Preparations are already well advanced for the forthcoming season, with Dan Stubbs announced as club captain and Director of Rugby, Willie Stockdale planning pre-season.

There has been a slight adjustment to the successful coaching set up, with the Sale Sharks and England hooker Rob Webber becoming Head Coach and Andy Bird, the Sale Sharks Academy Coach and Manchester Grammar School PE Head, stepping up as backs coach.

Unfortunately, Byron McGuigan has stood down due to Scotland, Sale Sharks and family commitments, but again Willie is looking to enhance the training team, with guest specialist coaches as last year, which saw sessions from former England player and RFU National Academy kicking coach Jon Callard.

At the end of the season, a review of the playing performance was undertaken, with Individual Development Plans given to all the senior squad to work on during the off season. Further plans will be announced at the Players Meeting on Tuesday 26th June, with formal training to commence Thursday 28th June, 7.00 pm prompt start.

Training will look to utilize game-based coaching wherever possible, with lots of variety alongside a strength and conditioning programme. To this end Sandbach are able to utilise the recently constructed on site Sandbach Health and Fitness Centre. The well-equipped gym and studio area has a variety of coaches and classes, which provide user-friendly equipment from the high-quality range of modern fitness machines, to strength equipment such as free weights and racks. The club is also supported by an experienced team of chartered physiotherapists, as well as boasting arguably the best facilities in the area and a thriving social scene.

A number of preseason fixtures have been arranged, with a visit to Northern Premier club Kendal already booked in for Saturday 18th August. Premier Division Fixtures for the season are expected to be announced soon with the first game Saturday 1st September.

The club remains ambitious and wishes to increase its playing strength and continue to develop high quality players. This player development has seen four current players Benny Elliot, Josh Longson, Gaz Caen and Mike Barlow, involved in this year’s Cheshire team. They were joined by recent former colleagues and Sandbach Academy Graduates Tom Concu, John Whittaker and Nick Allsop. This follows on from representative rugby for Sale Jets, the Sale Sharks team in the Premiership A League, where Mike Barlow joined fellow Sandbach players Cam Crampton and Monty Weatherby, in gaining further experience playing with and against full time professionals.

The vast majority of these players also came through the ranks at Sandbach School and these links continue to grow, with Crampton and Weatherby also representing the County at Under 20 level during the season. The production line continuing to work as demonstrated by England U18 National Development squad and Sale Sharks Academy hooker, Ewan Ashman, also playing several games at 1st XV Level at the end of the season.

Having finished 7th last season in the highly competitive Midlands Premier League, Sandbach will be looking to improve next season as the young players gain experience and maturity and look to push for the higher end of the league. Sandbach will again welcome any additions and new members to the squad and players interested in joining should contact Director of Rugby Willie Stockdale on 07810477786 for an informal chat or attend the Players Meeting.