Keswick have named former Newcastle Falcons Academy manager Richard Metcalf as their head coach for the 2015/16 season.

After leaving his post as head coach of Egremont, Metcalf has been appointed with promotion in mind for the Keswick club.

His coaching CV stretches over 20 years having started his career as Youth Development Officer for Cumbria RFU. He has previously been in charge at St Benedict’s and Carlisle.

“I was never the best player but I just wanted to learn more about the game and the best way to do this was to coach,” Metcalf said. “As I progressed and did more courses and opportunity came up at the RFU and I’ve been coaching rugby union ever since.”

Keswick narrowly missed out on promotion last season and are looking to hit the ground running as they bid to make the jump from the Cumbria League to the North Lancs/Cumbria league next year.

Although Metcalf is keen to lead Keswick to promotion, he has the club’s best interests at heart in terms of developing for the future.

“Of course I would love us to win the league,” he continued. “But that comes as a by-product of creating a positive culture and rugby environment where all players have a hunger to develop and enjoy their rugby.

“I also believe it is about the development of the whole club.

“I want to be able to support the other coaches in the club and teach them what I’ve learned, and hopefully this can filter down through all age groups and help the club thrive and produce quality players from the grassroots up.

“The club were very proactive in my appointment, making it clear they wanted me here.”

“The goal was to develop a community club where we had not only a successful first team, but lots of involvement from across the local area.”