Jack Malkin to continue as Wisbech Rugby Club captain for 2023/24 season
Jack Malkin will continue as Wisbech Rugby Club’s first team captain for the upcoming 2023/24 rugby season, the club has confirmed.
The fly half, who can also cover scrum-half, has been a vital and inspirational figure for the 1st XV for a number of years – and was handed the armband ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
The experienced 31-year-old had an impressive run as captain which saw the 1st XV win the league and crowned Counties 2 Eastern Counties 2022/23 champions, with Malkin’s personal contribution of 141 point making him the top point scorer for the season.
This achievement has seen the 1st XV promoted to Counties 1 Eastern Counties, with the club set to play at the highest league level it has ever played.
Malkin has played at Wisbech since the age of six, and played through the age groups before making his senior 1st XV debut at 16.
Director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal said: “Jack is the obvious choice and it’s a well-deserved appointment.
“We are fortunate to have several strong leaders in our squad who rallied behind Jack which proved to be invaluable as we went on to win the league.
“Jack has been a senior player and part of the leadership group for several years, he galvanizes the group, a tough, no-nonsense leader, and he is well aware of what part he plays within the club’s progression.
“He’s hugely respected by all of his teammates and coaches alike, he says the right things at the right time but doesn’t say too much, he leads by example and that’s what we want from a leader.
“ I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole club in wishing Jack and the squad all the best for the exciting season ahead.”
Malkin added: “I feel very privileged and honoured to be asked again to captain the 1st XV of such a fantastic club and to be among the group of illustrious names who have done it before.
“I love having my young family pitch side on matchdays and looking forward to pre-season with the lads ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
The news comes a week after the club revealed that last season’s player of the year Gerhard Wessels will continue as senior head coach.
Senior players and age grade coaches Nathaniel Humphreys and Luke Hare have also been appointed as coaching co-ordinators for the age groups running from U6s to U12s, and the junior section for U13s to U16s respectively.
The senior squad will start pre-season training on Tuesday and Thursdays from August 1, with their first warm-up match against Peterborough at Harecroft Lane on September 2 at 3pm. New players are welcome.
