I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Matiu Ratana our new Colts Head Coach and Transition Officer to the club. Mat will build on the excellent work done by David Burton last year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his hard work and commitment in shaping a team with excellent prospects. We wish you well for the future and should the opportunity arise we would love to utilise your coaching expertise on our team again.

The Colts squad is the final step of the ladder as a junior rugby player and is a vitally important time in the transition from junior to senior rugby. As a club we strive to help our young players progress to whatever level of rugby they want too, whether that is a first or third team player or playing rugby at university.

Mat will have two important roles to focus on in this position. Firstly, to help players develop technically, tactically, physically, emotionally and cognitively to ensure that they can compete and enjoy their rugby within the Colts setting. Secondly, help senior coaches identify players and opportunities for players to play senior rugby when they don't have Colts commitments. I feel this is a great way for them to feel part of the senior club before they finish colts and potentially go off to university and over the past few years has proved to be a great introduction for a number of young players who have subsequently progressed through the senior teams.

Mat is originally from the Hawke's Bay New Zealand. He was educated at Palmerston North Boy's High School where his passion for the game grew at a school which has produced a number of All Blacks as well as being consistently competitive within New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby. Whilst at Otago University he played club rugby for Ravensbourne RFC in the Dunedin premiership competition. Having travelled to the UK in 1989 he played for London Irish RFC and over the preceding years played for a number of West London clubs.

Playing
1980-84 Palmerston North Boys' High School, NZ 1985-88 Ravensbourne RFC, Dunedin 1989-1993 London Irish RFC Sunbury 1994 Richmond RFC Richmond, 1995-2003 MPRFC Imbert Court 2010-2013, Old Walcountians RFC Surrey

Coaching
2017/18 Hove Colts and Seniors
Role as Colts forwards and defence coach Seniors player mentor and video analysis. Highlight - Colts narrowly losing to Horsham in the Cup Final and 1st XV being promoted from London South East 2 to the London Leagues.
2016/17 Worthing Seniors Growing a depleted senior section to over 40 registered players and maintaining a position in Sussex 1.

Mat says: “I am looking forward to working with the Colts in order to develop and retain future 1st team players as well supporting their overall development and transition into adult rugby. I appreciate I have a great squad as well as being ably supported by Stephen Busby, Byron Tomkinson and their team”.

I would like to finish by reminding all coaches that we have a coaches meeting on Wednesday 4th July at 7.30pm at the club. Your attendance would be very much appreciated as we will be looking at ways to help us all improve for the next season and offer the best possible opportunities for all our players from U6-U18 boys, U13/U15/U18 girls and Senior men and women.

Rhodri Lewis
Director of Rugby
East Grinstead RFC