Newcastle Falcons centre Dominic Waldouck has signed a new contract with the club on a player/coach basis.
The 31-year-old Londoner will spend a fourth season at Kingston Park Stadium, resuming full-time duties after two years of combining rugby with his studies at Oxford University.
As well as maintaining his spot in the playing ranks Waldouck’s new deal sees a formalisation of his coaching role at the club, having helped oversee their back-line defence during the tail end of last season.
Newcastle Falcons centre @domwaldouck has signed a new contract with the club on a player/coach basis as preparations for the 2019/20 @Champrugby season continue to gather pace https://t.co/ef0MRfkLPi pic.twitter.com/oJseEeJiM5
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) July 16, 2019
Waldouck is a former Premiership and European champion from his time at Wasps, going on to play for Northampton Saints, London Irish and Ohio Aviators prior to joining the Falcons in the summer of 2016.
Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Dom is a great influence who brings a lot of experience to the table, and it’s useful for us to retain that level of knowhow during what is an important season for the club.”
Waldouck said: “First of all I was desperate to get back and play for the club after the disappointment of last season, and I’m really happy that Dean has given me the opportunity to retain my place in the playing squad.”
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On his coaching role, he added: “I really enjoyed getting a taste of it last season in terms of helping John Wells with the defence, and it’s a great opportunity.
“It’s mainly the backs defence which I’m working on, and as a centre that’s my bread and butter. I’ve always enjoyed thinking about the game and the challenge of dealing with the threat posed by the opposition attack, and it’s a great opportunity to try and get those messages across from a coaching perspective.”