In June we reported the signing of Lovejoy Chawatama to Harlequins. This was a story of celebration, after the sadness of his former club London Irish going into administration. We are all thrilled that he will be joining such a great team!

Lovejoy is known by many at the club now as a forwards coach, but not everyone will know the story behind his association. Lovejoy is an example of where rugby values can take you. He has worked hard to become the respected professional he is now and continues to give back to the club, for which we are grateful. He is a force to be reckoned with on and off the pitch, but always a true gentleman.

So, when we wanted to produce this article, we spoke to Lovejoy’s first coach, Dave Caddy (previously BRFC youth coach and Dir of Rugby). He had these treasured memories:

‘I’ve known Lovejoy since he turned up on the Sunday morning after Jake & Iestyn’s leap year 12th Birthday in Late Feb 2008. We had an away fixture for the U16 B’s against Sutton & Epsom and as I arrived up at the club, Des Walsh came over to say a new lad had turned up who was our age group. He was extremely polite – he called me Sir, so I told him to call me David. He also said he played centre which seemed feasible until watching him play it was obvious, given he liked being involved in the physical aspect of the game, that he was going to be in the forwards ( back row ).

So began a 3-4 year stint of ferrying LJ home from training, picking him up for Pilates at Back In Shape and watching him develop into a very good rugby player and a lovely and very loyal young man. At around U17/U18 (Academy age), he clashed heads with Liam Markey as both went to tackle a Bromley player in an U18 League match – both had stitches – Liam turned up the following week with a scrum hat – LJ told me his mum didn’t want him to play rugby any more as it was too dangerous – over a few weeks, getting him a scrum cap we persuaded his mum that he would fine.

He represented Kent U20 squad with a number of that Beckenham age group playing Back Row (6) , but with encouragement from Dan Leek (Beckenham Head Coach) and Taff Gwilliam (Kent U20) he gradually moved from 6 to hooker. When he got a place UWE under the mentoring of Neil Dipple & Christian Preece ( Barbados), he started playing at Prop for a Bridgewater & Albion team coached by Darren Crompton (Former Richmond & Bristol player) and has never looked back.

His age group at Beckenham ( they are 30-31 now) remain very close and , of course, he is part of the coaching team at Beckenham. In fact one of my last acts as DoR was to introduce him to Dan Brown, who persuaded him to join the Beckenham coaching team. He remains a good friend and always keeps in touch – I am very proud to have played a small part in his rugby journey.’

LoveJoy had this to say in response ‘Beckenham will always hold a special place in my heart, I am forever grateful for them welcoming me with open arms as a young 15yr old with dreams of playing professional rugby. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without the start Dave and his family gave me, picking me up taking me to training. Also a big thank you to all the coaches who coached me throughout all the age groups and into university.’

What a great inspiration to both our youth and coaches. Good luck with the new club Lovejoy!