Starting rugby at Olney when he was ten years old, things have come full circle for Edd Rhodes who is now going into his second season as Assistant Coach for the senior squad.

As a teen Edd went into the Northampton Saints Academy and Bedford Blues academy, playing for England Colleges then continuing his rugby at Sheffield Hallam University where he played for Rotherham A before moving to Hull Ionians who were then playing in National 2. In 2012 Edd was forced to retire, aged just 21, due to a heart condition - since then he has focused on coaching.

A fan of any workhorse who makes a big difference in the breakdown, Edd admires Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury and David Pocock, although Paul O'Connell is his main inspiration as the best second row in the world.

Edd is ambitious for Olney and wants to achieve promotion for the 1st XV. He says "We have a great group of young players with so much potential." Edd has helped coach the younger sides too, and says getting to the National Semi Finals of the Colts cup, and coaching at Franklins Gardens with them in the Oceanic Cup was a real highlight.

Talking of his links to the club, Edd says "I have a real attachment to Olney rugby club having played here as a kid. For such a small market town to have such a big rugby club is incredible, and to have so many minis and juniors playing every Sunday really sets the foundations for such a successful club."