CORNISH All Blacks Joint Head Coach, Chris Brown is to leave the club at the end of the current season, due to family commitments.

Chris, who coaches Launceston Rugby Club's first team with Jon Hill, has been at the club for five successful seasons.

He has decided that this will be his last to enable him to spend more time with his family.

LRFC Chairman Tim Fox said: "I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the club, to thank him publicly for his massive contribution to the club, both on and off the field, in what has turned out to be the most successful period in the club's history.

"Chris is certainly a 100 per cent man and he feels that with more and more rugby demands on his time, coupled with his day job as a lecturer, he is not able to spend enough time with his family such is the time and effort required to be a National League Coach. Unfortunately he has therefore taken the decision to stand down and allow the club to plan for the future without him."

Tim added: "Chris, along with fellow coach Jon Hill, have lifted us to our highest ever league positions since their arrival, including the epic promotion to National Division One where we played alongside the likes of Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs, Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates. As a coach, he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we are in the strong position we find ourselves in today, and he leaves the club with our complete blessing.

"Chris has proved to be a huge hit with the players, fans and committee since his arrival in 2004 and has always shown immense dedication, passion and motivation to all of the tasks he has been involved in. This will certainly not be the last we see of Chris as he will continue to support the club in any which way he can and he will always be welcome at Polson Bridge."

The current club captain Keith Brooking has now been appointed forwards coach until the end of the season with a view to taking on the role on a longer term basis.

Keith has been part of Jon and Chris's coaching plans for some time and the remainder of the season gives him a great opportunity to ensure that there is a seamless transition through to next season.

Tim said: "Continuity is very important and Keith has also been instrumental in our rise over the past few seasons and is the ideal man for the job. He has always played with huge passion, heart and commitment and has certainly led by example during his time as a player and a captain. We will be looking for him to do exactly those things as a coach and fully support him in his new role."