A FORMER Bromyard and Ledbury rugby coach is making big ripples in the game Down Under.

Harry Orgee was a flanker during his schooldays at Hereford Cathedral School.

He also played cricket for Canon Frome and represented his county at rugby and cricket.

But it is Orgee’s rugby career that has taken him on to enjoy success in Singapore, before moving a little further away still from his home county to enjoy life in Queensland.

After coaching in the lower reaches of the North Midlands Leagues at Ross Road and the Clive Richards Sports Ground, following a grounding with Worcester Warriors, Orgee’s career took a sharp upward swing four years ago.

“Having left Hereford in August 2010, I accepted the role of head of the national rugby academy with the Singapore Rugby Union, a role which oversaw the development of all the country’s players from 13 to 21,” heHarry said.

“I then single-handedly redesigned the country’s development and academy programmes.

“I was also the head coach of the national under 16s and under 14s teams, leading the 16s in a win against Hong Kong for the first time in 10 years. I also ran a coach education programme.”

Orgee’s development work clearly caught the eye of many within the club rugby scene and he was then given the chance to move on.

“Following nearly two years at the SRU, I then moved on to become the director of rugby in at one of the top club sides in the region – Bucks Rugby,” he said.

“I guided the club to two national titles and one runner-up position, resulting in the club being considered one of the most successful sides in the country – in recent times.

“The role also saw me run the club’s development set-up and coach mentoring for both expatriates and locals.

“I was also the head coach of the Singapore and Hong Kong Barbarians sevens squad which competed in regional competitions.”

It was during this period when Orgee became reacquainted with a familiar face from his time in Herefordshire.

Ed Carne, who was trying to gain selection to Singapore, because his grandmother was born in the country, stayed with him during his attempt to get picked.

But then, after almost two years of making his mark, the chance for Orgee to move on came again.

“I moved to Brisbane at the start of 2014 after the final whistle of the Singapore Grand Final between Bucks and Wanderers,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we lost, so it wasn’t the send-off I was hoping for.

“In terms of the coaching, I am currently working with the Queensland Reds and have been appointed the under 18s Reds Coach to play in the national tournament in Sydney at the start of March.

“This is a pathway for players to either go on and gain professional contracts for the Reds, or go on and represent Australia in the IRB Sevens series.

“We will be competing against other Australian states to provide the Australian Rugby Union with sevens athletes.

“In addition to this, I am currently the attack and skills coach of the first grade side at the University of Queensland Rugby Club.

“The University Rugby Club again provides a pathway for elite athletes into the Queensland Reds. I am also the coach of the University of Queensland Sevens squad, travelling all over Australia to various Sevens tournaments.

“I am, effectively, coaching Australian players to beat the Poms,” he joked.

Rugby, however, is not his only focus Down Under.

“I have recently gained Australian Football League (Aussie Rules) and National Rugby League (Rugby League) coaching qualifications and have been asked to do some defensive consultancy with AFL Queensland,” he said.

“Also, I have just completed a graduate diploma in education.

“I currently live in Woolloongabba, literally a stone’s throw away from the famous Gabba Cricket Ground.

“Brisbane really is the sport capital of the world with rugby union, rugby league, state of origin, AFL, soccer and cricket on my doorstep all year round.

“When you Couple that with 30-degree heat 10 months a year, it’s an amazing place to be.”