From Luctonians Rugby Club;
Ryan Watkins, Luctonians Head Coach, will be standing down at the end of this season, bringing to an end an 11 year stint at the club that has included Ryan overseeing the most successful period in our club’s history.
Ryan joined Lucs back in 2014 as a Backs Coach, before going on to become Head Coach in 2017. Whilst the club endured relegation in that first season, Ryan oversaw a side that was promoted back to the National Leagues at the first time of asking in 2018/19 from Midlands Premier Division, winning a playoff against Blaydon, having finished 2nd in the standings.
In our first season back at National League level, survival was achieved in the season curtailed by Covid, before Ryan’s side produced repeated improvements in the following seasons, with an 8th placed finish in 2021/22, a 4th placed finish in the new National League West in 2022/23, and then a 2nd placed finish last season, falling just short to Champions Dings Crusaders, but having achieved the club’s greatest ever season of success.
This term has not been plain sailing, with the side unable to reach the heights of last season, but Ryan will leave Lucs with the club in a really strong place after his time in charge, having developed an excellent group of players and coaches during his tenure.
Chairman of Luctonians Senior Rugby Committee, Mike Powell, said of Ryan ‘During Ryan’s time at the club he has brought in a sense of professionalism to our training and developed the culture and ability of our home-grown players immensely.
“As a club we will be forever indebted to him for taking the side on a wonderful journey over recent seasons, with back-to-back best ever finishes for Luctonians.
“During Ryan’s time, the growth in player numbers at the club, and improvements in the strength in depth, as displayed by the achievements of the 2nd and 3rd XVs over recent seasons, shows what a great job he has done. We wish him only the best, as he takes a well-deserved break away from Mortimer Park.’
Ryan will leave Lucs with a record as Head Coach of having overseen 190 games, and a record of 104 wins, 2 draws and 83 defeats. With one more game remaining Ryan leaves with a very respectable win percentage of 55% from his seven seasons in charge.
On behalf of the club we are sure every single person associated to Lucs would join us in wishing Ryan and his family the absolute best for the future and thank him sincerely for his service over a great number of years. We hope as many of you as possible will show up for the final game against Hinckley to give him the send-off he richly deserves.
Ryan’s successor is actively being sought, and we will announce them along with a new coaching structure at the earliest opportunity.
