Everitt named Head Coach with two-year extension

• 13 Jan 2024
• News

Sean Everitt today penned a new two-year extension with Edinburgh Rugby as the club’s Head Coach.

The new deal keeps Everitt in the Scottish capital until June 2026, with the announcement coming ahead of tonight’s sold-out European clash against Gloucester at Hive Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).

Everitt has enjoyed a promising start to life at Edinburgh Rugby, with the capital side sitting fifth in the BKT United Rugby Championship after last month’s derby win against Glasgow Warriors in front of a club-record 37,904 crowd at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

On extending terms, Everitt said: “I’m delighted to sign an extension with Edinburgh Rugby. I’ve absolutely loved my time here so far and it really does feel like home now.

“The management, staff and squad helped me settle in right away and I’ve felt welcomed from my first day in the role. It’s an honour to lead this historic club and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the years to come.”

Former Sharks boss Everitt joined the club last July having been part of the Durban franchise for over 15 years.

Spearheading a coaching team of Stevie Lawrie (Forwards Coach), Michael Todd (Defence Coach) and Rob Chystie (Skills and Assistant Attack Coach), Everitt got the new campaign off to the best possible start with back-to-back BKT United Rugby Championship wins against Dragons RFC and Emirates Lions.

Everitt helped lead Edinburgh Rugby to further league victories over Connacht, Vodacom Bulls and Ulster, with the win in Belfast the capital club’s first at Kingspan Stadium since February 2018.

On the European front, a home bonus-point victory over Castres Olympique puts Edinburgh Rugby in a promising position to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, going into tonight’s capacity clash with the Cherry and Whites.

Everitt added: “It’s been a good solid start to the season but we still feel like there are a lot of areas to work on. That in itself is really pleasing. This team can still improve and fans should be excited about what this group can achieve in the second-half of the campaign.

“The coaching group around me has also been a huge help in terms of getting the best out of the squad. The support they have shown me since day one has been second to none and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Stevie, Michael and Rob, who are all excellent coaches.”

Everitt’s extension news follows the recent announcement of several high-profile player re-signings, with Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, Grant Gilchrist and James Lang all putting pen-to-paper with new deals with the capital club.

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth welcomed Everitt’s contract extension in a move he believes will bring further stability to the club.

He said: “Sean [Everitt] has been excellent for us since taking charge last summer and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with him. This new deal brings us further stability and allows us to continue to move the club forward, both on and off the pitch.

“Last month’s club-record crowd at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, and tonight’s sell out at Hive Stadium, show the progress we’re making as a club. We’ve moved into our new home, generated a first class matchday experience and atmosphere, achieved record average-crowds, achieved record season ticket numbers, and achieved record income levels year-on-year since the Covid pandemic.

“On the field, our performances have been really promising under Sean’s leadership, setting us up nicely for the business end of the season in the coming months.

He continued: “I’m absolutely delighted that Sean has agreed to extend his contract with us and he will play a key role in the club’s continued growth and success over the coming years.

“With a number of our top internationalists already re-signed, and with Sean now in position as Head Coach until at least June 2026, I think our fans should be very excited for the future.”