The Cootamundra Rugby Club has announced tough-as-nails forward Josh Hudson as their Tricolours coach for 2017.
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Hudson takes over the coaching reigns from Mick Gay, who will still be affiliated with the club.
He lives and breathes rugby, having grown up on the sport and first pulled on a Tricolours jumper six seasons ago.
Hudson always thought he would coach one day, however has taken up the mantle sooner than he anticipated.
That said, he is looking forward to the challenge of playing and coaching and continuing the good work of Gay from last year, which was also Cootamundra’s first season in the Central West Rugby Competition.
“Mick did a really good job last year changing the culture and I’m keen to build on that,” Hudson said.
The club went from struggling for numbers to field two teams in the Southern Inland competition to having a plethora of players available for their one Central West competition team.
Mick did a really good job last year changing the culture and I’m keen to build on that.
- 2017 coach Josh Hudson
The addition of a women’s side, the Tricolettes, also helped towards building a new, more positive culture.
The club started training last week with 15 blokes turning up to Country Club Oval on Tuesday and nine braving the heat on Thursday.
Their season will not start until Saturday, April 22 but with the Tens Tournament, which Cootamundra will host, on the horizon for Saturday, March 18, Hudson is working towards getting a jump on team fitness.
"We want everyone to be fit and ready for physical contact so we are not dealing with injuries while the pre-season is still going on,” Hudson said.
To achieve the team’s fitness goals, Hudson will be ably assisted by former player and professional personal trainer Ben Brown.
Brown will impart some of the skills he uses in new business Roar Health and Fitness to keep the boys game-day ready.
The Tricolours enjoyed success in their inaugural year with the Central West competition making it to the grand final, however fell at the final hurdle going down to Blayney 31-12.
They will be hoping to go one better this year and bring home a title.
With a number of returning players and strong interest from new players, they look well set up to emulate their success.
The Cootamundra Rugby Club will be led by new president Justin Roberts this season, who takes on the role from Bob Scott.
