TWO teachers from Gosfield School played an important role in Colchester Rugby Club’s promotion-winning season.

PE teacher Nic Lloyd is the backs coach at Mill Road while his assistant at the Halstead school, Brett Cutbush, plays fullback for the side.

The two popular staff members, who are originally from New Zealand, received plaudits for the part they played in helping the club win promotion to the National League for the first time in their history.

Lloyd, who reintroduced rugby back on to the curriculum when he arrived at Gosfield five years ago, says Colchester’s success has rubbed off on the school.

He said: “We are only a small school but we are managing to field teams in the year groups 12 to 18 and there is growing interest in the sport.

“The boys enjoy the game and benefit from the positive qualities that rugby brings.”

Lloyd, who is also a boarding master at the school, is proud of the achievements at Colchester.

He added: “We lost our first game by one point but then went 25 games unbeaten to clinch the title.

“It was a brilliant season and the whole squad were fantastic.”