Northampton Saints today announced that Academy coach Grant Seely is leaving the club by mutual consent with immediate effect.
Seely has been on the Academy coaching staff for four years, a role he took up after retiring from a playing career at Franklin's Gardens that lasted 15 years and over 250 appearances.
Seely, who captained the Saints Sevens team, represented England at Under-21 and 'A' level, and helped coach the Wanderers to the Premier Rugby 'A' League title in 2009.
He says that he is taking plenty of good memories with him.
"I've made a massive number of lifelong friends, such as my original Under-19 coaches Geoff Wright and Alan Hughes, and the Saints will always have a special place in my heart.
"I've learned a great deal from my time as a player and especially in the last four years as a coach, and I would like to wish the team and club every success this coming season and in the years to come."
"Grant has been at Franklin's Gardens for a long time and on behalf of all the staff and supporters I would like to thank him for his work at the club," said Saints chief executive Allan Robson.
"However both Grant and the club felt with the restructuring of the Academy management that the time was appropriate for him to pursue other opportunities, and I would like to wish him all the best for the future."
The Saints also announced that Mark Hopley and Ross Stewart are joining the club's Academy staff. Hopley, who retired from playing this summer, becomes Academy coach while Stewart, who is a long-standing Community officer at Franklin's Gardens, takes up the role of Elite Player Development Group manager.
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