October 2nd, 2006

Former RFUW Academy coach Gary Street is joining the England Women’s Elite coaching team for the 2006 2007 season.

Street will join Graham Smith as an England assistant coach and both coaches will work alongside Head Coach Geoff Richards.

Additionally, Street will continue to oversee the planning and preparation of the Under 19s squad while Smith will also oversee the planning and preparation of the A squad.

Giselle Mather, who has been working as an assistant coach with the England squad, will now continue her own professional development by becoming Head Coach of the England Under 19s.

Street said: “This is a very exciting challenge and I am looking forward to working with the current crop of England players, who did a fantastic job in the recent IRB Rugby World Cup to finish second, and developing the next generation of international stars as we start the new cycle of building towards the 2010 Rugby World Cup.

“I have really enjoyed working with the players in the Youth Development Programme, but I know that initiative will continue to strive with the development of players in very strong hands.”

Carol Isherwood, the RFUW’s director of rugby, added: “This change will allow the full time coaches the opportunity to oversee an allocated number of individual elite players, whilst also ensuring continuity and consistency between all squads.”

Ends…