Rupert Cooper

Profile

Current employment  

Rugby coach.

Rupert's interview with Scribbler, November 2008

Educated: Kings School, Ely; Bishop Stortford College, Hertfordshire

Occupation: Rugby Coach, Wintersfold School, Chaddesley Corbett

Previous Clubs: Bishop Stortford, Northampton, Kenilworth, Durbanville (Capetown, South Africa)

Debut: v Nuneaton (h) Feb 2008

Rupert knew that rugby was in the blood a long time ago, but got a bit of a shock from the family tree when he joined Stourbridge late in 2007. "It was only then that dad told me that me that my grandfather Bob Cooper had played second row here at Stourton for a couple of seasons!" Rupert's father Tony had himself captained Wasps from the back row in the seventies and a quick search on Google identified him as one of a couple of names involved in Lawrence Dallaglio's swansong at Adams Park earlier this year. I have to confess that Tony Cooper is described as a ‘Golden Oldie', whilst Huw Davies (late of this parish) is listed as a ‘Star of the Eighties'. "Brother Alex is the only one of the family that got pretty boy looks - I'm sure from mum - and played University representative level as a fly half." Father Tony had gone on to play Rugby League for Swinton and Kent Invicta.

So it was the forwards for Rupert who started playing at school and in the minis in Ely, but the chance to further his game led him westwards to Bishop Stortford College - and Bishops Stortford Rugby Club - where rugby was taken far more seriously. "The Club won the National Colts Cup in 2005, beating Old Northamptonians in the final and at school I was exposed to a fantastic opportunity with my first real tour. In my first year sixth we went to New Zealand for an intense ten day trip to the Rugby Academy in Palmerston, where we received advice from such famous All Blacks as Murray Mexted, Frank Bunce, Dave Loveridge and Ian Jones.

" His rugby heroes had always been Southern Hemisphere players, "Zinzan Brooke was always the one for me". The experience with the Academy certainly whetted Rupert's appetite for the game and on return from that tour he led Bishop Stortford College to an unbeaten season in both Seven- and Fifteen-A-Side versions.

Northampton expressed an interest in Rupert and he trialled for their Academy but it didn't work out. "I did however meet both Danny Pointon and Dan Lavery at Northampton, and was to be reunited with them at Stour a season or so afterwards."

Whilst at Bishops Stortford close relationships with a couple of South African coaches led to the chance to spend six months playing rugby in Capetown. Springbok Schalke Burger had been another role model. "I played for Durbanville who organised accommodation and employment which involved both bar work and the chance to start coaching. I returned to England in July 2007 at the end of their season, and joined Kenilworth. Unfortunately this didn't really work out, but a journalist I knew well contacted Mitch and explained the position. I guess the rest is history."

Rupert played for the 1st XV last season, making his league debut at home against Nuneaton, but spent a fair proportion of his time in the Development Squad, many of whom have now filtered through to this year's League XV. "Last season provided a stepping stone for a lot of us. The training was no less intense than the 1st XV and has enabled players to make the step up to Division Two rugby in this campaign. However, I'm a big believer that whilst training provides the background for success on the field there is no substitute for game time. That's when you really learn your rugby."

"The Development Squad has been vital in providing strength in depth for the 1st XV this season, and the fact that so many of us have played together last year helps to develop understanding." Having missed last week's reversal at Cinderford - though Rupert spectated, sporting a black eye that was the envy of many a panda - he is keen to return to the action today.

His dynamic displays this season have caught the eye on a regular basis, but it's unlikely that proud father Tony will be able to see how Rupert is progressing today. "Mum and Dad still live in Cambridge - and they did watch us play the first game of the season over there - but it's a bit far to come for home games." They can rest assured that Rupert is continuing the family's proud rugby tradition admirably.

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