TJs ACADEMY STAFF
As the leading grassroots Academy in the country, and with over 150 active players each season, TJs Academy has a sizeable coaching and support staff many of whom work on a semi/professional basis. Staff cover not only on the standard on pitch specialisms such as set piece, forward play, backs play, kicking and individual positional skills but also boasts two Physiotherapists, two Strength and Conditioning coaches, two video analysts and a qualified and experienced Sports Psychologist.

Many of the coaching team have been part of the staff since the birth of TJs Academy over a decade ago and boast three National Cup winners medals each. In addition to these mainstays, new faces with new ideas are regularly added in a bid to find the perfect balance between continuity and remaining fresh and forward-thinking.

In recent years, it has become TJs Academy policy to employ Apprentice Academy coaches to the staff each season. These are positions that support ex-Academy players transitioning into coaching and brings the benefits of continuity from the previous year’s playing group whilst allowing top Academy graduates to pass on their knowledge to the younger year groups. TJs Academy Apprentice Coaches also work with the Junior section coaching the U12s and 13s on a Tuesday evening and the U14s and 15s on a Thursday evening all under the lead of Head of Academy, Gareth Withers.

Gareth Withers – Head of Academy
withersgj@hotmail.com -07739455783

Gareth is Head of TJs Academy and has led the set up since its inception for the 2013-14 season, first as Head Coach and now as Head of Academy. He has been at TJs since 2004 first as a player and now as a coach. During his playing career he represented Tonbridge School, Cardiff University, Crowborough and TJs 1st XVs before joining the senior coaching staff in 2009.

Gareth came through the ranks as a coach at TJs starting with an U12 age group whilst still playing and completed five seasons in the Junior section with two different age groups during which he won multiple Kent titles before joining the TJs Academy staff upon its formation in 2013. Gareth began his senior coaching career by leading TJs 2nd XV to back to back Kent Invite 1 league titles before moving into the 1st XV set up where he has worked for over a decade filling various roles including skills coach, video analyst, backs and attack coach.

Gareth still works with the 1st XV but these days focuses most of his efforts on TJs Academy whilst supporting ex-Academy players transition to senior rugby via TJs Senior Academy and keeping an eye on the pipeline by running the midweek Junior coaching sessions for U12s and 13s on Tuesdays and U14s and 15s on Thursday evenings.

Gareth has been an integral part of TJs Academy since its inception winning three National Cups and over 20 Kent titles as a TJs coach including two Senior Kent Cups with the 1st XV. Outside of TJs Gareth is Director of Sport at Hilden Grange Preparatory School in Tonbridge.

Mark Healey – Academy Lead Forwards Coach and Sports Psychologist

Mark has been an important part of the TJs Academy set up since its beginnings in 2013. Originally joining the club to work alongside Gareth in the Junior section, Mark joined the Academy staff upon its restructure in 2013 and has been part of the coaching team for all three of our National Cup triumphs in 2015, 2017 and 2023. Mark has developed his specialism as a lineout coach and under his leadership the TJs Academy pack scored three catch and drive tries in the 2022 and 2023 National Cup finals and clear supremacy in the air contributed significantly to the 2023 success.

Mark graduated with an MSc (Merit) in Sport and Exercise Psychology adding to his BSc (Hons) in Sport Psychology. During his postgraduate year he completed an eight-month placement with Championship side London Welsh RFC. Mark also spent a season on the senior staff at TJs working with the 1st and 2nd XV squads focusing on closed skills and routines. Mark continues to share these skills not only with the TJs Academy players but also with the coaching team to aid the staff in getting the best out of the players and ensuring the environment supports high level performance.

Outside TJs Mark runs his own Sports Psychology consultancy practice – Plega. In addition to TJs Mark has worked with London Welsh RFC, Gillingham FC, Tonbridge School and members of the European PGA Tour.

Howard Mudge – Academy Lead Backs Coach

Howard played over 300 1st XV games for TJs, Old Juddians, Welwyn, Havent and Brixham.

After retiring from playing he filled the role of 1st XV Backs Coach at TJs before becoming an age group coach winning four consecutive Kent Cups. Howard has been a member of the Academy coaching staff since its establishment in 2013 contributing to all three of our National Cup wins in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

Howard was previously a Sports Coach at Judd School where he was Master in Charge of U12 and U16 rugby as well as 1st XV Backs Coach. In addition to his role with TJs Academy Howard is currently Team Manager of TJs 1st XV.

