Patrick O’Grady has taken up the position of Director of Rugby Development at OC Rugby. Joining from the RFU, Patrick previously ran the London Irish Academy, a pathway for promising youth players to grow into the highest echelons of the sport.

Will Fawcett, chairman of OCRFC, said, “Patrick brings with him a vast amount of advanced coaching and playing experience, and this will be critical for the Club and the next stage of the OCRFC evolution. Critically we want to keep players in sport, in rugby and at OCs, and we see Patrick as a vital element of that ambition.”

Patrick O’Grady responded: “I am very pleased to be taking up this new role for OC Rugby. Grassroots rugby is so important to this game of ours, and I was immediately drawn to OC Rugby’s energy, values and family-orientated nature. At the same time, I admire the Club’s coaching ambition: to evolve technically and broaden its approach to developing the players. I look forward to meeting the players, parents and the coaches.”

Patrick O’Grady has been the Academy Manager of London Irish, one of the sport’s top academies since 2016. He has been with the RFU, England Rugby, as Academy Manager since June 2023 and responsible for the player development pathway from the Premiership youth academies to the international age groups.

A Level 4 RFU Coach – the RFU’s highest qualification, Patrick has just completed a Master’s degree in Coaching Science and has a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Conditioning, amongst other sports qualifications.

Patrick’s playing experience includes London Irish, Gloucester, Esher RFC (and their ‘Sevens’ Captain), Hartpury 1st XV (University BUSA Champions *3), England U18 and the John Fisher School (1st XV Captain).