1. Jon, welcome to Hastings & Bexhill RFC. What attracted you to the club and the role of Senior Men’s Head Coach?
Hastings RFC is steeped in history and have always not only been ambitious on the field but a real community club off of it. Having known people who have been and are still involved with the club I have only ever heard good things. When you then look at what the club is trying to achieve on and off the field when the opportunity arose to be part of the club it was not a difficult choice to take that chance. The squad have achieved huge success over the last two seasons with the 2XV achieving back to back promotions in the Sussex Leagues and the 1XV coming 3rd two years running in Kent Counties 3 and winning both a Sussex Cup and a National Cup. Both Bruce and Ben before me have done a superb job and I have big shoes to fill but ones I am very much looking forward to doing. The squad is hungry for more success and have a real thirst to learn and develop both as individuals and as a squad. As a coach you can not ask for more from a group and our start has been superb and one thing I can promise everyone at the club is its going to be one hell of a season again for both teams and we look forward to taking the journey with all of you.

2. Tell us a little about your rugby background — both as a player and as a coach.
I have played rugby for many years In the Sussex Leagues and what were the London Leagues as well as representing Sussex. Predominantly I specialise at tighthead prop but have played throughout the pack and have also played at 10. While I love the high impact style of being a prop I love the ball in hand and being able to play and link up keeping defences guessing. I also love kicking, whether that’s out of hand in free play, a penalty or off the tee. Many an hour spent practicing has led to some eyebrow raises in game. As a player I try to lead by example but take great pride in understanding the detail what the side requires tactically across the board and helping others understand this. I think my history across multiple sports playing from grass roots to semi-pro has helped me with this and given me good experience and a chance to cross over many skills. Injury brought and end to me playing consistently but I have always loved coaching and teaching and have been a coach now for twenty nine years. I have a passion for the detail of the game and trying to break things down and pitting my wits against other coaches. My biggest passion though is my players!! Whether that is coaching a squad or coaching 121 with my company PackMindset Coaching & Mentoring. Whatever the age, whether the player is 4 or 40 helping that player unlock their potential and reaching targets and goals way above what they think they can achieve gives me more joy than all I achieved playing. I have held many roles within rugby such as director of youth rugby, head of women’s rugby, breakdown coach, forwards coach, skills coach, 7s coach and head coach rolls and have been blessed to win leagues and cups, 7s competitions but seeing that moment when something clicks for a player is the most special moment you can have as a coach.

3. How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
My coaching philosophy is very much culture first with putting the player first with family, health and work coming before anything!! Having a culture of honest open communication and trust in that as a group we will put the needs of each other as humans before any game or result is a must. Through good coaching and tactical preparation results and trophies can be achieved but the question for me is always can that be done sustainably and what does that look like. The answer to that is not money, it’s not facilities, these things help of course but it’s the knowing of one another, the respect, care and love for one another that’s brings true sustainability both on and off the pitch. But this is not just to be within one group though, this is something that is to be set for everyone in a club to be a part of, to share in all the successes but also the times of learning that we need. When times are tough this is approach I find is when you can get through anything but if we are looking specifically to the pitch results will be achieved and a style/brand of rugby played that everyone enjoys. Enjoyment is key for me. It has to be at the forefront. Wins and titles can be achieved and we will all celebrate but when taking your time to reflect did you enjoy it?? If the answer is anything other than yes then that needs to be remedied. If we are looking at the nuts and bolts of coaching then for me it’s a player first approach. I can come up with lots of plans, calls, styles of play etc. but if the squad doesn’t enjoy them, understand them and invest in them then it’s not going to have the desired effects across the board. I will always speak with the players and gauge understanding and ask their thoughts. I am always honest with them and say the thing we are doing could be very successful but if no one enjoys it they will not buy in so therefore it may not work as well but most importantly players will not enjoy it. Therefore we take another approach. Yes there are times where sometimes perseverance can change things but I find ultimately if your having open and honest communication from the start then consistent successes will be achieved. I am also a huge believer in making players as knowledgeable as possible about details and things they can do off the pitch as well as on it. Whether that’s work around S&C, understanding performance anxiety or learning more about sleep and nutrition it’s important we provide these chances to learn and grow in every aspect of the game and across all the relevant ages. What I would do with the senior men’s squads for example I would do with the under 14s but make it age grade relevant. For me if a player has a complete understanding if what’s required of a them then not only will it help their performance it will also help to at the end of their playing career and being able to finish with their bodies still in the best condition and their understanding of their bodies still being at a premium meaning their not finishing early or feeling ‘broken’ at the end of playing like a lot of my generation and before us. I love to pass all these experiences on to coaches also and help them grow as much as possible and the best part of that for me is helping coaches find their own coaching identity. It’s such an amazing process to be a part of and a true honour also. We never stop learning and there is knowledge and experiences to be shared at all levels!! I love the conversations around coaching and learning different peoples approaches and experiences at all levels and would encourage anyone to come and say hello and grab me for a chat if they see me around the club. Player or coach I will always make time.

