Oakham Rugby Club have appointed Jamie Ray as their new head coach.

Oakham Rugby Club have a clear vision for their future after appointing a new senior head coach.

Jamie Ray is returning to the Showground after starting his coaching career with the Rutland club.

He initially assisted the club with age group rugby and later led the colts to several successful seasons.

Since then, Ray has amassed extensive experience and served as a backs coach before eventually leading the Leicestershire Under 18s programme.

He played a crucial role in nurturing young talent at the Leicester Tigers Junior Academy before spending three seasons with Leicester Forest.

Ray oversaw a highly-successful period for the club and where he developed colts players and integrated them into the senior team.

Under his leadership, Forest won the league twice, secured the county cup and also finished as runners-up in both competitions.

He now comes back to an Oakham side who had a difficult campaign last season.

They finished second-from-bottom and were relegated from Counties 2 Midlands East (South).

A statement from Oakham Rugby Club said: "Jamie's coaching journey has been marked by continuous learning and growth.

"He is eager to bring his experience and energy back to Oakham and senior rugby.

"Moving into senior rugby represents the natural next step in his coaching career.

"This allows him to apply his extensive knowledge and leadership to a broader, more competitive environment.

"The club's commitment to excellence and development aligns seamlessly with Jamie's coaching philosophy.

"There is a clear vision for the club's future with exciting goals in place and Jamie is confident that he can make a significant impact in the seasons ahead.

"He aims to foster growth, unity and success within Oakham and this marks an exciting new chapter for the club.

"With Jamie at the helm, we look forward to building a future rooted in passion, progress and pride."

Oakham will spend this season in the 12-team Counties 3 Midlands East (South).

The league also includes Aylestone Athletic, Birstall, Leicester Lions III, Market Harborough II, Rugby St Andrews, Rugby Welsh, South Leicester, Sileby Town, Stamford College, Syston III, Vipers II.

Title-winning Stamford Rugby Club will be playing in Regional 2 Midlands East next season.

The purple, black and whites have gained promotion after winning the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) crown last season.

They face a tasty derby duel with Peterborough along with clashes against Kettering and Market Harborough.

The rest of the teams in the division include Bedford Athletic, Broadstreet, Daventry, Northampton OS, Oadby Wyggestonians, Olney and Wellingborough.

Bourne will face a number of new challenges after being switched to Counties 1 Midlands East (North).

Their opponents for next season will be Ashby, Kesteven, Keyworth, Lincoln, Loughborough University II, Market Rasen, Mellish, Nottingham Moderns, Nottingham University, Southwell and Spalding.