Former Kesteven Colt will join Leicester Tigers in summer
A former Kesteven Colt has been snapped up by Leicester Tigers.
Oliver Chessum will join up with the Gallagher Premiership side this summer, as he departs Championship side Nottingham.
Oliver is from Sleaford, and played for Kesteven for four years.
Leicester Tigers confirmed this week that the 19-year-old, who is also a member of England Rugby’s U20 training squad, will join the club for the 2020-21 season.
Announcing the signing on the Leicester Tigers’ website, Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Ollie is a local youngster and someone we have had an eye on since his junior days.
“After a great season with Nottingham, he’s earned the opportunity and we are excited about where we believe he can go and what he can do for the club.”
Nineteen-year-old Ollie says he is “buzzing” ahead of making the move to Leicester. “I’ve been a supporter since I was able to pick up a rugby ball and only a couple of years ago I was in the stands watching as a fan.
“To have the opportunity to learn from and work with guys like Tom Youngs and other experienced internationals is great and I hope to be able to excel while working under Steve Borthwick in the forward pack.
“Tigers want to develop young, local players like me and that’s massive.”
Kesteven Rugby has well-established links with its closest Premiership side. Fereti “Freddie” Tuilagi – former Tigers back and Samoan international – and the brother of current England, Lions and Tigers legend, Manu Tuilagi – is currently Kesteven’s Head of Rugby.
Many Kesteven Rugby members also make the weekly pilgrimage to Welford Road during the rugby season. Last summer, Kesteven Rugby also helped field a mixed team of senior players at Tigers Touch Rugby day, coming away with some silverware for Kesteven Rugby’s
cabinet.
Angus Shaw, Kesteven Rugby’s president, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted for Ollie. His journey from the grassroots to grandstand is one we have all watched here at Kesteven Rugby with great pride. We are so pleased for him.
“Stories like Ollie’s inspire Kesteven’s Junior and Mini section to keep enjoying their rugby. It shows what is possible with commitment, discipline and teamwork.”
Head coach of Nottingham Rugby Neil Fowkes said: “I am really pleased that Ollie has been given an opportunity to go back into a Premiership environment following a successful season with us and we wish him all the best with Leicester Tigers.
“Through our relationships with the Premiership clubs in our region we can work closely to identify talent that needs further nurturing whilst helping us be successful on the field.
“Ollie is a fine example of this working.
“This has been at the core of Nottingham Rugby for many years. Everyone at the club wishes Ollie the best of luck with the move. I am sure that someone with his attitude will be a success.”
