ROYAL Wootton Bassett RFC legend Tim Gallimore will start a fresh role at the club next season, following his retirement announcement at the start of the year.

Gallimore will act as the club’s new strength and conditioning coach as Bassett look to better their fifth-placed position in South West One (East) achieved this season.

The 42-year-old made his senior debut in 1994 before being revealed as club captain in 2013 – a role he held for two seasons.

His latest role at the club has been granted in line with the opening of Bassett’s new gym, which aims to increase opportunities for youngsters wanting to develop their game while aiding the senior team’s ambition to push for promotion to the south west’s top tier.

Head coach Alan Low said Gallimore’s addition to the coaching staff will prove invaluable for next season.

He added: “It’s exciting times for the club, we have the new gym being installed and the building will be completed in the next two to three weeks.

“Preparation is already in place for next season, one of the reasons why Tim Gallimore decided to retire was to focus on taking over that side of the club.

“He has been working with Swindon Barbell and will be taking some courses over the summer, so he’s really looking forward to getting stuck into that.

“The focus for us as a club will be the under 14s, 15s and 16s – and making sure we have the facilities in place to develop their game.”

Low also hopes the new building can boost membership numbers at the club, which currently float between the 850 to 900 mark.

Given the 16,000 total population of Royal Wootton Bassett, Low is pleased the club has made a positive impact on the town.

He said: “If you look at our ratio of membership compared to the town’s population, it’s huge.

“I know we attract a few members from the other side of the M4, but to have a membership of 850 to 900 in a town of 16,000 is absolutely fantastic.

“Everything around the club is heading in the right direction to keep things progressing slowly.

“We’re not trying to push ourselves too quickly too soon, we’re trying to get things right so we’re sustainable in the right way.

“And a big part of that is to create players of the future.”