4. What kind of rugby do you want the senior men’s squad to be known for this season?
When people watch us I want them to see the results of all the hard work the fellas put in. We will be the fittest team on the pitch and will earn the right to attack through a fast, physical, relentless defence and when we do get that ball we will be a free flowing ball in hand team. There will be structure, there will be purpose and but the directive is always once were in the open be confident, be positive, be creative and utilise all the skills you posses and the big part on that last one for me is regardless of position. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a forward or a back, if you have a skill that can help the team we will use it. It will be an exciting brand of rugby that our juniors will look at and will hopefully be inspired to keep training themselves, have their own favourite players they want to emulate and ultimately inspire them to work toward becoming a senior player at the club. What I can say also is that with the superb attitude and character our players hold it will be done in the right way, within all the values of rugby and in a way everyone can be proud of. The squad we have has so much talent and endless potential and everyone will see the results of the work to hit that potential and more!!

5. What are the main standards you expect from players, both on and off the pitch?
For me this is simple. Give 100% of what you have at all times. This has nothing to do with ability, skill, fitness or those go to things you may expect. This has to do with you yourself and giving your all at that time. We are all amateurs who have family, friends, jobs and daily life to deal with so of course our ability, skill etc. is going to vary from one session to the next but what that doesn’t do is effect our standards for ourselves and our squads to be present, to focus and to give your all. What it does absolutely require though is that open communication again. Speak with your coaches, let them know what is going on and why the session may be a bit of a struggle at times and then you will always get the best possible outcomes. Whether on or off the pitch it is remembering we are an example to everyone at the club and also our community and we need to set that example the best we can at all times. It is remembering the values that are set and sharing those with our communities so that when people see we are from Hastings & Bexhill RFC that means they already know all the positives of what that is. If everyone is giving 100% of what you have at any given time you will achieve wonderful things both on and off the pitch.

6. How important is competition for places and bringing players through from within the club?
Absolutely vital. Competition for places drives standards, drives enthusiasm and makes for the most productive training sessions. It drives the environment to make each other better and achieve success. This also then creates experiences that players and coaches can share across the club. Having players coming through our minis and junior section is vital. It is the lifeblood of our club and is certainly a driver of success. We are blessed to have a thriving mini and junior section that have two teams in our men’s and women’s senior teams to look toward. Forming and building these relationships are an equally vital part of this and making sure we are available to not to just interact but be present in the growth of not just the sections but the players within it. Some of the members of our senior squads are already coaching within the mini and juniors but its important they are able to look to and know the rest of the players within the senior squads. It’s one thing to be able to look up to them but knowing the players by name and being to have conversations with them is so important and can only bring us all closer together as one club. Look to the squads now and the evidence of this is present with a number of players having already progressed through the club pathway. Its vital we not only keep this going but be a part in helping it grow and flourish.

7. How important is the pathway from Minis to Juniors and into senior rugby at Hastings & Bexhill?
As mentioned above this is absolutely vital. Not only for the reasons mentioned in helping the club with regard to existing players in all sections but also being a beacon to our community of a place where people of all ages can come to enjoy a safe, fun, welcoming and encouraging environment and be part of it all. Whether that’s volunteering, just enjoying watching on a game day, coaching or playing our great game we all love, a great culture and environment is somewhere people want to be part of and for parents somewhere they definitely want their children to be.

