Simon Evitts to coach at Shrewsbury
Simon Evitts, who stood down as Shrewsbury Rugby Club's first-team captain at the end of last season, is to join the club's coaching staff.
Evitts was skipper for six successive years – the longest unbroken leadership spell in Shrewsbury's history – before deciding to stand down at the end of last season.
Lewis Jenkins replaces him at the helm of the Midlands Two West (North) club, writes Stuart Dunn.
Evitts, who hopes to play at first team level for many years, insisted he's excited to have the chance to combine that with his new post under Shrewsbury head coach Tim Pickard.
Evitts, who is also Shrewsbury's social secretary, said: "Tim has asked me to be player-assistant coach to him, so I'm taking up that role.
"Tim's got a pool of people working with him like Zach Baker, who was also at the club alongside him last year, while Chris Brayne is staying on as fitness coach.
"Tim's very knowledgeable. He works for the RFU, he's a Level Three coach and he's good for me to learn from.
"He's asked me to come on board and with my own job in teaching and coaching, it really goes hand in hand.
"As a captain, I had a lot of input, which I think Tim valued, and he is keen to keep me involved in that way."
Shrewsbury's players returned to pre-season training earlier this week and will go through their paces at Sundorne Castle each Tuesday and Thursday night at 7pm.
They will begin their league season at home to Walsall on Saturday September 10, before heading to Stafford the following weekend.
