IT WILL be all change at Tavistock Rugby Club next season as both head coach Joel Caddy and captain George Hillson have announced their departures from the club.
Caddy, who joined the Sandy Park side in January 2020, is stepping down due to work commitments, while scrum-half Hillson is joining Regional One South West side Launceston after starring for Tavistock over the last few seasons.
Hillson, who has impressed for Devon in this year’s County Championship, was attracting interest from a host of higher league clubs, but neighbouring Launceston have persuaded him to make the short move to Polson Bridge.
Caddy is not joining another club – he just says he cannot no longer commit the time needed to properly coach the Western West side.
“I just can’t commit to it. I just have too much to do,” said Caddy, who has had 13 non-stop seasons coaching rugby.
“But I have bloody enjoyed it – it’s been great fun and we have played some good rugby doing it.
“Other teams and referees have complimented us on the way we played and I think the lads enjoyed it also.
“They are a great bunch up there and the lads all bought into what I wanted to do.
“But all good things have to come to an end.
“It will be sad to go, but at the same time I think the club is in a lot better place than when I went there.”
Tavistock were struggling in the Cornwall/Devon League when Caddy joined them just before the covid outbreak when previous head coach James Reyburn moved to New Zealand.
In his first full season after covid, the club finished sixth in the Cornwall/Devon League before storming to the title in 2023-23 and winning promotion to level seven.
Last season they came seventh in their first campaign in Counties One Western West.
Caddy is confident the club have got a squad that can continue to progress, despite the loss of Hillson, who has been the club’s top scorer for the past couple of seasons.
“George is a talented player and I think he’ll do well at Launceston,” said Caddy.
“But there’s other talented players at Tavistock and they do produce a few from the colts.
“I will certainly be looking to see what their scores are every week.”