Welcome to the Army Rugby Union Referees' Society (ARURS). We aim to promote and develop rugby refereeing in the Army, to provide referees for the three Services and to provide referees for civilian societies and other bodies affiliated to the RFU where appropriate.
ARU NEWSLETTER
Senior XV Team Management & Contact Details
Colonel Andy Allen MBE – Director of Senior Rugby
Reporting directly into the ARU Chairman and Management Board, Andy has the responsibility for management and direction of the Senior XV and VII’s teams. His best rugby has been played on the wing for REME, BAOR and Hong Kong – and a couple of skirmishes as a centre for civilian clubs. After finishing his playing career with the Army Veterans, he dabbled in coaching but soon found himself without a rugby portfolio. Fortunately the appointment of Chairman Army Veterans came to his rescue. It was during this appointment Andy got the taste for management and after 3 successful seasons, which saw the Army Veterans taking on a more professional profile, Andy relinquished the appointment and established the long overdue Combined Services Veterans in 2008. At the start of the 2009/10 season Andy was voted in as Director of Senior Rugby. When not giving people a good talking to about rugby, Andy is the Team Leader of Special Projects Multi Air Platforms in Yeovilton. Married to Linda, they have two children Alexander (13) and Cassie (16).
Contact Details
Tel: 01935 45 3511
Mob: 07500 124889
Email: DES-SPMAP-PTL@esair.dlo.mod.uk
Captain Mark Bragg MBE – Royal Logistic Corps – Senior XV Management
‘Billy’ (Mark to his Mum) was born in Hull to a military family and is proud of his Scottish heritage. He joined the Army in 1992 and has represented the Army Colts, A Team and Snr XV. After hanging up his boots he knew his strength firmly lied within the management aspect of the game. He has managed the Army U20′s, U23′s A Team and CS U23′s. His day job involves him teaching the Supply element of his beloved Corps to SNCO’s and Officer’s. He is married to “Charlie” who is the rock that keep’s the Bragg Clan together when the head is away with work or rugby, they have two daughters, Georgia 6 and Lauren 3. Billy was awarded the MBE on the Queens Birthday Honours list 2010.
Contact Details
Work: 01252 833354
Mob: 07595 116122
Email: braggmark@hotmail.com
Captain Andy Sanger – Royal Engineers – Head Coach
Capt Andy Sanger RE has been appointed Head Coach to the Senior XV. He is well qualified for such a testing role and has vowed “to put Army rugby back on the top of the Inter Services pedestal“. Andy was capped by the Army Rugby Union Senior XV many times at centre and understands what it takes to regain the Inter Services crown. He also represented Great Britain Amateur Rugby League XIII, and the ARL during the same period. More recently he has coached the ARL team and guided the Royal Engineers Union XV to unprecedented success, winning the Inter Corps Championship four times in consecutive years. Andy, who takes up his appointment later in September said “Although my eye is fixed on Twickenham, it is too early to state precisely what the Army will be doing in May 2011. All that I can do is promise to scour the Army for the best players and give them the opportunity to play hard fast rugby right across the park. At the same time I have to look at the support staff who can help with specialist coaching, administration and very importantly the medical preparation for what is going to be blistering season”.
Head Coach – Terms of Reference ver 3 (pdf 14kb)
Contact Details
Tel: TBC
Mob: 07595 116120
E-mail: andysanger@hotmail.com
Staff Sergeant Sean Fanning – Army Medical Services – Defence Coach
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Warrant Officer Class 1 ‘Burnie’ Burnard – REME – Assistant Coach
Burnie is excited to be part of the new army senior XV coaching team this year and is fully prepared for the challenges ahead. He joined the Army in 1993 and enjoyed a colourful playing career in both codes within the Army and in National League Rugby. Unfortunately Burnie’s playing career was cut short through injury and he was encouraged to take up coaching and is a product of the army coaching development system. He is one of the Army’s youngest level 3 coaches and is a true student of the game. Burnie has successfully coached the REME, Army U20′s, U23′s, A Team, Senior Team, CS U23’s and Canterbury RFC. When Burnie has the opportunity he enjoys educating on Army Level 1 and 2 coaching courses helping people to get started in their coaching.
Contact Details
HQ DEME(A)
Hazebrouck Bks
Arborfield
RG2 9NT
MTN: 94 251 2253
Civ: 01189763253
Mob: 07784 672285
Email:
DEME-Rec-SpecProj@mod.uk
Corporal Mattie Stewart – PWRR – Forwards Coach
Cpl Mattie Stewart (PWRR) has been appointed to work with Capt Andy Sanger (RE) as Forwards Coach to the Senior XV. No one could be more suited to the role in that he has direct experience of every ‘on field’ position within the ranks of Army rugby. Mattie’s playing career as a front row forward extended from representing the Army U21 squad in 1992 to winning 34 full caps for Scotland and winning a European Cup Winners medal with Northampton Saints. Since retiring from senior rugby in 2003 he has taken a keen interest in coaching junior squads at Northampton Saints and the Army Academy. He remains in close contact with the Saints, with England U20 coach Rob Hunter (former Sapper, Army and Scotland ‘A’ lock forward) and John Steele (Army fly half), Saints player and coach and now Chief Executive at Twickenham. He worked for six years under Sir Ian McGeechan (Northampton Saints, London Wasps, Scotland and the British Lions) who is still considered in many quarters as the World’s best coach. Mattie is well connected and itching to start work with the men in Red! In the absence of Andy Sanger on duty Mattie will be the lead coach for the Combined Services who play the Barbarians (Aldershot) and Samoa Gloucester) in November
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Staff Sergeant Andy Harvey – Royal Army Physical Training Corps – Conditioning Coach
Andy joined the Army in 1994 and transferred to the Army Physical Training Corp in 2006. Just recently he has been posted to the PT wing at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. His experience and qualifications are proven to have developed the Army Rugby and Combined Services Academy teams. He is very motivated and looking forward to the challenges ahead, working with professional, motivated athletes. His focus will be on developing players on an individual basis, so that come the inter services each player will be at there prime physical condition “Healthy Mind, Healthy body”.
Contact Details
Mil: 94261 2458
Mob: 07899940168
Email: ptw.inst5@rmas.mod.uk
Warrant Officer Class 2 Dai Williams – 1 Royal Welsh (RWF) – Referee Advisor / Sports Masseur
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Warrant Officer Class 2 Marty Carrahar – REME- Analyst
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Colonel Bruce Baker – Army Medical Services – Team Doctor
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Thomas- Army Medical Services – Physiotherapist
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Major Stacy McQueeney – Army Medical Services – Physiotherapist
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
Sergeant Darren Percy – Royal Logistic Corps – Assistant Manager
Darren was born in Portsmouth but spent the majority of his youth in the West Country before joining the Army in 1996. An instructor at the Defence Logistics and Supply School this is his second year within the senior XV set-up, having recently taken over the reins from Chalky Meek. Over the years Darren has played rugby for Taunton, Havant Colts, JHQ Rhinos and in 1999 he was a member of the RLC (Germany) rugby squad. Unfortunately he suffered a serious leg injury following a skiing accident in 2000 and as a result was forced to hang up his boots. Whilst his international playing potential was never realised, Darren has found his niche within sporting administration and is proving to be a key member ‘behind the scenes’.
Contact Details
Contact via ARU
