Tynedale has today announced the appointment of Andy Buist to lead the senior rugby club for the 2015-16 season.
The announcement comes following the club’s first relegation in league history and the departure of former Director of Rugby John Shotton and head coach Tom Borthwick in May.
A former age group international lock forward and long serving Newcastle Falcon, Andy has played for and captained Tynedale for the last two seasons and is stepping up to the senior coaching role on the back of previous coaching experience with Westoe and Morpeth as well as England Counties U20 and Northumbria University.
Neil Foster, Chief Executive elect at Tynedale, commented “We are delighted that Andy has agreed to lead the senior rugby section of the club into what we expect will be an exciting season in National Division Two North. Andy has quality experience as a player and coach and is certain to command the respect and support of the coaching team and players alike. Most importantly, he totally understands our desire to reignite the ‘Tynedale Ethos’ and to strengthen player participation at all levels throughout the Club.”
Tynedale expect to announce the arrival of several new players before the start of pre-season training in July but Andy Buist expects plans for the new season to be well advanced before scheduled warm up home fixtures against Boroughmuir and Wharfedale on 22nd and 29th August respectively. Andy Buist added “I am inheriting a squad with some real talent and deep rooted ambition to play for and perform well for Tynedale Rugby Club and we only expect that to be strengthened with new arrivals and structured development of our own young players. From what I have seen over the last two seasons I am not surprised that Tynedale has such an enviable reputation in the national leagues for producing home grown talent.”
Neil Foster concluded “Andy has been a real asset to the club as a player, assistant coach and 1st XV captain and I can see him continuing to shine in this new role. The club is buzzing with positivity and the new season can’t come soon enough for the players.”