England Rugby have announced that Will Parkin will join the England Men’s U18 coaching setup ahead of this summer’s tour of South Africa.
Parkin, who joins from Northampton Saints, will be an assistant coach under head coach Jonathan Pendlebury, taking over the role vacated by Mark Mapletoft earlier this year, who is now head coach of the England Men’s U20s, currently competing in the World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa.
Parkin, just 29 years old, spent a decade at Northampton Saints, and led the Northampton Saints U18s to back to back Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League finals most recently, having previously looked after the U16s in the PDG programme and prior to that the Club’s Community department.
Commenting on his appointment, Parkin said: “I am very excited to be starting with the England Men’s U18 coaching staff as an attack coach. I’ve been in and around the group for a couple of seasons while maintaining my role with Northampton, but to now be working alongside Jon and his squad on a full-time basis is a new opportunity for growth and one I’m ready to take head on.”
“I’d like to thank Saints for being my home for the last decade. It’s a wonderful club and community that has allowed me to help develop many young men on the pitch, and for me personally to also improve as a coach, something I’ll always be grateful for.”
“It’s been a privilege working with players across the whole pathway, and to play a small part in the development of those lads that have gone on to play for the Club. The support from the coaches at Saints has been hugely influential on my career – specifically from Sam Vesty and James Craig. But Mark Hopley deserves a special mention because the support and trust he put in me has allowed me to continue developing and progressing in my career.”
Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Our Pathways Programme is for more than just players, and Will starting in this role with the Men’s U18 team shows it’s a chance for coaches to grow in the professional pathway environment also. We’re simply delighted for him to join our team. With a full coaching staff now in place, we’re focused on our tour of South Africa in August.”
Northampton Saints’ head of Academy Mark Hopley was effusive in his praise of Parkin, saying: “Will should be incredibly proud of what he’s achieved over the last ten years and how far he’s come as a coach, because he’s worked incredibly hard to become as good as he can be.”
“He cares massively about helping people realise their potential, and the relationships he has had with our most promising young players have been outstanding. Underpinning all that is his work ethic, as he is so committed to everyone improving around him – he is someone you have to convince to take time off, rather than the other way around.”
“Year on year, the quality of the Under-18s coming into the senior group on full-time contracts from the Academy has got better and better, and Will has been a huge part of that – so the challenge for us now is to ensure that continues in his absence. We’re sorry to see him leave the Club, but he very much deserves this opportunity with England and I’ve no doubt he will thrive in that environment.”
