PLYMOUTH Argaum have added Al Sullivan to their coaching team for their second season in Counties Two Devon.
Royal Marine Sullivan will join current coaches Dean Avery, Eddie McGinley and Jack Hiscock in the backroom set-up at Bickleigh Down.
Sullivan played for Argaum last season, but he has been coaching in the marines for 10 years and has agreed to step into a coaching role this coming season.
“After a tough 23/24 season with Argaum as a player, I am really excited to join the coaching team under Dean,” said Sullivan.
“There is a lot of potential in this expanding club.
“Hopefully, this season we can showcase our style of rugby and I hope to get the local community behind its local rugby club.”
Avery said: “It is really exciting to have Al on board and he’s really excited about it.
“We were lucky enough to get him as a player last year. He did do the odd bits and bobs with the team and what I saw him do was fantastic. His knowledge of rugby is going to be integral to us.
“He is also very much about the community and growing the youth rugby as well.”
Avery is also delighted that McGinley has committed to the club for the 2024/25 campaign after joining Argaum for the latter part of last season.
“Eddie McGinley has decided to stay on,” said Avery. “He’s a massive asset to us having joined for the latter part of last season.
“He’s going to run the backs and I’m looking forward to seeing where he is going to take them.
“Eddie’s got a lot of history and experience and a lot of good ideas.”
Avery is also hoping McGinley will continue to play.
“When he has played he has shown his class and so I’m hoping we can encourage him to have another season.”
He added: “Jack Hiscock is also staying and he’s a really good asset. He’s our stat man and he’s going to carry on with that and support on and off the pitch as assistant coach.
“I am massively excited about the way the club is going.
“We are looking forward to the season. We do have the intention of running a second team again.
“We have been doing a bit of touch on a Thursday night and I think everyone is looking forward to getting back.
“This coming season we have got a little bit less travelling, which should suit everyone. Barnstaple away at the end of the season was a difficult trip.
“OPMs is our first game at our place, which will be good. Hopefully us and them will have better seasons and build on last year and climb the table.
“We certainly want to be pushing for mid-to-top this season.”
Argaum will actually start the season with back-to-back home games as they will host Withycombe in their second match.
OPMs open their Counties Two campaign with three derbies. After visiting Argaum, they then host Devonport Services II before visiting newcomers Tamar Saracens.
Tamar Saracens’ opening match will be against Exeter Saracens, while Service II will entertain Honiton.
There is also a big derby game to kick-off the 2024-25 Western West campaign, where Tavistock will host Plymstock Oaks.
In Counties Two Cornwall, Saltash will visit St Just, while in Counties Three Devon South & West, Plympton Victoria will make the short trip to Ivybridge II and Oaks II will host Tavistock II. Old Techs will start their season a week later when they visit Plym Vic.