Brooks and Hill link up to work at Wimbledon
New Wimbledon head coach James Brooks is excited to work with experienced director of rugby Steve Hill again as the pair attempt to get the club promoted back into the National Leagues.
Wimbledon were relegated from their first ever season in National Two East on the final day last weekend as they succumbed to a 26-19 loss to Dorking, ending Collin Osborne's five-year spell as director of rugby.
Brooks will be supported by former Richmond DOR Hill who, during his 10-year tenure, gained promotion from National Two South to National One, and then twice from the third tier to the Championship – a league the Londoners competed in for six seasons.
Since leaving Richmond, Hill has been a coaching consultant for the Ukraine national side and ex-Northampton Saints, Wasps and Leeds Tykes fly-half Brooks is excited to reunite with him.
He told The Rugby Paper: “When Hilly's name got brought up it took me back to 2010 where I was living in Leeds and playing for Doncaster. Due to personal reasons I moved back down south and got on board at Richmond in 2010 with Hilly in National Two South when teams like Ealing and Jersey were in that league.
“We got off to a bit of a hairy start but then went 18 games unbeaten, finishing third behind Ealing and Jersey, then the following year got promoted to National One. I had an opportunity to go out to Hong Kong to coach professionally, so off I went. Hilly spent a decade there and got the boys up to the Championship which is an impressive feat.”
Brooks left his role as academy transition coach at Ealing Trailfinders last summer to join Gordon's School's prestigious rugby programme where Wales lock Jake Ball, former England full back Paul Hull and Trailfinders women's flyer Ellie Boatman attended.
Balancing his time at the Surrey school, Brooks also oversaw Wimbledon's attack and backs last season, and is hopeful he can retain the majority of the squad as his new side prepare for Regional 1 South Central once more.
Brooks added: “It was unfortunate for the boys going down on the last weekend of the season. They consoled themselves with a Sunday session and now it's about working towards bouncing back up next term.
“It's important we retain as much as the squad as we can. The priority is creating enjoyment, the Wimbledon style is an attractive one and the boys do like throwing the ball around. We want to play a high tempo, fast game but you need to be a very fit side to keep doing that.”