8. What are your ambitions for the 2026/27 season?
For the 1XV to win the league and retain the cup and to establish the 2XV in Sussex Counties 3 and go deep into the cup and look to win one of their own. We have a very talented and dedicated group who’s potential is limitless and every week they are getting better and better. From our first players meeting the aspirations and targets have been very clear as a group and everyone is dialled in and focused on the task at hand and this season I am more than confident that we will achieve all our targets and provide many exciting memorable moments along the way. Bringing the next set of colts through this season again is something I am looking forward to. Quinn, Harry and the coaching team are doing a superb job in not only coaching but nurturing and managing those expectations around playing senior rugby once they are old enough. We are blessed to have qualified S&C coaches at the club as well as a superb medical team in Mel and Holly so making sure they are physically ready to play senior rugby is a must and this is something again that will only grow flourish with the experience we have available to guide them.

9. What does a successful season look like to you beyond simply league position?
A successful season for me is achieving all our set targets on the field but also continuing grow and develop from the great foundations already in place as a club on all fronts. Seeing our players and coaches have opportunities to continue growth and share ideas and experiences for me is a huge win and seeing them all go through those and develop is a massive success.

10. What would you say to anyone locally who hasn't watched a senior men’s game at H&B before?
My advice, look to the website for all our fixtures and get down and support as soon as you can!! Not only will see some of the most exciting rugby across two counties you will find a warm welcome, great beverages and even better food. Myself, the players and the club cannot wait to offer you that warm welcome and make you, your friends and family part of our amazing club!!

11. Away from rugby, what should people know about Jon Tutty?
I am a family man and look forward to everyone meeting Emma and Noah. I am from a big family with a proud Irish and Lancs background with so many sports at the heart of it all. I love watching all sports and have played many at various levels but my loves have been rugby, football, basketball and GAA football. I run my own coaching company and created the mental health support group Balls For Brains which uses rugby as a vehicle to go into communities and raise awareness around mental health. Alongside coaching I also work as a Senior Housing Options Officer working with people who are either threatened with or who are homeless. I care deeply about people and trying to give as much as I can to my communities, their communities and so on to help everyone thrive. I have two words I have lived my life by since the age of 16 and they interweave throughout all aspects of my life, including my coaching. They are UBUNTU & DUVATA. UBUNTU is a Xhosa & Zulu word that translates to “I am because we are”. This is more than just a word though, this is a way of life and that is if I learn, develop and grow myself I then have a moral responsibility to go and give that back to my community and help them to learn, grow, develop and thrive in all those aspects of life. DUAVATA is Fijian for Unity. I have been blessed to coach many Fijian players and be part or their communities and again DUAVATA is more than a word it is a doing. For me you cannot achieve UBUNTU without DUAVATA and you cannot achieve DUAVATA without UBUNTU. This has always guided me and always is a good foundation for me to come back to whenever I need to and something I love to share with people.

12. Finally, what message would you like to give the players, members and supporters ahead of the new season?
Firstly thank you for bringing me into our club, thank you for being so welcoming and for those I have not had the chance to meet yet I look forward to doing so. Please come and say hi if you see me, those who have met me and the lads I’m sure will tell you I love a chat!! I cannot wait to take this journey together and I am already certain there are going to be some very special things we achieve on and off the field together.
This season is only the start of what is going to be an exciting journey and I cannot wait to continue the great work we have already started. The phrase it takes a village is a great one and very much translates for us in that it takes a club!! It takes a club to grow, to flourish, to meet all our targets, to smash through the ceiling of those targets and continue to show why Hastings & Bexhill RFC is the place to come and be part of not just for rugby but for so much more.

To my players directly its been an absolute pleasure to become your coach, you have been superb in everything we have done so far but we’re just getting started. Keep up the hard work, keep pushing to learn more, never stop asking questions and lets go take it to two counties this season!!