Tunbridge Wells rugby

Simon Jervis’ dual role to help both clubs

New Tunbridge Wells coach Simon Jervis is hoping to help smooth the passage of the town’s top talent from start to finish.

Jervis, who is head of PE at The Skinners’ School, has joined the club as a coach from south London side Westcombe Park, where he is director of rugby.

It means he can oversee any talented youngsters from Skinners into the relevant sides at Wells while also giving them an opportunity further up the leagues at Westcombe Park if they’re good enough.

There are no fears that the dual role will be too much to handle as at Westcombe it is more of an administrative role on a part-time basis whereas at Wells he will be passing on his coaching experience.

The 41-year-old former Nuneaton player has been a coach at Westcombe for three years, having been at Gravesend previously, also for three years.

“My role at Westcombe Park is less hands on than it was last year – I will be doing a lot of stuff behind the scenes,” he said.

“There may be a flow of players both ways, to help Tunbridge Wells and to give players a route to playing at a higher level.

“The ambition of Tunbridge Wells is to get back to being a London One South club, which is historically where they have been and where they should be. It’s about having the steps there for progress.”

Jervis believes the club should be fighting higher in the leagues than their current position and is hoping to help them bounce back after being relegated to London Two South East on the final day of last season.

“They have had a bit of a rough patch the last couple of years,” he said. “There is no reason it should be the case with the size of the club and the catchment area. It’s a good opportunity and a good challenge.”

Wells play one friendly match, on Saturday, September 8, at home to OMWRFC, before they start league action the following week when they visit Sussex side Pulborough.