Blackheath Rugby is delighted to announce that Tom Baldwin has been named the new Club Captain, following Ed Taylor’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Before joining Blackheath in 2015, Tom was at Bath Rugby Academy for two seasons — he impressed whilst on loan at Rosslyn Park, and was signed with Wasps for two years before running out in Club colours on 5 September 2015 against Blaydon. At County level he has put on shirts for both Dorset & Wilts (whilst belonging to his first club, Chippenham RFC) and Kent, and he has also played for England Counties.
Tom captained the team when Ed was injured last season, and is a firm favourite at the Club, shown by the end of season awards he was given recently (Players’ Player, Coaches’ Player and Supporters’ Player of 2023/24).
James Shanahan, Director of Rugby, says it was an easy decision to make. “With Ed stepping down, he was the obvious choice. Balders is a great leader and has always led on the field. He stepped in when Ed was injured and did a great job. He’s got the respect of the club and I know he’s looking forward to next season as the club’s next captain!”.
Russell Ticehurst, Managing Director, echoes Shanners’ sentiments, and says “Balders is a leader, it’s a simple as that! What we hope is that he continues to lead by example and that others follow. Tom is a very consistent performer week in week out and gains huge respect from players, coaches and supporters as a result. He’s not a man of many words which means that when he speaks others stop and listen. We hope that ‘Balders’ follows in Ed’s footsteps off the field too. As Club Captain there is always an expectation and need for him to be present around the club and to engage and support all the other Club players, sponsors and supporters, which we know he will. Let’s hope we have a great 24/25 season with Tom as Captain — congratulations Tom!”
Final words go to Tom himself, who is deeply honoured to be given the Captaincy “I’m really excited to captain such a good group of boys, and a club with so much history. It feels like there’s a lot of positive change at the club currently both on and off the pitch, and I hope to carry on the good work of the captains before me.”
Congratulations, Tom — we look forward to seeing you lead the team out as Club Captain!
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