Back
Manager
Playing & Coaching Background
Ollie’s rugby journey has long been intertwined with Deal & Betteshanger. Coming through the club’s age‑group system, he developed into a talented and intelligent back known for his strong game management, creativity with ball in hand, and excellent reading of defensive patterns.
His playing career also saw him represent Kent at age‑group levels, where he and incoming Head Coach Danny Herriott first played together—forming a rugby relationship that has now evolved into a coaching partnership. This shared experience and alignment in philosophy has been highlighted by both coaches as a major asset heading into the new season.
Coaching Role at Deal & Betteshanger
As the club embarks on an exciting new chapter, Ollie steps into the senior coaching team with responsibility for:
Backs attack strategy
Defensive systems and organisation
On‑field leadership as a player/coach
Unit skills development and game awareness
His approach focuses on clarity, tempo, and decision‑making—ensuring the backline plays with both structure and freedom. Ollie’s hands-on coaching style, combined with his on-field perspective as an active player, offers the squad a unique blend of insight and practicality.
Partnership with Danny Herriott
Ollie and Danny share a long-standing understanding of each other’s rugby values, having played together at both Deal & Betteshanger and for Kent representative sides. Their shared history, alignment in game plan, and complementary coaching strengths form the foundation of what promises to be a cohesive and exciting coaching team.
This partnership is expected to bring:
A unified vision for attacking shape and defensive work
Strong leadership and structure across all training phases
A positive culture centred on player development, effort, and ambition
Ollie Best
Biography
Ollie is an experienced and dynamic rugby player and coach whose vision, technical understanding, and leadership make him a highly valued addition to the Deal & Betteshanger senior coaching setup. A product of the club’s own pathway, Ollie will take on a player/coach role, specialising in backs attack and defensive structure.Playing & Coaching Background
Ollie’s rugby journey has long been intertwined with Deal & Betteshanger. Coming through the club’s age‑group system, he developed into a talented and intelligent back known for his strong game management, creativity with ball in hand, and excellent reading of defensive patterns.
His playing career also saw him represent Kent at age‑group levels, where he and incoming Head Coach Danny Herriott first played together—forming a rugby relationship that has now evolved into a coaching partnership. This shared experience and alignment in philosophy has been highlighted by both coaches as a major asset heading into the new season.
Coaching Role at Deal & Betteshanger
As the club embarks on an exciting new chapter, Ollie steps into the senior coaching team with responsibility for:
Backs attack strategy
Defensive systems and organisation
On‑field leadership as a player/coach
Unit skills development and game awareness
His approach focuses on clarity, tempo, and decision‑making—ensuring the backline plays with both structure and freedom. Ollie’s hands-on coaching style, combined with his on-field perspective as an active player, offers the squad a unique blend of insight and practicality.
Partnership with Danny Herriott
Ollie and Danny share a long-standing understanding of each other’s rugby values, having played together at both Deal & Betteshanger and for Kent representative sides. Their shared history, alignment in game plan, and complementary coaching strengths form the foundation of what promises to be a cohesive and exciting coaching team.
This partnership is expected to bring:
A unified vision for attacking shape and defensive work
Strong leadership and structure across all training phases
A positive culture centred on player development, effort, and ambition
Other Coaches
Full squad
Team Sponsors
