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All Whites praised for coaching initiative
Herald Express 05/11/08

NEWTON Abbot back-row forward Ben Rowntree is settling into his new role as the community rugby coach for Teignbridge.

Similar positions are a common concept in tennis, cricket and especially soccer, where leading professional and part-time clubs have community departments.

Rugby has been slow to cotton on to the possible benefits, although there have been similar positions created in North Devon, Tiverton and Exeter in the past.

Rowntree's post is for three years and will take him out into schools and clubs in the Teignbridge Council area.

Backroom boys at Newton Abbot have been working with Devon RFU for more than two years to get the funding in place to pay Rowntree's wages and expenses.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, among them Glendinning's mineral company, Europlas Windows, Devon RFU, South Dartmoor School and the National Lottery Awards for All scheme, the post is secure.

Rob Masters, the rugby development officer for Devon RFU, outlined the nature of Rowntree's job at launch presentation in Newton's clubrooms last Sunday.

Speaking beforehand he said: "Newton Abbot have put their money where their mouth is by getting the sponsorship together to make this happen.

"I would like to see other clubs try to do the same thing. I find it disappointing that there is no similar post in Torbay – and little likelihood of one.

"I have sounded out Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, but they don't seem keen."

Rowntree, who has played for Wales as a schoolboy, was formerly with Torquay and Plymouth Albion before joining the All Whites.

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