Former Gloucester captain named academy manager

Gloucester have announced that former captain Gareth Delve has become the club’s new academy manager.

The 11-cap former Wales No.8 captained the Cherry & Whites in 2009 having joined from West Country rivals in Bath in 2007, and will now take charge of an academy that has produced the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit, Lewis Ludlow and Freddie Clarke, to name a few, in the current Gloucester squad.

Delve left Kingsholm in 2010 after 56 appearances, joining Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels. He enjoyed stints with Japan’s NEC Green Rockets and the Ospreys before retiring and become Bristol Bears’ team manager in 2017. He left that role in 2019, but has been working as an assistant coach at Thornbury RFC in Gloucestershire.

Following this announcement, Gloucester’s Director of Academy & Development Carl Hogg said: “Gareth is a fantastic addition to the club. He epitomises all the values of our club, he’s passionate, humble, and hard working. He will be a tremendous role model for our young academy players.

“He’s a great leader and communicator, and we know he will build positive relationship with schools and clubs within our region to ensure the best possible pathway for young players.

“Gareth will help develop a culture within the academy that will produce players with character and ability to proudly continue the great traditions of this historic club.”