully aligned with the growing involvement of our two Premiership clubs, Saints and Tigers.

Making Club Eastern Counties a reality will require the very best talent in every position, on and off the pitch, supported by the best available resources.

To that end, Eastern Counties will shortly be announcing key appointments, and sharing with everyone in Eastern Counties how they can get involved in the programme.

We hope that everyone will support our ambition and our exciting appointments.