NEWARK'S 1ST TEAM CAPTAIN

Flanker Tom Coen has been appointed the first team captain of Newark Rugby Football Union Club for the season ahead.

The announcement was made last night (Thursday Aug 18) at the club’s extraordinary general meeting to approve new regulations for the clubhouse redevelopment.

Tom, 29, takes over from scrum-half Matt Clark who was made a vice-president at the club’s annual meeting in June for his loyal service.

Tom has played at Newark since he was a mini member and follows brother Danny who was also captain. His rugby career has taken in stints for Oakham School and Newcastle University.

He will have his first chance to lead the club on Saturday week (Aug 27), because the scheduled pre-season game against Bradford and Bingley this Saturday (Aug 20) has been cancelled by the Yorkshire club.

The Newark squad will now train on Saturday afternoon at 1.30pm in preparation for playing at Hinckley on Saturday week (Aug 27).

Members were also given an update on the club’s redevelopment before approving new regulations to allow Sport England, who have approved a grant of £295,000, to take a charge on the club’s property.

President Alan Swain told the meeting that it was hoped work would start on the redevelopment in September. He also said talks for a loan and grant from the Rugby Football Union were continuing.

Some initial work had taken place – including the demolition of the tractor shed – and that the club was also preparing applications for grants from two aggregate companies.