Andy Grundy

Andy Grundy (born 19 November) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, he played as a prop.

Rugby League Player Andy Grundy

Andy Grundy
Personal information
Full nameAndrew Thomas Grundy
Born (1977-11-19) 19 November 1977
England
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1999–2000 Leigh Centurions 25 4 0 0 16
2001–02 Gateshead Thunder 24 7 0 0 28
2002–03 Lancashire Lynx 21 5 0 0 20
2003–04 Rochdale Hornets 19 3 0 0 12
Total 89 19 0 0 76
Source: [1]

Rugby league playing career

Grundy, a one-time England Schoolboy International and Wigan Schoolboy Captain, started his professional career in the Wigan Warriors youth system. He was the first choice prop in the front-row for the all-conquering Alliance team, littered at the time with regular first team players. After impressing in a first team pre-season friendly for Wigan Warriors against Leigh Centurions, Grundy joined them on loan, before returning to Wigan Warriors the following season and signing a new contract, offered to him by the then coach John Monie. After the departure of coach Monie, Grundy went on to gain a first team squad number under new Wigan and Great Britain head coach Andy Goodway, before a change of coaching and management staff lead to a subsequent shake-up of playing staff, that lay witness to many fringe players releases.[2][3]

Grundy then went on to play for the Gateshead Thunder, Lancashire Lynx and the Rochdale Hornets in the Northern Ford Premiership.[3][4][5] In 2001 Grundy was selected for Wales, after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Gateshead Thunder with three games of the season remaining, for a short stint with the Warrington Wolves.[6]

Injury and retirement

Reoccurring problems from a serious ankle injury, sustained during Grundy's time at Wigan Warriors, which required two ankle reconstruction surgeries, along with other factors, led to Grundy's decision to prematurely retire from the game.

Alma mater

Grundy is a qualified lecturer and teacher, who graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class degree in Sport Coaching and winning the Gilbertson Excellence Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Grundy also graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a Masters Degree in Physical Education and School Sport and is a published academic researcher in the area of Sport Coaching, with a particular interest in the area of Philosophies.

Coaching career

Andy Grundy Alongside Paul Sculthorpe (MBE), at the 2018 England Colleges Player Assessment Day, Louborough University.

Grundy was named as Assistant Coach of England Colleges Rugby League Team in 2018, who played against a select French team and the winter international against the Australian Schoolboys, as part of their five-game tour of England.

Radio and host speaker

Andy Grundy Radio Commentating.
Andy Grundy Hosting Wigan Warriors (Riversiders) 2018-19 End of Season Awards.

Grundy is Rugby Football League (RFL) Media Accredited, often writing numerous articles, most notable being a regular page in the Saint Helens match day programme. Grundy is also a guest speaker and host, who often commentates on games, in particular the Championship and League One fixtures.

References

  1. Andy Grundy rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. 2000 Season wigan.rlfans.com
  3. The squad details Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine onwardhornetsonward.co.uk
  4. Northern Ford Premiership preview bbc.co.uk, 18 January 2001
  5. 1999 season reports Leigh Match Report Archive: 03/01/10 - 10/01/10, 8 January 2010
  6. Harris named in Wales squad BBC, 20 June 2001

Additional references

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