Buckland Takes Up Park Hot Seat
Former Leicester Tiger appointed head coach at Rosslyn Park
Following the conclusion of another successful National One campaign, the Club is delighted to announce the appointment of former Leicester Tiger James Buckland as head coach.
After a playing career which saw him turn out for some of the country’s biggest club sides, including Tigers and Wasps, Buckland went on to play for England Saxons, before moving into the professional coaching arena as forwards coach at London Scottish three seasons ago.
He took up the top job early last year, leading Scottish to an impressive fifth place finish in the Championship. He has most recently fulfilled an interim role as forwards coach at London Welsh.
Buckland, who has signed a three-year deal, formally begins his new role on 1 June but with a relatively short turn-around before the senior squad report back for pre-season, has already begun planning for the coming months.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining Park. I’ve found the off-field operations, the planned developments associated with the ground and the vision, energy and ambition of the board very impressive,” said Buckland, 33.
“The squad has a lot of talent and that has clearly been displayed in the past couple of years. It’s great that so many of them have committed for at least another season, and that will stand us in good stead when it comes to building momentum in pre-season. The Club is in a really healthy place and I’m looking forward to playing a part in shaping its future.”
Park managing director Shaun Justice was pleased to have secured the services of one of the brightest young coaches in the country, with thoughts turning quickly to the 2015-16 season:
“James coming on board is a testimony to what we have achieved, and are aspiring to, at Park. With so many exciting things happening on and off the field at the moment, it’s great to be able to bring in someone of such quality,” he said.
“On the pitch we’re in really good shape and with a settled playing group, we’re going in the right direction. There’s the ground re-development to look forward to over the summer and with membership at all levels continuing to grow, the club really is in a strong position to kick on again next year.
“Having met James on a number of occasions in the past few weeks it quickly became apparent that he was just the man we were looking for – ambitious, honest and someone who wants to succeed. He felt the same about the club so it was a ‘win-win’ all-round.”
May 1, 2015