A former Spalding RU junior player is heading for the game’s heights after being signed by Premiership giants Leicester Tigers.
Will Wand joined the Elephants as a four-year-old and progressed through the minis and juniors age ranks.
The 22-year-old former Spalding Grammar School pupil and Brooksby Melton College student went on to join Cambridge before being snapped up by Coventry.
His latest move sees the 6ft 2in centre, who can also play on the wing, join his childhood favourite club.
Wand senior is no stranger to the Tigers’ Welford Road lair, having been involved with last season’s Premiership Cup finalists’ pathways and development teams.
Wand scored 14 tries in 22 appearances for Coventry last season and the player of the year was named in the Championship’s Team of the Season at outside-centre. His senior career began with Cambridge, where he played 20 times in National League One before switching to Coventry.
Wand told the Tigers website: “This is an incredible opportunity to join Leicester, my boyhood club.
“Growing up, my family always supported Leicester Tigers and we have been to watch many games at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
“I can’t wait to continue learning and working hard and I’m excited to be part of the group.”
Tigers general manager Richard Wilks added: “Will is a player well known to people at the club, having attended Brooksby Melton College.
“We tracked his progress in the Championship at Coventry last season, where he excelled.
“We are looking forward to welcoming one of our own into the club.”
Head coach Dan McKellar is also pleased to have Wand in the first-team squad, saying: “Will is a great addition to our group. He’s a guy who’s had to earn his opportunities and at 22, he’s already got good experience at Championship level under his belt.
“I’ve no doubt he will be frothing at the chance to come in and work hard and prove he belongs at this level.”
* Spalding will start their Counties One Midlands East (South) season on Saturday, September 7 with a trip to Leicester-based Vipers.
A week later comes a local derby at Bourne, with the Elephants’ first home match arranged for September 21 with the visit of Bugbrooke to Centenary Park.
The 22-match campaign concludes on April 5 when opening-day opponents Vipers arrive in South Lincolnshire for the reverse fixture.
Spalding First XV 2024/25
September
7 Vipers A
14 Bourne A
21 Bugbrooke H
28 Biggleswade A
October
12 Newbold on Avon H
19 Stewarts & Lloyds A
26 Old Laurentians H
November
9 Peterborough Lions A
16 Towcestrians H
30 Stamford A
December
7 Stockwood Pk H
14 Bourne H
21 Bugbrooke A
January
4 Biggleswade H
11 Newbold on Avon A
18 Stewarts & Lloyds H
February
1 Old Laurentians A
15 Peterborough Lions H
March
1 Towcestrians A
8 Stamford H
22 Stockwood Pk A
April
5 Vipers H
Spalding Second XV, meanwhile, will be in Counties Three Midlands East (Central) and kick off at home to Southwell Seconds on September 7.
Spalding Seconds
September
7 Southwell II H
14 Leesbrook H
21 Long Eaton II A
28 Mellish II H
October
12 Castle Donington A
19 Nottinghamians H
26 Bingham A
November
9 Melbourne II H
16 Nottingham Moderns A
30 Ilkeston II H
December
7 West Bridgford A
14 Leesbrook A
21 Long Eaton II H
January
4 Mellish II A
11 Castle Donington H
18 Nottinghamians A
February
1 Bingham H
15 Melbourne II A
March
1 Nottingham Moderns II H
8 Ilkeston II A
22 West Bridgford II H
April
5 Southwell II A
