Exeter Chiefs Women name Mike Pope as new backs coach
Mike Pope has played 86 times for Cornish Pirates
©PA
Exeter Chiefs Women have announced the appointment of Mike Pope as the new backs coach ahead of the 2024/25 season.
He will join the club from University of Exeter where held the role of rugby performance coach.
Following his playing career that saw him feature 86 times for Cornish Pirates and stints with Exeter Chiefs in the LV= Cup and for England Students, he led coaching for the Bath Rugby Developing Player Programme and coached the Dorset & Wiltshire’s U15s, U16s and U20s county sides.
He has collaborated extensively with secondary schools to integrate rugby union into the PE curriculum, which included training teachers and running after-school clubs, all while facilitating the transition of players to local clubs.
Pope also served as a rugby coach at Bryanston School, was the director of coaching at Bournemouth RFC, and held the position of head of rugby at Bournemouth Collegiate School.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Exeter Chiefs and supporting the women’s programme," said Pope to the club's official website.
"This will be a new and exciting challenge for me alongside my role at the University of Exeter, and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.
“I am looking forward to working with such an ambitious group of players and coaches who share a strong desire to win and achieve great things.
“Looking ahead to the upcoming season, anything less than battling for a place in the final would be a disappointment to us all. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to the team’s success.”
