Worcester Warriors is delighted to confirm that highly rated coach Tony Windo is to continue his long association with the Sixways club as part of Richard Hill’s new-look backroom team.
Former prop legend Windo joined the coaching set-up at Warriors in a full-time role in 2008 after calling time on a playing career that saw him play over 400 senior games for home-town club Gloucester and Worcester.
Windo has continued to make a contribution to the Warriors squad in a coaching capacity as he has passed on his vast knowledge and been hugely influential in the development of a number of young home-grown front row stars such as England international Matt Mullan.
As part of the new coaching set-up at Warriors, Windo will now become a Skills Development and Scrum Coach at Sixways, a role that will see him work closely with all the front row forwards in both the Warriors and Academy squads. He will specialise in scrummaging skills work with the Warriors under the guidance of an as yet appointed Forwards Coach but will also oversee the development of the Club’s future Academy forwards.
Windo will also take on the Head Coach role at Stourbridge RFC as Warriors look to build stronger links with the National Division One club. Warriors hope to be able to place a number of coaches and young players with Stourbridge RFC as part of their continual development programme over the coming years.
Andrew Stanley becomes Head of Skill Development and Academy Manager. He will continue to head up the successful Academy system that has again received a strong endorsement from the RFU and PRL (Premier Rugby) and that put its 33rd player into the full Warriors squad at the end of last season when Louis Silver made his debut.
Richard Hill, Head Coach at Warriors, is delighted that Windo will remain part of his new-look coaching team, having previously worked with him during his spell at Gloucester.
“I’ve known Tony for a long time and was fortunate to get to know him when I was coaching at Gloucester and he was there as a player. I have a lot faith and trust in him,” said Hill.
“Tony has mentored a number of our front row players and I really respect that work. I also want that continuity at the club, someone here who knows the players and set-up and who really wants to bring success to Sixways.”
Windo admitted he was looking forward to his role at Warriors and Stourbridge as he looks to continue his own development.
“Worcester Warriors means a great deal to me so it’s fantastic that I can continue my work here and assist with the development process back into the Premiership,” said Windo. “I’m looking forward to the new challenge of continuing to shape the Warriors scrum to be a force in the Championship and back in the top-flight.
“I’m also keen to have a real impact at Stourbridge. They are an ambitious club that wants to progress into the Championship and I hope to play a big part in that process. The link up with Warriors will mean that young talent from Sixways can play at the club for the undoubted benefit of Stourbridge.”
Charlie Little, General Manager at Warriors, explained the benefits of a closer link up with Stourbridge.
He said: “We have recognised the strategic importance of creating close links with another strong Midlands club. Now that we are in the Championship, we are fortunate to have Stourbridge RFC close by and following initial discussions with their Chairman, it became evident that this could be mutually beneficial. We both want young English players living in the North and West Midlands to be plying their trade at local clubs. We want to create a route to Professional Rugby at elite level for all aspiring young players and so this relationship is an important one.
“From the Warriors’ point of view, having Tony working as Head Coach at Stourbridge will be hugely beneficial for all concerned. Most importantly, he is a very well regarded coach and we want to keep him with the Warriors. He has developed Matt Mullan into an England international and we envisage others following him. We also hope that Tony will develop himself further as an all-round coach with both the Academy and Stourbridge and this is all part of our long term strategic plan. Stourbridge RFC offers our young players the chance to play a high level rugby, every week, in front of Tony and the other coaches who in turn can report back to Richard Hill. He will also see a lot of National Division One and this we hope will help our future recruitment. Hopefully for Stourbridge, the new association will be equally as beneficial and only time will tell.”