Seb Sherwood – Academy Defence Coach

Seb joined TJs 1st XV coaching staff as Defence Coach in 2018 bringing a level of knowledge and attention to detail that helped propel the club to its highest ever position of National 1 status in the RFU league structure. Prior to joining TJs Seb spent time in New Zealand working with Super Rugby side Waikato Chiefs and currently fills the position of Analysis Consultant for the RFU.

Seb was appointed Head Coach of TJs 1st XV for the 2022-23 season and still fills this role alongside his work for England Rugby and TJs Academy.

Ady Crouch – Academy Forwards Coach

Ady has been a member of TJs Academy coaching staff since 2014, specialising in forward play. As well as coaching in the Academy, Ady can also still be found playing for the 3rd team and assists in transitioning older and former Academy players from Youth to Senior rugby.

A highly respected figure at TJs, Ady sits on various club committees, acts as 4th Official for 1st XV home games and supports the club in many other ways.

Ady has been part of TJs Academy staff for all our National Cup triumphs in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

James Simpson – Academy Forwards Coach

James joined the TJs Academy coaching staff in 2014 and is a former TJs 1st XV back row forward, 2nd XV Head Coach, Club Captain and long-standing junior age group coach.

Over the last decade James has coached within the Academy whilst also twice stepping in to assist younger age groups and nurture them through to the Academy, most notably the 2017 National Cup winning age group.

Having assisted several successful junior age groups into the Academy in recent years, James returned to a regular role on the TJs Academy coach team in 2021.

With years of experience as a player and coach, James offers a huge amount to our young players and is a very well respected member of TJRFC.

Sandy Godoy – Academy Forwards Coach

Sandy joins the TJs Academy coaching staff for the 2024-25 season having previously coached an age group all the way through the Junior and Academy sections at Sevenoaks. Outside of rugby Sandy is a Games Coach at St Michael's School having previously held similar roles at Hilden Grange and Sevenoaks Prep.

Sandy's game centred and player led approach is always popular with his players as is his outstanding character and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to sessions. With an extensive experience of coaching young players Sandy will be a huge asset to the TJs Academy set up.

Barry Walsh – Academy Forwards Coach

Barry has been part of the Academy coaching team since the 2013 restructure focusing his time working with forwards in all age groups and specialising in set piece play.

Barry has previously been 4th team skipper and held the position of Club Captain. As well as coaching, Barry helps Academy players past and present transition into the adult game. Barry is a popular member of the coaching staff, well-liked by the players, particularly the front row who enjoy learning the ‘dark arts’ from the experienced Baz!

Barry was part of the coaching team for the 2015 and 2017 National Cup triumphs and returns to the core coaching group for the 2024-25 season having been forced to miss much of the last three years through injury.

Max Wheeler – Academy Apprentice Forwards and Strength & Conditioning Coach

Max joined TJs as a Mini almost a decade ago and has enjoyed a distinguished career as a TJs Academy player reaching back to back National Cup Finals with TJs and finishing as a National Cup winner as part of the highly successful 'class of 23.’ Last year Max won several 1st XV caps before injury put an early end to his season.

Max is embarking on his coaching journey by joining TJs Academy as an Apprentice Forwards and Strength & Conditioning Coach whilst combining this with a TJs 1st XV playing contract. Outside of TJs, Max is undertaking Strength and Conditioning qualifications, skills he will use to advise and work with TJs Academy players.

An uncompromising front row player, Max will be passing on his experience, not only with TJs but also from starting every U18 Premiership game at tight head for Saracens in the 22-23 season, to those in the years below him with a particular eye on improving the set piece. Max will also be coaching the TJs Juniors, working with the U12s and 13s at Tuesday midweek sessions and the U14s and 15s on Thursday evenings.

Max's move onto the coaching team supports and demonstrates TJs Academy's desire to grow our own coaches and help our young men develop as people as well as players.

