With the new season nearly upon us, Director of Sport Kieran Power has announced his first team squad for the 2023/24 National League One campaign.
KIERAN POWER, DIRECTOR OF SPORT AND PERFORMANCE
“I am pleased today to announce our playing squad for the upcoming season. Whilst we say goodbye to a number of players, we are confident we have built on the progress made over the last few seasons through the retention of key players and also adding a range of experience and youth with our exciting new signings.
The boys have been working hard over the last two months in preparation for the season, and are raring to get going. We hope the Park faithful will all get behind the squad, starting this Saturday at our open-training session, as we aim for another successful season in National League One.”
NEW SIGNINGS
PROPS
Conor Carey – Experienced tighthead prop from Connacht, Northampton, Perpignan and Worcester Warriors, Conor will bring a wealth of experience to the pack.
Josh Cilia – Dynamic young ball playing prop joins Park from Bath University having had previous Nat 1 experience with Bishop’s Stortford.
Maurice Nwakor – A familiar face, Maurice returns to the club for his second spell after gaining Championship experience with London Scottish. Sponsored by The Ghibaut Family
Josh Pieterse – Loosehead Prop, previously played for Exeter University, Ealing Trailfinders, Ampthill and Bedford Blues.
HOOKERS
Jasper Cameron – An exciting young prospect, Jasper joins straight from Loughborough University and comes with Nat 2 experience with Barnes and Loughborough.
Isaac Miller – Former Loughborough graduate joins Rosslyn to add some quality upfront with his Premiership experience from Worcester Warriors and London Irish.
SECOND ROW
Ed Ashcroft – Joins us from a year out of rugby but previously from Bath University. He will look to bring some sizeable power to the engine room of the Rosslyn Park pack.
Jake Cleet – Joins us from nearby Wimbledon RFC where he had some outstanding seasons in the second row and still has huge potential to grow.
Arinze Okemuo – Comes to us from Newcastle University with a number of appearances with Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership Cup and will be bringing his sizeable frame to the second/back row this season.
BACK ROW
Tom Bloomer – Old face rejoining Park after a stint away at Loughborough University. Tom was a stalwart in our Rangers side three seasons ago, and has come back again to join the 1st XV squad for the 2023/24 National League One Campaign.
Gus Lovatt – An abrasive open side flanker who has been competing for Durham University who have been a top side in the BUCS Super League in the last couple of seasons.
Craig Stevenson – Joins us from Bury St Edmunds, the native Scotsman has had experience for Gordon Rugby Club in Australia and his hometown club of Ayr.
Jacob Wrafter – Jacob brings experience from Nottingham University and for the last couple of seasons has been a regular for Bishop’s Stortford in National One. He can play all across the back row and is known for his destructive ball carrying ability.
SCRUM-HALF
Owen Davies – Former Dragons Academy Product and Welsh U20s who skippered Cardiff University in the BUCS super league and last season played for local side Wimbledon RFC.
Ewan Fenley – Previously played at Ealing Trailfinders, Bedford Blues and Ampthill. Having spent last season with Henley, Ewan joins us to give pivotal experience at the half-back role. Sponsored by Warrener Stewart
FLY-HALF
Lewis Dennett – Former Richmond fly-half who played for them in the Championship, but joins us from Shoot Shield side Manley Marlins in Australia where he has played for the last two seasons. Sponsored by Style Property Maintenance
Jack Martin – Joins us from Sevenoaks Rugby Club where he had an outstanding season last year and has impressed in pre-season so far.
Tom Wilstead – Joins Park after a number of years playing in the Bristol Bears professional ranks with outings for Bristol A and also spent time on loan with Dings Crusaders.
OUTSIDE BACKS
Max Craven – Utility player Max Craven can play anywhere in the midfield or 15. Previously a graduate from Nottingham University and has been a regular for the Bournville side in Nat 2 for the last few seasons.
Theo Manihera – The young 22 year old joins us with experience from Championship sides Nottingham and London Scottish and is hoping to bolster our options at centre. Sponsored by Graham & Sibbald
Patrick Kelly – Former Scotland & GB 7s player plays centre/wing and brings a wealth of professional experience having also played for Glasgow Hawks.
James Stokes – The former Park backs Coach brings his experience from Coventry and most recently London Irish. Will prove invaluable to Park this season with his ability to play at 13, 15 or on the wing.
Matt Williams – Former loanee player Matt Williams had a stint with Park in the 17/18 season and has rejoined this season. Equally good at centre as he is on the wring, his premiership experience will be an asset to the side.
RETAINED
We are delighted to confirm the following players have committed to the club for another season.
FORWARDS
Ali Wade (Gardiner and Theobold), Arthur Ellis (The Redferns), Austin Hay, Buster Wilkins, Charlie Piper (Piper’s 8), Dan Laventure (The Ghibaut Family), Diego Costa, George Hamblin, Gregor Gillanders, Harry Ledger, Henry Spencer (Howard and Dee), Jake Buckingham, Jordan Martin (Mermaid Gin), Matt Bolwell, Sam Garvey, Will Burton
BACKS
Benji Marfo (BlytheRay), Charlie Walker (Stephen and Mike), James Keay, Jack Webster, Joe Luca Smith, Jordan Van Schwlyk, Josh Addams (Rosslyn Park U12s), Luc Smith (Rugby Against Cancer), Luke Baldwin, Matt Gordon, Max Trimble (Halbro), Rob Lind, Theo Alexis, Tom Stanton (BlytheRay), Will Glover (Grosvenor Orthopaedics)
LEAVERS
As always, it is sad to say goodbye to our departing players. We thank them all for their service and wish them all the best for the future. We look forward to welcoming them to The Rock to support from the sidelines.
Cameron Zeiss – Retired
Craig Holland – Moved on to Dorking Rugby Club
Dave Lewis – Retired
Dylan Flashman – Retired
Henry Cheeseman – Moved on to Richmond FC
Henry Robinson – Retired
Jack Gash – Retired
Jared Saunders – Retired
Luc Jones – Moved on to Richmond FC
Nick Lovell – Retired
Seb Strang – Moved back to Australia
MEET THE SQUAD: OPEN TRAINING SESSION
A reminder that this Saturday’s pre-season game against Henley has been cancelled, and we will be hosting an open training session instead.
Bars will open at 1.30PM, and there will be complimentary food available from 2PM. Training will start at 2.30PM, and will include an intra-squad match.
Supporters will then have the chance to meet the squad following training and we will also be showing England vs Wales in the clubhouse at 5.30PM.
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP
Player Sponsorship a great opportunity to be linked with a Rosslyn Park player and to follow his progress throughout the season. It is also an important source of funding for our 1st XV Squad and the club would greatly appreciate your support
The package for 2023/24, which costs £450 + VAT includes:
- Company logo/name against player profile on the match-day scoreboard
- Company logo/name against player profile in match-day programme and website
- PA Announcement when your player scores a try
- 10 1st XV Home Game General Admission tickets to use throughout the season
- 6 General Admission tickets to the London Floodlit 7s 2024
- Social Media Announcements of your Sponsorship
If you would like to sponsor a player this season, please contact izzy.lovell@rosslynpark.co.uk