Jay Woodley has been named as All Golds’ full time schools’ and community clubs’ development officer.
 
He will be based at Churchdown School and his love for the 13-a-side code played a big part in him landing his new role.

“I have fallen in love with the sport and aim to create communities whereby Rugby League is at the heart,” he said.

The appointment is very much with a view to supporting the Cheltenham Phoenix club too and the Rugby Football League’s Marc Lovering, who is director of participation and development, said: “We are delighted to see the All Golds continue to invest in Rugby League in Cheltenham, Gloucester and the surrounding areas.

“The appointment of Jay Woodley will be significant in continuing to develop the game and we will be working closely with Jay and the wider All Golds team to give more players both male and female the opportunity to play rugby league.

“The All Golds have been instrumental in delivering rugby league, particularly in the school setting and through England Talent Pathway Development Days and this is something we will continue to support and build upon.”
 
Woodley has been a popular member of the All Golds’ coaching panel and played a significant part in the ‘Golden Fern’s’ double title-winning season of 2018. His route into the sport is one that all involved will expect to be a blueprint for further recruitment.
 
“I played rugby union from around the age of 10 until I went to college where I discovered the Bristol Academy for Rugby League, which is where I fell in love with the sport,” said the Bristolian.

“I was exposed to great coaching through Tom James and Dan Garbutt which then allowed me to continue my interest in playing the game and then coaching it through university and having a placement with Tom to start coaching the sport more formally. I then progressed to the All Golds and so furthered my coaching to a higher standard of Rugby League.”
 
The club has worked hard over the last year to return the sport to the county’s schools’ sporting calendar and the return of the 1908 Cup for boys and the Golden Fern Cup for girls has been well received. All of which is underpinned by the successful Primary Schools’ Festival.

All Golds’ director Martin Lovegrove added: “We are excited by the possibilities that this position will create to grow the game of rugby league within this region. We are delighted to have such a fine young coach as Jay on board.”