READING Raiders have appointed a new head coach ahead of the 2017 season.

Alex Fox, acting head of rugby and PE Teacher at Leighton Park School in Reading, has agreed to take charge for the next two years.

The 24-year-old from Staffordshire has extensive experience in rugby, having captained Burton RFC at 16, played openside flanker and in the centre for various teams including Reading RFC and gained Level Two coaching qualifications in the sport.

He played for the Raiders for the first time last year in their defeat against Hemel Stags’ Merit team and showed an interest in taking on the vacant head coach role, which led to him taking Level Two rugby league coaching qualifications in the winter with the support of the club.

Fox said: “It’s a relatively new sport to me but I learned so much during my coaching course and I can’t wait to meet the squad and get us primed and ready for the new season.

“We won our only home game in our first season last year so I’m keen to keep our 100 per cent home record intact and I would love for us to win our first silverware when we contest the Kennet Cup against Swindon.”

Always keen to improve in his profession, Fox (pictured) recently completed Advanced CPD courses in Planning and Periodisation and Performance Analysis.

Raiders chairman Andrew Belt said: “Chatting on the way back from Hemel, Alex showed great enthusiasm for what we were doing as a club and was keen to get involved.

“I was impressed by his ambition to improve his CV and throw himself into the sport and the Raiders so it made great sense to get him on board and I’m looking forward to seeing him whip the boys into shape ready for matchdays.”

Pre-season starts in March, and if you’re interested in playing for the club or supporting, email readingroyalsrlfc@gmail.com.

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