The decision of Gary Stennett to stand down as Director of Rugby at Farnham RFC at the end of this season clearly left us with a huge hole to fill. The route to the new appointment started with establishing Terms of Reference that clearly set out what it was we were searching for as we continue to mature and develop as a club. Core to these requirements was for an individual who could work with all sections of the club to help recruit, retain and develop players, coaches, support teams and volunteers across common player pathways.

In total we had nine applicants for the role - eight internal and one external. From this long-list, three were short-listed and they were interviewed by a four person panel representing playing sections from across the club. Each of those short-listed were excellent candidates but in the final analysis the individual selected was Mark Scoular.

Mark is a known face around the club as his boys Louis & Sonny, have been playing throughout their Mini/Junior/Academy years and Mark himself can be regularly seen refereeing games across all age-grades at the club as a L6 referee for both Hampshire and the Royal Navy.

Mark has an extensive playing history having started his rugby journey in Mini rugby at Burton upon Trent RFC in Staffordshire. He continued to play through his time as a Royal Marines Commando and as a Police Officer in the Metropolitan Police Service, reaching the pinnacle of his rugby career as Captain of Navy Scotland. Since joining Farnham Rugby with his boys, Mark continued with his rugby education with the RFU. He extended his coaching for a period to Haslemere First XV, both Lord Wandsworth and Churchers Colleges, is an Advanced Match Official, Head of Appointments for Hampshire Referees Society, an RFU Mentor and an Occasional Trainer, capable of delivering both the England Rugby Match Official and Coaching awards.

During his interview, Mark spoke of his focus on young people rugby, embedding the RFU core values across the entire club and how strategically we can drive the entire club forward to build on what already exists, to achieve even greater levels of excellence whether that be as a coach, player, volunteer, match official or enthusiastic supporter.

Please do say ‘Hi’ to Mark when you see him around the club!