Harrison to head Heath coaching team

Yorkshire One side Heath have announced the return of their former captain David Harrison as head coach for the 2015/16 season.
Heath 9.7.2002 Ian D Swift 2 pic's sport. The new captain of Heath rugby union club, Tom Garnett, left, is pictured with the retiring captain, Dave Harrison, right. They are pictured showing off the trophies they won isHeath 9.7.2002 Ian D Swift 2 pic's sport. The new captain of Heath rugby union club, Tom Garnett, left, is pictured with the retiring captain, Dave Harrison, right. They are pictured showing off the trophies they won is
Heath 9.7.2002 Ian D Swift 2 pic's sport. The new captain of Heath rugby union club, Tom Garnett, left, is pictured with the retiring captain, Dave Harrison, right. They are pictured showing off the trophies they won is

It follows Kevin Plant’s decision to stand down after nine years in charge.

Harrison, known as Harry, returns to the West Vale club after an absence of 13 years, during which time he has coached in the national leagues, mainly at neighbouring Cleckheaton.

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He left Heath after the club’s most successful period, which saw them win the Powergen Junior Vase at Twickenham,the Yorkshire Shield and promotion as champions in their famous triple season.

Harrison was keen to develop his coaching career and was invited to join Cleckheaton as head coach by ex-England and British Lion John Bentley. He had two successful, four-year campaigns at Moorend.

Speaking about his return to his roots, the experienced level three coach said he was excited by the prospect of working with the latest crop of Heath talent and being involved with some old friends.

“Kevin has done a super job over the last few years and I’m keen to build on that platform and take it to the next level by securing a quality coaching team around me,” he said.

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Harrison has co-opted former Heath scrum half and level three British Army coach Chris Brown and player coach Mark Sales, who has played at Cleckheaton, Morley and Sandal as well as Yorkshire and the North of England.

“I’ll also be looking to strengthen the playing squad,” added Harrison, who said his aims were promotion, winning the Yorkshire Silver Trophy and building a player base so that Heath could regularly fieldthree teams.

Heath chairman Paul Sutcliffe said he was certain that Harrison was the right man to build on the work done by ‘KP’ and was looking forward to the start of training in June and next season in Yorkshire One.