Mark Luffman on why he couldn't be prouder to take over the DMP Durham Sharks hotseat; Luffman inherited the job after a tricky campaign and is preparing for an Allianz Premier 15s opener against Gloucester-Hartpury on Saturday.
Byline: By, Will Jennings
Proud Yorkshireman Mark Luffman says his appointment as DMP Durham Sharks boss is a match made in heaven.
The north-east side endured a torrid campaign last season and finished bottom of the Allianz Premier League table -with just nine points from 18 matches.
A record of one win all season is a nasty one to inherit but Luffman, who coached Sharks' men's 1 st XV for two seasons between 2017 and 2020, is relishing the prospect of assuming command in the Darlington hotseat.
Sharks travel to Gloucester-Hartpury in Saturday's opener and Luffman, who was only appointed as DMP chief this week, said: "I'm from the north and there's a huge passion within Yorkshire and the north-east for rugby and within Yorkshire for rugby.
"One of my goals, one of my aims is to harness all that goodwill and enthusiasm and get it pointed in one direction.
"It's really exciting -- I'm only a week into the job but it's been great, the girls have been really welcoming and really enthusiastic so it's really exciting to crack on with the job.
"I think every team is looking at every element to improve, so we're taking things one step at a time putting basic principles in place.
"The ultimate aim is to make ourselves competitive in the league and I think we've got a good chance of doing that this year."
The Allianz Premier 15s is the elite women's domestic rugby union competition in England and having been won by high-flying Harlequins last season, continues to grow year on year.
The Premier 15s will once again be played over 18 rounds, culminating with play-offs 21 May 2022 and a title final 4 June 2022, venue TBC.
With no promotion or relegation, there are no changes to the 10 teams within England's top-flight of women's domestic rugby, operating in a league format with home and away fixtures.
Sharks last took to the pitch in front of crowds back in January 2020 before the COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the domestic rugby circuit.
The Yorkshire side host Saracens -- who lost to Harlequins in last year's Premier 15s final -- in their first home fixture on 11 September and Luffman can't wait to see the Darlington...
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