Kenilworth RFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Price as head coach and director of rugby.
The 42-year-old has an outstanding playing background, having started more than 300 games at hooker for Bedford Blues and Coventry before moving into coaching, where he has worked in development roles and at national league level.
The ambitious move for Price comes as Kenilworth look to rebuild and restructure following a difficult season at Level 5.
Current DOR Jamie Peacock is stepping away from his role for the 2025/26 season and it will now be combined with the head coach role at Glasshouse Lane.
Peacock said: “We are delighted to have secured someone of Matt’s calibre.
“It shows real intent in our journey to re-establish this great club as one of the best in the region.
“The search for a new head coach has been a thorough process, and the club has spoken to some strong candidates over the past few months.
“Matt’s background in youth development and the fact he has worked so successfully in growing participation in community rugby were considered important factors, alongside his excellent playing background and his coaching pedigree at national league level.
“The job required at Kenilworth is specific and we needed someone who showed they understood pathway as well as performance.
“Matt showed that throughout the conversations we held with him.
“More coaching appointments will be made to support Matt in due course.”
Price joined Coventry Rugby in 2010 and became a cornerstone of the team over several seasons.
By 2017, he had made 175 appearances for the club and was recognised as their most capped player at the time.
He was also instrumental in expanding Coventry's community rugby programme, overseeing a substantial increase in youth engagement across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Post playing, Price took on a player-coach role, focusing on developing the next generation of players through Coventry's Player and Coach Development Academy before joining Bournville as head coach, where he stayed for two seasons in National League Two.
He has also completed the RFU’s highly respected Director of Rugby qualification.
Price, who officially takes up his new role in July, added: “From the conversations I have had with the club I’m under no illusions of the size of the task in front of us - but that is partly what has drawn me to the project.
“There are hugely exciting times around the corner at Kenilworth and to be able to shape that with the current players and build a new culture and team is exciting.
“To be able to support the club on a wider scale through the DoR role is also one that is hugely appealing.
“Anyone who has grown up and contributed to the midlands rugby scene is familiar with the reputation and track record of Kenilworth, so I am excited to get started and I am looking forward to working with some fantastic people.”
