Senior Club Coaching and Support Staff
Coaching Team
Andy Foley
Head Coach/Director of Rugby
In his second season with Maidstone Rugby, Andy has a successful and impressive track record in coaching having spent 5 years with Dorking RFC and was instrumental in achieving 3 promotions and lifting the RFU Junior Vase at national level with a record winning points margin. Prior to that Andy was part of a successful coaching team with Westcombe Park’s senior squad. Andy cut his coaching teeth during the 1990s in the county leagues with involvement at both Lordswood and near neighbours Aylesford and continues to be involved with representative rugby for both Kent & Surrey.
Hayden Mitchell
Forwards Coach/Player
Hayden, a 25 yr old, 6’4” and 19st 2nd Row/No8 and joins the club from having played the 2010/11 season as part of the successful Melrose RFC 1st XV who lifted this season’s Scottish Premiership title in addition to reaching both the Scottish and Borders Cup Finals. Prior to his time in the Scottish Borders, Hayden was a 1st XV player for 6 seasons with NZ club Shirley Vikings RFC in Christchurch, and captain in his final year. In addition he also played in the Canterbury B side for two seasons.
Hayden takes up the role as senior forwards coach but with a wider remit to assist coaches across the both youth and senior elements of the club as well as conducting outreach coaching in local schools.
Pete Barford
Mustangs & Development Coach
Pete is well known in Maidstone rugby circles and has a particular pedigree in identifying and developing young talent, something which is evident from his successful youth coaching experience, where in recent years he has coached two of the club’s sides to a number of successes, five Kent Cups including two Kent League Cups together with victory at a National Competition for County Champions.
Pete has particular responsibility for the Mustangs XV and also as Development Coach, where as well as identifying young talent he will be working with young players to improve skills and also aid the transition from youth to senior rugby.
Shaun Neaves
Coach
Shaun joined the club in 1984 as prop forward in the under 17’s,an age group, he then moved into the Colts and played in the successful side of 1985/6 that remained unbeaten and also won Kent Cup. Shaun has represented the club at all levels making his 1st XV debut aged 21 against a Blackheath side that was playing in National 2. Shaun played for the 1st XV at National League and London 1 level, as well as captaining the clubs Mustangs XV. Injury forced his retirement when following a third knee operation in 1995 he was forced to hang up his boots. Since then he has been involved in coaching and administration at Colts & Mustangs level and also as 1st XV Manager. Shaun’s current emphasis remains in the coaching field where following two seasons coaching the Mustangs XV he now applies his astute observations to the 1st XV’s forwards play.
Fin Davis
Coach/1st XV Manager
Fin started his rugby career at Tiffin Boys School in Kingston and he was part of a successful age group that were finalists in the Shell UK 7’s. At senior level Fin has represented London Scottish and Esher as well as a number of appearances for Manly RFC in Australia. Since 2004 Fin has had spells with Tunbridge Wells and Westcombe Park before settling with Maidstone in 2006. He was part of the successful squad that won the Cornwallis Cup at the 2007 Spitfire 7’s.
Fin brings several years experience as a youth level coach at London Scottish where his sides took the trophy as Edinburgh Festival winners and Surrey & Middx Cup winners for 4 consecutive seasons. Alongside his RFU coaching qualifications Fin has coaching experience from Australia. This experience is all reinforced with an Honours degree in Sport Science from Kingston University. Following two seasons coaching the the Mustangs XV this season sees Fin take on a leading role with the club as 1st XV Manager and Video Analyst..
Nigel Maddaford
Chairman of Selectors
Senior Player Liaison
Martin Arnold
Physiotherapy Support
Sadie Jones BSc (Hons)
Sports Therapist
1st XV
Sadie graduated from London Metropolitan University with a Sports Therapy degree in 2003 and from St Marys College in 2007 with a PostGrad diploma in Sports Rehabilitation. She then worked with Arsenal Ladies between 2001 and 2007. She is currently a lecturer at the University of Kent in Chatham.
Sadie is a holder of a Sports Massage Association diploma and also holds a full sports first aid certificate. Sadie’s role at the club is to provide sports therapy and rehabilitation support to the first team on match days and provides the rest of the club with treatment and injury management.
Sadie is part of the RFU Hamstring prevention group and is undertaking a PhD with the RFU, looking at how to reduce the incidence of hamstring injuries.
Catherine Grundy BSc (Hons)
Physiotherapist
Mustangs XV
Catherine graduated from University of Salford in 2006 with a degree in Physiotherapy. She worked with Hull Rugby Union FC during the 2005-06 season. Alongside her role with Maidstone Catherine also works with the Kent Ravens Rugby League team as head physiotherapist. Her full time role is as a physiotherapist in the community for people with learning disabilities. Catherine provides the physiotherapy support to the Mustangs XV on match days and club physio support and injury management on Monday evenings alongside Sadie.
Anna Rooke BSc (Hons)
Osteopath
Anna graduated from Leeds University with a Biomedical Sciences degree in 2004. Following this Anna undertook a degree in Osteopathy at the European School of Osteopathy and graduated in 2008. Anna joined the physiotherapy team in 2008 and provides rolling cover for the Mustangs XV on match days. She works in private practices in Romford and Redhill, and is also at the Village hotel in Maidstone (www.maidstoneosteopathy.com). Anna is fully trained in manipulation, dry needling, craniosacral technique and sports massage.
