Darlington Mowden Park is delighted to confirm the coaching and management team that will lead our newly named Development XV into the 2026/27 season.

Competing in North East Counties 2 South, the Development XV plays a vital role within the club's player pathway, bridging the gap between junior rugby and the 1st XV while providing a competitive environment for players to develop, perform and push for higher honours.

Leading the programme is Head and Forwards Coach Andrew Kennedy, supported by Backs Coach Nathan Harrap and long-serving Team Manager Stuart Edwardson.

Andrew Kennedy – Head & Forwards Coach
A familiar face returns to Darlington Mowden Park as former front rower Andy Kennedy takes charge of the club's newly formed Development XV.

A long-standing coach and programme lead at Newcastle University, Andy has helped develop countless players through one of the country's leading university rugby programmes. His coaching experience also includes roles with the England Students Men's programme, where he currently serves as Team Manager, alongside involvement with the North East Centre of Excellence and the Durham Player Development Programme.

His passion for developing young players and creating high-performance environments makes him the ideal person to lead the next generation of Darlington Mowden Park talent.

Away from rugby, Andy is equally well known in strength athletics as a two-time UK Master Truck Pull Champion, regularly using his achievements to raise money for charitable causes.

Speaking about his return to the club, Andy said:
"The club gave me so much as a player, and the opportunity to come back to DMP as a coach at such an exciting time for the club was something I simply could not pass up. There's a real vision for where the club is heading, and I'm looking forward to helping develop players, building a competitive environment and playing my part in creating a pathway that gives young players every opportunity to progress through the senior ranks."

Nathan Harrap – Backs Coach
Nathan Harrap joins Darlington Mowden Park from Harrogate RUFC, where he served as Head Coach of the women's programme, bringing with him a strong reputation for developing players and creating positive, high-performance environments.

Alongside his time at Harrogate, Nathan has coached within Newcastle University's rugby programme and the Yorkshire Player Development Group, while also working within the Newcastle Red Bulls Academy Foundation Programme, supporting the development of emerging talent across the region.

Known for empowering players to take ownership of their development while providing clear direction and individual coaching, Nathan's approach aligns perfectly with the club's long-term vision of building a strong player pathway.

His experience across community, university and academy rugby makes him an exciting addition to the coaching team as the squad prepares for the 2026/27 season.

Speaking about joining Mowden, Nathan said:
"DMP is a club I have had massive respect for throughout my travels around the North East over the years, and when I was offered the opportunity to come and coach the senior men's programme, it was one I simply couldn't turn down. The chance to work with Andy again, alongside a new group of coaches, was really exciting. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the work, helping develop players and being part of the exciting journey this club is beginning."

Stuart Edwardson – Team Manager
Few people embody Darlington Mowden Park quite like Stuart Edwardson.

Stuart's association with the club stretches back more than four decades, having first joined Mowden as an Under-16 player in 1980 before progressing through the Colts and into the 1st XV, where he represented the club as a scrum-half from 1983 to 1993.

Following his playing career, Stuart captained the club's 3rd XV before dedicating himself to coaching and administration. He has coached across the minis, juniors and colts sections for over 20 years, served as both Minis and Junior Chairman, and has been Team Manager across various senior teams for the past 24 years.

His knowledge of the club, commitment to its values and unwavering dedication make him an invaluable part of the Development XV setup.

Speaking about the future of the club, Stuart said:
"I'm really looking forward to what the future holds and seeing what the link-up between DMP and Newcastle Red Bulls can bring. What excites me most is what it means for our young minis and juniors, who now have a clear pathway right through to senior rugby. Having been involved with this club for so many years, it's fantastic to see the opportunities that are being created for the next generation, and I'm proud to play a small part in helping those players on their journey."

The Development XV is central to Darlington Mowden Park's long-term vision, providing ambitious players with the opportunity to train, compete and progress within a clearly defined pathway.

With an experienced coaching team in place and strong links to the 1st XV coaching group, the squad is perfectly positioned to help develop the next generation of Mowden players.

As preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign, the future is looking bright for the club's newest chapter.