ANDY PRATT, skipper of the Kent senior side for the past two seasons, has been appointed as the first Canterbury and district community rugby coach.

Pratt, 29, who started his playing career as an under-10 at the Canterbury club, is the city side's leading try scorer.

He played at national level with northern club Waterloo while a student at Liverpool University and is now studying for his Level 3 coaching qualification.

Pratt said the full-time Rugby Football Union post was a dream job and commented: "Basically it involves developing rugby throughout the district and my first task is to bring the game to secondary schools who at present don’t play the game.

"I will be in contact with all those schools offering free coaching and I hope to arrange an ‘emerging schools’ tournament later in the season."

He also wants to help young players bridge the gap between school and their local clubs.

The Canterbury community coach job, one of only two such appointments in Kent outside the Metropolitan area, will also see him liaise closely with Canterbury High School, part of the School Sports Partnership focusing on up-and-coming sports players.