Lach signs new two-year deal
OEs are delighted to announce that Director of Rugby Gavin Lach has signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at College Meadow until 2020.
It’s great news for the club as they bid to consolidate their position as one of the 40 leading teams in the country after winning promotion to National One last season.
Since arriving at Elthamians in 2009, the 54-year-old OEs DoR, has overseen the most successful period in the club’s 107-year history. During his tenure, the club have secured five promotions in nine seasons, rising from London 3SE to reach the third tier of English rugby for the first time, as well as appearing in three Kent Cup finals.
“I’m delighted to sign for another two seasons at a hugely exciting time for the club,” Lach said. “If you had told me when I first arrived here that we’d be playing in National One within 10 years, I’d have thought you were mad! But we are here and now the hard work really begins if we are to establish ourselves as a leading club.
“This was always going to be a long term project and there is still plenty of work to do if we want to fulfil our aspirations of being a Championship club closely linked to a top school in Eltham College. I’m excited to be able to drive that forward.
“In the last year, we have set up a successful women’s squad under former England captain Catherine Spencer who won their league this season at the first attempt; we are in the process of setting up an Academy under USA Sevens coach Mike Friday and there is the on-going ground redevelopment as well. So there is going to be plenty to keep me busy!”
Kobus Paulsen, chairman of OERFC 1st XV Ltd, said: “I’m delighted Gavin has agreed to extend his contract for another two years. His appointment has proved to be an unparalleled success for the club. When we set out on this journey together, I never thought we’d be rubbing shoulders with some of British rugby’s most famous clubs such as Coventry, Rosslyn Park, Plymouth and Blackheath inside 10 years. It’s a fantastic achievement and a credit to the hard work Gavin and his team have put in.
"It’s no secret we are an ambitious club and as we continue to move into unknown territory, he is integral to our future plans both on and off the field.”