Sandy Park welcomes back a familiar face

Former Exeter Chiefs captain Tom Hayes will again be a regular feature at Sandy Park, this time, however, in the women’s camp as an assistant coach. 

The women’s team is a newly-formed one and the 41 year-old Hayes will be working alongside Head Coach Susie Appleby. 

“I think we’re all really excited that Tom has come on board,” Appleby to exeterchiefs.co.uk. “Obviously, he already has a great understanding of the Chiefs and all that the club stands for, which is a massive advantage when coming into a new system – even though it’s not that new for him. 

“He’s only been here a few days, but already you can see that he will add a lot to our structure. Having him come in and offer that different voice, it’s just great, because not only does he offer different ideas and different thinking, but he’s bringing his own knowledge and experience into the group. 

“When speaking to Rob [Baxter] about him, he assured me that Tom has a real attention to detail and that’s something I know our girls will really benefit from. Having his experience, his leadership and his all-round knowledge will be invaluable and it will allow us to not only build on what we created last season, but really push forward again this season.” 

Hayes seems glad to be back at his old haunt. 

“It’s good to be back,” he said. 

“Rob and I have been talking for a while now about carving out a role for me here at the club. Coming back, not a great deal has changed about the place, but I guess certain things have moved on in much the same manner as the Chiefs have progressed. 

“Obviously, the women’s team is a new addition since I left, but you have to credit them for what they’ve achieved already in very difficult circumstances. It’s a fantastic achievement to do what they have, but now we have to launch off the base they laid down last year. 

Already I can see the standard is very good and that everyone is committed to the cause. We’re still waiting on one or two of the internationals to come back over, but there is a clear level of application from everyone and that’s all you can ask for.”