Phill Mills
Foundation Manager
Phill Mills started with the Foundation in September 2020 as Head of Community Coaching and has worked with the board of Trustees, Community Group and his coaching team to grow rugby engagement in Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool through a range of programmes.
With a wealth of coaching experience in the community and representative sectors and after completing his Sports Coaching degree at the University of Central Lancashire, he started his journey at Preston Grasshoppers RFC before setting up a tag rugby coaching business. Phill also worked as a Community Rugby Coach for England Rugby, and has had numerous coaching roles including Head Coach at UCLan and Forwards Coach for Lancashire u17s.
Phill has come from a rugby playing background including playing for Fylde Rugby 1st XV and has represented Lancashire and England Counties.
Amelia Bullock
Rugby Development Manager
I originally got involved with the sport by volunteering at my local rugby clubs, photographing games, helping on match days, assistant coaching with junior sides, organising club events and fundraisers, and more. This resulted in me being invited down to Twickenham to receive a ‘Community Impact’ award, which really elevated my love for the sport.
From here, I have worked with England Rugby as a CBRE All Schools Coach, working alongside Phill at Kids Unite, being the head of rugby delivery at Colne and Nelson RUFC, before coming to the foundation as a Community Rugby Coach in 2021 – which has seen me get promoted as the Rugby Development Manager over two years ago.
I have played rugby for several years, ranging from both Union to League. I’m currently the captain of North Ribblesdale ladies, but my biggest playing achievement is when I represented Lancashire in a 7’s tournament in Paris.
My aim for being at the foundation is to make rugby accessible for anyone and everyone, I’m a huge advocate for women and girls rugby, and I just want to show people what an amazing sport it is to be involved in.
Ben Turner
Rugby Development Manager
As part of the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, I find immense satisfaction in nurturing the growth of rugby within our community. The Foundation’s commitment to making rugby accessible to all, regardless of age or ability, aligns perfectly with my own beliefs. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness individuals of all backgrounds come together on the rugby field.
Transitioning from university rugby to playing at Fylde was a natural progression in my rugby journey. The opportunity to continue playing for a club with such rich history has been incredibly rewarding. The Fylde Rugby Club has become my second home, where I’ve not only grown as a player but also as a member of a tight-knit rugby community.
Corey Bowker
Community Sports Coach
I started playing rugby when I was in year 7 at high school, I played both rugby league and rugby union up and till I was 15 where I committed completely to rugby union.
I started off at Wigan rugby union and then played Lancashire age grade before going on to Sale Sharks academy. After not being signed professionally when I was 18, I played internationally for Scotland u20’s for 2 years gaining 3 caps in the u20 6 nations tournament against France, Ireland, and Wales. I now play in Fylde’s first team where I have been for 2 years now.
Rugby has been a huge part of my life for many years and I believe it’s one of the greatest and most exciting sports in the world and I want other people to get the experiences I’ve had through playing rugby whether that’s meeting new friends or travelling across the country experiencing new things, this is the main reason I got into coaching as I think everyone should experience how fun rugby can be.
Seb Pattinson
Community Sports Coach
I started playing rugby at 16 and straight away I fell in love with it and knew that I wanted to make it a bigger part of my life than just playing on the weekends.
I went to Kirkham grammar school for high school and sixth form and played rugby every year I was there. Some of the most impactful people in my life were some of the coaches had at school. Their support helped me to grow my confidence not just in the sport but in life and helped me to grow as a person. I see having the opportunity to do that for kids who were in similar positions to myself as a privilege.
When I finished sixth form I still played rugby and joined Fylde RFU, but I’m terms of what kind of what career I wanted to pursue I just felt lost, but last year I got back in touch with one of my old friends from school and he told me all about the foundation, I immediately knew that I wanted to go for it so I got in touch with Phill (Foundation manager) and things took off from there.
I started part-time but soon progressed to get made full-time less than 6 months later. I’ve been working at the foundation for just over a year and I still love the role just as much as when I started. I feel as though I’m part of something special here and I couldn’t be happier.
Sam Holt
Community Sports Coach
I started playing rugby 8 years ago at Blackburn. I’ve played most of my rugby at Blackburn apart from a very short stint at Preston when Phill Mills was the coach of the colts.
I started coaching at the age of 15, just helping out my younger brothers’ team. Then when I was 17, I started taking my coaching more seriously as I ruptured my ACL and wasn’t able to play. This has now resulted in me attaining a degree in Sports Coaching and Performance.
As well as working for the foundation I am currently the head coach of Blackburn Colts team who are looking to have a successful season!
