Stanley returns to Kingsholm
Former Gloucester player Andrew Stanley is returning to Kingsholm next season to take over the role of Academy Manager.
Stan, as he is widely known, moves down the M5 from the Worcester Warriors where has been Head of Skills Development & Academy Manager.
He also took temporary charge of the Worcester team following the departure of Mike Ruddock in 2010 before Richard Hill’s appointment.
A qualified RFU Level 5 coach, he played almost 200 first team games for Gloucester before he retired from senior rugby in 1998. He then joined the Warriors Academy from Hartpury College, where he was Director of rugby, in January 2005.
Along with being in control of the young players’ development at Warriors, he was responsible for identifying new talent from the partner clubs and establishing links with colleges around the region.
However, he now returns to the club where it all began for him and admitted that he can’t wait to get stuck into his new role.
“I was a player at Gloucester for 13 years and started my coaching career at Kingsholm. So this is a good chance for me to return to a club where I played all my rugby. It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down and it is the only club I would have left the Warriors for. I’m looking forward to going back and making a real impression.
“Having been a player there all my career, I know what a special club Gloucester is, with a unique set of supporters. They really identify with home grown players or players who have come through the development system, who understand what it means to pull on the Cherry and White shirt.
“Gloucester have produced some great young local talent in the past, the pipeline looks healthy and I’m really looking forward to being back there,” he added.
Despite keenly awaiting taking over the reins of the Gloucester Rugby Academy, Stanley admitted he’ll look back fondly on his time at Sixways.
“I have enjoyed my time at the Warriors immensely and I have been fortunate to work with some very talented people there,” he said.
