NEW Royston Rugby Club head coach Luke Green is a man of ambition – with one eye on promotion and the other on the national team. Green, who is one of the youngest head coaches in the country, has already set a goal of taking Royston to the top of the He

NEW Royston Rugby Club head coach Luke Green is a man of ambition - with one eye on promotion and the other on the national team.

Green, who is one of the youngest head coaches in the country, has already set a goal of taking Royston to the top of the Herts and Middlesex League Division 2 North.

But it is perhaps his long-term goal that shows he really means business.

The 21-year-old said: "I'm very ambitious and I have a lot of drive. Royston is a great club that has some very talented players, and from what I've seen so far I've been impressed.

"The club has a lot of potential and I feel we can go even higher, and hopefully I can help do that.

"Royston had a very good season last year and did fantastic to get promoted.

"It's going to be a tough season ahead but I can see no reason why we cannot challenge at the top of the table and achieve back-to-back promotion."

Green, who is currently taking his level three RFU coaching qualification, says he hopes to complete the international standard level four.

"One day I would like to work within the RFU and help develop the structure of rugby. And hopefully in seven or eight years' time I'll be in a position where I can achieve this," he said.

"I want to get to the top and ideally I would love to be involved with the England team on some level. That would be my biggest aim, and who knows what the future holds?"

And he certainly has the backing of the club's chairman David Gee, who said: "Luke's appetite for rugby is insatiable and he is clearly set on a career path that will take him to the top of the game as a coach.

"He has a lot of vision and an analytical mind that is complemented by good tactical thinking, and most importantly, a practical knowledge of how to translate tactics to skill and practice with his squad. "

Coaching coordinator Jonathan Downes said: "The appointment of Luke is a significant step and we are already seeing dividends in pre-season training in terms of attendance, commitment, skill levels, and the tactical awareness of the team.

"The response from the players has been excellent and bodes well for the future".

Green, from St Ives, says the move was a huge step forward for his own coaching development.

He said: "I've wanted to be a coach since I was about 14-years-old, and now I've got the chance. It came sooner than I had expected as a result of a serious injury. And I feel that I'm definitely up for the challenge."

Before tearing back ligaments Green played for St Ives, St Neots, Hunts and Peterborough, and Cambourne, as well as representing Cambs county.

"I played at a fairly high standard, but for me it's always been about the coaching, and I'm just pleased to be able to do it for such a brilliant club," said Green.

But what does the first head coach to be appointed from outside the club in more than 10 years believe he will bring to the club?

He said: "I have a fresh, young outlook on the game and I'll bring in a lot of new ideas. I'm really looking forward to working with the club in the coming season and they are a great bunch of lads to work with."

The new head coach will also be supported by the vastly experienced Kevin Green - who has coached in the UK and abroad.

The former Greek national team coach said: "It's a good time to join the club and after returning from a spell in America I'm really looking forward to getting going. Things are shaping up very nicely."

Chairman Gee said: "We're confident they can work well together and both will take the club forward.

"Kevin comes with a lot of experience that will benefit the whole club.

"And with the appointment of Luke we believe that he has the potential to become a household name and will no doubt go on to coach a high-profile club.

"And we like to think that his time at Royston will be a significant step in his career."

- The club has already started preparations for the coming season, which starts on Saturday, September 1, when the first team travel to Cantabridgian.

And the club is working hard to recruit new members of all ages.

Luke and Kevin are also on the look out for senior players to challenge for a first team place.

Training takes place at Therfield Heath on Tuesdays from 7pm and at Bassingbourn Barracks on Thursdays from 7pm.