Throughout this current period, we would like to take the time to acknowledge all the hard work and effort that is made by our volunteer coaches, administrators, first aiders, etc., across the club. They really are the lifeblood of the club and the folk that enable us to provide a welcoming and enjoyable experience for our players, parents, members and visitors.

In order to do this on a personal level rather than a generic gesture, we are running a series of posts on the website and our social media platforms, each one focusing on an individual age group.

Thank you again for everything you do, it is hugely appreciated, and we couldn’t do it without you.

U14's Group Bio

The U14’s develop every year – they were a slow burner of a squad, but are now starting to realise their own potential and growing into a self-policing group of young men

U14's Coaches “Who’s Who”:

Name	Day Job	Why I love rugby?	Favourite player of all time?	Favourite moment/Favourite thing about Lichfield Rugby Club?
Jon “The Boss” Tonks - Head Coach	One of the brothers in Tonks Brothers Tree Services	Beer & Mates	Christian Cullen	Obliterating JP in the dads and lads U8’s (non-contact) session!
JP “Capt Carpark” Allen - The Manager	Construction Director – One brick on top of another	There is a place for absolutely everyone – size, shape, ability, playing or non-playing. Plus, the people you meet on what has turned out to be a life-long journey	Jonathan Davies – 5’ 9” – 12st 4lb – excelled at Union and League – brought excitement to the game. What else could you ask for?	Getting the eyes from Graham Rowntree – while reffing an U8’s Festival semi final. How our club embraces the scrapes that our kids get into – let’s not mention the red hand gang!
Andrew “Hollywood” Squires - Coach and translator to the players	Consultant Nerd	Why rugby? Because where else do you combine athleticism, fitness, speed, power, strength, smart fast thinking, tactics, strategy, skill, toughness, aggression, teamwork, respect, discipline to the extent rugby does? There's a place for everyone and something everyone can contribute to. Success comes from everyone playing their part and relying on your team mates to do the same. That brings a kind of camaraderie you don't find in any other game.	Impossible to pick a favourite, but currently really enjoying watching the pure physicality and tenacity brought to the game by players like Sam Underhill and Joe Launchbury. Their work rate in the middle of the pitch is an example to young players.	There are regularly great moments of reward coaching U14’s at Lichfield. Those moments where a concept clicks with a player and they put it into practice successfully. Those occasions when players come together to encourage and mentor each other as teammates. Most of all when the players come off the pitch after a session where they've given their all, totally exhausted, but having enjoyed every minute. But I save my favourite moment for the first game one of our age group plays for the Lichfield First XV (or maybe for the first county callup, then the first England cap) ?
Will “Show me the Tour” Parker Forwards Coach and Judge/Jury	Business Development Director in the Housebuilding Industry	Because I was rubbish at football and rugby was more inclusive!! I love the teamwork, camaraderie, life-long friendships and respect that being part of the Lichfield, and the wider Rugby family has brought me, and on the playing side I loved the attrition!	Probably Martin Johnson as we were contemporaries, but there are many candidates!	Favourite moments have to be our John Player Cup runs in the 80’s, fantastic! But the favourite thing for me about the Club is the feeling of Family and belonging, and watching the progression of the Boys and Girls to the senior ranks
Jason “let’s go out” Gwilt - Coach with special responsibility for endless optimism	Sales Partner - Orthopaedic medical bits and bots for surgery – non rugby hospital frequent visitor!!	Teamwork, competition, the values it represents and generally the rugby community	Manu Tuilagi – I got to give him a cuddle on the Tigers pitch – it would be fair to say I could not get my arms around his shoulders	The first beer after the Spring Mini/Midi festival has wrapped up and sinking into the club chair!
Sam “Stato” Oxford - 2 Years as Head Coach Now Conditioning & Technique Lead	Principal Lecturer Biomechanics & Strength Conditioning	Right shape ball and it’s a game for life – unlike those bags at the supermarket	Will Parker – he exemplifies all there is to the game of rugby including the social side.	The U14’s warm up – the look on the players’ faces when they are told if its good enough for elite athletes it won’t hurt them. ? ? ?
Pete “Super Fan” Wiles – 2 Years as Head Coach – Currently Coach	Promotes Combine Harvesters (and other agricultural equipment) ?(Brand Manager and Southern Territory Manager for HARDI)	Why do I enjoy rugby? It’s a great team sport with a fantastic ethos, but mainly extremely fun and inclusive.	Favourite player has to be Jonny Wilkinson for the way he conducts himself both on and off the pitch, plus he’s a very nice down to earth guy. He even took my phone off me and recorded a fabulous inspirational message for my son when I met him, top bloke??	Favourite moment, scoring 4 tries at Twickenham during a touch tournament ?
Simon “On a Hammock” Roberts Coach	MD of a landscape gardening business	I love the physical contact and life-long friends you make through rugby	Jonah Lomu	I love watching the team play with a belly full of Barry’s food and a few pints
Jon “No!!” Cooper - First Aid & Safeguarding	Design Delivery Manager (Rail) -Signals and stuff to keep the trains moving and safe	The development of the children into players and young adults.	Brian Moore	Tour, Festivals, dressing up & Coaches night out, ending up in the local food establishment