MALVERN Rugby Club have announced the appointment of Paul Brownhill as their chairman of youth rugby.

Mr Brownhill replaces Gary Tolley, who officially stood down as the head of Malvern's highly successful youth development section in May 2004, but has remained in the post until a suitable replacement had been found by the Spring Lane club.

Mr Brownhill has taken on the responsibility for one of the most thriving youth sport groups in the Malvern Hills district. With over 270 members registered with its 12 junior rugby teams, supported by a team of 28 volunteer coaches, managers and administrators and commanding an operating budget of over £10,000 per year, he is seen by the club as the most suitable person to lead the club's youth development section after Gary Tolley's long tenure in office.

Paul Brownhill is a self-employed painter and decorator and a part-time leading firefighter based at Malvern. He is also a leading Fire Brigade Union official.

He is an All-England netball umpire and Sport England level II coach and tutor and at present he is coaching the Malvern Angels U14 squad at Spring Lane. His wife, Joan, is one of the country's top netball coaches and together they have years of experience of working with young people and coaching and administrative staff at local, regional and national levels.

Paul Brownhill is keen to keep the youth development section of Malvern Rugby Club at the heart of the local community. Over the next few months the club's youth coaches will be visiting local Cub Scout and Girl Guide groups across the district to provide special tag-rugby coaching sessions for a Malvern Hills district council funded tag rugby festival later in the summer.

Paul Brownhill can be contacted through Malvern RFC on 01684 573728.