Isaac Ridge – Academy Apprentice Forwards Coach

Isaac joined TJs for his U16 season in hope of accessing better to coaching to help him develop. After quickly establishing himself in the A squad, the following season he moved position to second row and the rest, as they say, is history... A National Cup winner with TJs Academy in his U17 season, he was appointed Captain of Academy for the 2023-24 season and led us to the Kent title in 2024. During his final season as a TJs Academy player he also captained Kent, Skinners School and England South East as well as training with the club's National League 1st XV.

Despite his achievements so far, Issac is keen to develop his rugby knowledge further as both a player and coach and will be combining his 1st XV playing contract with coaching TJs Academy and Junior players this season, working with the U12s and 13s at Tuesday midweek sessions and the U14s and 15s on Thursday evenings as well as the Academy players on Wednesdays and Sundays. Keeping players like Isaac in our system aids the peer to peer learning that has been a feature of our set up for several years and helps to create the sustained success we have enjoyed for over a decade.

Ben Smedley – Academy Apprentice Forwards Coach

Ben arrived in England during his U16 season and quickly linked up with TJs Academy. A lively and tenacious hooker, Ben was part of the ‘class of 23’ who not only brought the National Cup home in 2023 but also made the final in 2022. Ben scored in the victory over Olney at Sixways Stadium.

Ben’s excellent attitude and thirst for improvement will set a fine example for the younger generations and his expertise in the closed skills of hooking and lineout throwing will support our young players with these vital positional skills.

Paul Wheeler – Academy Backs & Skills Coach

After two seasons on the sideline supporting in a parental capacity Paul joined the coaching team for the 2022-23 season largely to assist with backs and individual skills coaching. Paul quickly became a popular member of the coaching staff and like all TJs Academy coaches works across all the Academy teams. Paul was part of the TJs Academy coaching staff for the 2023 National Cup win in which his son, Max, played a leading role.

Paul played as a junior for Tonbridge RFC and played senior rugby until he was 44 mainly as a scrum half or full back. Prior to joining the TJs Academy coaching staff Paul coached junior rugby for seven years from U9s to U15s.

Paul has been a great addition to the coaching staff; popular with the players and bringing huge enthusiasm and an eye for individual improvement.

Darren Reeves – Academy Backs & Skills Coach

Darren is TJs Head of Rugby, a wide reaching role that includes overseeing the entire Mini and Junior sections as well as running TJs Community Schools Programme.

Darren joined the TJs Academy coaching staff for the 2023-24 season adding strength in depth to our already talented pool of coaches. In addition to his roles at TJs, Darren coaches at Kings' School, Canterbury and can still be found running out for the TJs Amateurs from time to time.

Darren also founded and runs his own coaching company called Rugby Taggers which focuses on introducing rugby to children from as young as two via the Tiny Taggers programme. Rugby Taggers is also a proud sponsor of TJs Academy.

Harry Skinner – Academy Backs & Skills Coach

Harry joins the TJs Academy staff for the 2024-25 season having coached a Junior age group for the last two years. Harry played for the TJs senior action before injury brought his career to a premature end and he took the plunge into coaching doing an exceptional job of developing a struggling age group helping them improve both player numbers and performances on the pitch. Harry also coaches the PDG group at Saracens Academy.

Harry’s energy, passion and constant drive to improve his own coaching rubs off on his players and allows them to not only believe in their own ability but also supplies them with a constant stream of knowledge and support.

As with all TJs Academy coaches Harry will move between the various TJs Academy sides, spreading his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game.

Howard Packman – Academy Backs & Skills Coach

Howard, or Packers, as he is better known, joins the TJs Academy coaching staff this season and brings with him extensive experience not only as a German International and TJs 1st XV player but also from his coaching work at Judd School where he is a teacher.

Packers has a wealth of knowledge to share with our young Academy players and will focus on back play and the back three in particular. Howard will also be assisting with the U12 & U13 Junior sessions on Tuesday evenings and the U14 & U15 Thursday evening sessions to provide the continuity of coaching messages we aim to deliver as a club.

Fiona Beaumont – Academy Backs & Skills Coach

Fi joins the TJs Academy staff for the 2024-25 season and will combine her role with that of Head Coach and player of the TJs senior Ladies XV. A teacher at Woldingham School in Surrey, Fiona also played for Kent in the Gill Burns County Championship at the end of last season, representing the county at fly half and inside centre.

