Darlington Mowden Park are delighted to confirm the appointments of their club and 1st XV captains respectively ahead of the 2019/20 season. Joe Craggs has been announced as club captain, while Ollie Hodgson has been confirmed as Men’s 1st XV captain.

Head Coach Garry Law explained the appointment of Craggs as club captain: “The Club captain is a new role for this season and one we feel will work really well for not only the team but the club as a whole. We see this person having the respect of the players and supporters alike and is someone who always gives his 100% both on and more importantly off the pitch. We hope to add events throughout the coming season which will hopefully grow the already strong bond between players and supporters. We are 100% confident this will help Joe move his rugby forward which in turn will benefit the team and club as a whole.”

Speaking ahead of his first season in the new role, the 22 year-old said: “It’s an honour to be asked to do such a role at a young age for my boyhood club. I can’t wait to get stuck into the new season and push with this squad as far as we can!”

Ollie Hodgson will continue as 1st XV captain for the coming season, with Law adding: “It was a very easy decision to appoint Ollie as the match day captain for another year. As a coaching team we see the role of the match day captain as someone who can keep their head in the heat of battle which allows them to make quick and clear decisions and can also communicate well with the officials throughout the match. Ollie has always shown that he more than matches these attributes and is well respected by the team as a whole.”

Coming into the season on the back of his second tour with England Counties, Hodgson commented: “I’m really looking forward to being match day captain this year and working with Craggsy and other leaders within the squad to drive the team forward. Throughout pre-season we have set our standards very high which is driving the competition and the development of all the players. It’s important that these standards do not drop as we get further into the season if we want to achieve the goals we have set as a team.”

Speaking ahead of next weekend’s pre-season opener against Tynedale, the 24 year-old added: “Boys are working very hard behind the scenes to get their bodies ready which is going to put is in a very good position for the games ahead. I am looking forward to the fixtures and seeing the new lads in the squad play because we have brought some real talent in to strengthen the squad even further.”

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