By Toby Costar Coventry Rugby can today confirm that Northampton Saints’ Elite Player Development Group Manager Ross Stewart has joined the club as Development Academy Head Coach for the 2018/2019 season.
The 38-year- old joins Coventry on a part-time basis to coincide with his current role at Franklin’s Gardens.
Stewart has spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge as their Director of Rugby and has led them to a 10 th place finish in National League One this season.
Rowland Winter brings in his former colleague to Butts Park Arena to take the helm of the newly former Development Academy, with new recruit Will Flinn and current Coventry players Cameron Gray and Joe Lane already having signed up to the new-look Academy
squad.
Ross Stewart at Cambridge Rugby on 25/08/16. Photo: Vikki Lince
Winter expressed his delight with his former coaching colleague joining the Blue and White’s and laid out detail into his new role for the Development Academy.
He said: “Ross is an experienced coach, who has specialised in player development at Premiership level with Saints for nearly 15 years, helping talented players progress along the pathway towards the senior team.
“Over half the current Saints 1 st XV have progressed through the Academy pathway during Ross’ time at Saints and this is exactly the remit of his new role with us at Coventry.
“He will be a great addition to our coaching team and will provide strong guidance for our talented development squad players to help them progress towards the 1st XV.
He added: The Development Academy will be running at a higher standard next season, with a group of approximately 20 players training on Tuesday and Thursday evening to prepare for tougher fixtures, and with additional weekly sessions alongside the Senior playing group.
“They will play approximately 18 fixtures, which will allow them to develop and push for 1st XV opportunities, whilst playing alongside senior players who need additional game time.
“With Ross’ involvement alongside the senior coaches, and our excellent support staff, we will be investing more into this group to drive more home grown young talent through the pathway towards the 1st XV.”