Whilst, like all our coaching staff, Fiona will move around all the TJs Academy sides, she will keep a particularly close eye on the TJs Academy U16 Girls with an eye to the senior pipeline in a couple of years when they graduate from TJs Academy.

Ben Moore – Academy Apprentice Backs & Skills Coach

Ben is in his third season as an Academy Apprentice Coach having first coached during his Gap Year in 2022-23 where he also worked as a coach at Tonbridge School and Hilden Grange School.

An excellent communicator with maturity beyond his years, Ben is an excellent young coach and leader. As a player he has experience across the backline but mainly in the back three where he excelled with his finishing. As well as playing in the 2022 National Cup Final for TJs Academy, Ben made several appearances for our National League 1st XV during his Gap Year alongside his coaching with TJs Academy and the club’s Junior section.

Luke Beaumont – Academy Apprentice Backs & Skills Coach

Fresh from graduating TJs Academy at the end of the 2022-23 season and finishing as a National Cup winner, Luke embarked on his coaching journey by working with TJs Academy as an Apprentice Backs & Skills Coach. He combined this with playing for the TJs senior section, including winning several 1st XV caps, before heading to Australia to broaden his life and rugby experiences.

Hailing from the fabled 'class of 23' Luke helped TJs Academy to back to back National Cup Finals in 2022 and 2023 acting as the squad's key playmaker. Mercurial in attack but also outstanding in defence and under the high ball, Luke will pass on his extensive knowledge to the next generation of Academy players as part of our policy to grow our own coaches and help our players develop on and off the field.

Although heading off to university this year, when home for the holidays, Luke will be passing on his experience to those in the years below him with a particular eye on improving the individual skills of the TJs Academy Backs. Luke will also be coaching the TJs Juniors, working with the U12s and 13s at Tuesday midweek sessions and the U14s and 15s on Thursday evenings.

Jake Rutherford – Academy Apprentice Backs & Skills Coach

Jake is another of the ‘class of 23’ who played in back to back National Cup Finals, in his case demonstrating his versatility and all round rugby ability by playing the 2022 final out of position on the wing as the squad was ravaged by injury. In his more familiar position of scrum half for the 2023 final, Jake went one better and brought the National Cup home to the Slade.

A fierce competitor, Jake brings excellent game understanding and energy to his coaching as well as a keen eye on the specifics of scrum half play. Having reached the top of the U18 club and college game in both Union and League as well as representing Saracens Academy, Jake is in a great position to pass on his ever-increasing knowledge to our young scrum halves.

In his second season as an Academy Apprentice Coach, Jake will continue to train and play for the senior section of the club as he eyes his competitive 1st XV debut having previously featured in pre-season games. Jake also assists with Junior section sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Alex Reid – Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach and Trainee Physio

Alex graduated from TJs Academy in 2015 finishing as a National Cup winner. An important part of the TJs Academy squad that reached the 2014 National semi before winning the following year, Alex had already made his 1st XV debut prior to becoming a National Champion.

Since his emergence into the ranks of the 1st XV, Alex has amassed over 80 appearances and will be closing in one his 100th cap during the 2023-24 season. As well as representing TJs 1st XV, Alex gained Championship experience whilst at Leeds University when he played for Yorkshire Carnegie and later Worcester Warriors A whilst of a Strength and Continuing placement at the Premiership club. Ever keen for self-improvement and progression, Alex is now in the final stages of his Physiotherapy degree and is able to practise under the watchful eye of TJs Academy Lead Physio, Jess.

As a 1st XV player, qualified Strength and Conditioning coach and trainee Physio, Alex will brings a huge breadth of experience to the TJs Academy staff and his remit is to contribute in all these areas but specifically using his Physio and S&C knowledge to aid players returning from and trying to prevent, injuries.

Jess Rugg – Academy Lead Physio

Jess is a highly experienced rugby physio having previously worked at Sevenoaks and Sidcup RFC.

Jess is in her second stint as Lead Physio with TJs Academy having rejoined the set up for the National Cup winning season of 2023. Jess is also part of the TJs 1st XV medical staff.

Outside of TJs Jess works full time as a Senior Physiotherapist for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

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