Coaches
Director of Rugby – Pete Seabourne
Pete has been appointed as the club’s Director of Rugby for the 2023-24 season.
Pete has a huge amount of experience in both rugby codes: he was a professional Rugby League player from when he was fifteen years old and coached Wakefield Trinity Academy and schools, was Director of Rugby at Leeds Corinthians, and was Kicking Coach for England Woman’s Rugby League.
Pete switched to coaching Rugby Union as Assistant Coach at Morley, working his was up to Director to Rugby.
Pete joined Leeds Tykes in 2021 as Assistant Coach and Team Manager. He assumed immediate responsibility for rugby matters towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
Pete undertakes his Tykes’ DoR position alongside his role as Head of Rugby at the University of Leeds.
Assitant Coach – Pete Lucock
Pete is back at his home town club as Assistant Coach: supporting the day-to-day rugby business and assisting with the backs’ attack and defence coaching.
In this video, Pete talks about his role, his thoughts on returning and what he’s most looking forward to this season.
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Remind yourself of Pete’s history with us.
Attack Coach – Mike Aspinall
Mike Aspinall has joined Leeds Tykes as Attack Coach. Mike, who played for Leeds Tykes between 2006 and 2008 was Assistant Backs Coach as part of Andy Key’s coaching team. He was also Assistant Coach under Diccon Edwards.
Mike started his coaching career while playing for Harrogate. He became Head Coach/Director of Rugby at Harrogate working with Rob Rawlinson who was scrum coach.
Consultant Forwards Coach – James Phillips
James joined Leeds Tykes as Consultant Forwards Coach in May 2022.
He started his career Bristol, before playing for Exeter, Bath and Sale.
Consultant Scrum Coach – Rob Rawlinson
Rob joined Leeds Tykes as Consultant Scrum Coach in June 2022. He re-joins the Tykes where he was hooker from 1999 until 2010. Rob helped us win the 2004–05 Powergen Cup, in which he was a replacement at the final.
Since his retirement in 2010 from a neck injury, Rob has worked at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, where, currently, he is Head of Sport.
As well as Head Coach and Director of Rugby at the collegiate, Rob has been scrum and forwards coach at Harrogate RUFC.
Strength and conditioning coach – Charlie Venables
Charlie Venables, our utility back, is our strength and conditioning coach. Charlie has a Masters in S&C from Leeds Beckett University and is a UK S&C Accredited Coach.
He started his S&C career as an Intern at Leeds Beckett and Leeds Rhinos before becoming their full-time coach.
Charlie’s role is to look after all Leeds Tykes’ performance aspects by planning, delivering and reviewing the squad members’ gym and strength programme. He does the same for on-field conditioning, to make sure the squad are match-fit.
Find out what strength & conditioning is all about. In this video, Charlie talks about his responsibilities, how he goes about them, how the lads are doing and more.
Support staff
General Manager – Jake Brady
Jake joined the club as a player in 2019. When Tykes moved to West Park Leeds he assumed the role of General Manager alongside his playing duties. Jake heads up the Community Programme as well as working alongside Gary Hetherington on the commercial arm of the club and Pete Seabourne with everything rugby related.
Mike Bidgood
Mike has been involved with the club for thirty years. He’s currently Leeds Tykes’ company secretary.
He also has a few other roles:
Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Secretary
Referee Co-ordinator
Discipline Secretary
International Ticket Contact
4th Official – Dave Lowther
Dave played for Leeds clubs from the 1970s – 1990s and has been involved in coaching the academy and officiating since then. He is now the Tykes’ 4th official.
Medical team
Team Doctor – Tony McWilliams
Doc has been around the club for a number of years now providing excellent support and care as our match day doctor.