News

New Coach at the Brewers: Hub man Hughes Steps Up for September….

Rhymney RFC are delighted to announce the appointment as Head Coach of Jonathan Hughes of Bedwas, a WRU School/Club Hub Officer and Level 3 Coach who turned 30 a few months back.

With current inspirational leader Sean Murphy having given long notice of his intention to move on with the revived Rhymney Youth XV from the autumn, a smooth search and appointment process saw Club and Coach arrive at this good-looking fit between them.

After a difficult few years, the Brewers have stabilised and regrown their roots under the workaholic Murphy, and a largely young local side with bags of spirit and no little skill and potential has resulted.

There is certainly some raw material - some now not so raw - for Jon Hughes to work with, and everyone concerned will wish him and his charges all the best for the new challenges ahead, as the new Division Three East B season approaches.

Jon, very much a local Bedwas boy, played his senior rugby as an outside back at UWIC, where he gained his degree, Rhiwbina, Machen and the Welsh Academicals, injury helping propel him into the coaching field which he much enjoys.

He has coached for nearly a decade, starting with the Caerphilly District Junior sides, the Rhymney Valley Dewar Shield Squads (lately Director of Rugby), Machen’s successful Youth team and then Second XV, and the Dragons’ district and regional Under 16s.

More recently he moved from his role as Sport Development Officer at Caerphilly CBC to be Hub Officer based at Bedwas High School, also becoming over the last three years Coach of a revived Bedwas Youth and then Bedwas 2^nd XV, and Assistant Coach to Bedwas’ Premiership Squad.

Jon said: ‘I am delighted to accept the role of Head Coach at Rhymney RFC. Having this opportunity has also enabled me to achieve two of my personal coaching goals of gaining my Level 3 qualification and becoming a Head Coach of a senior team by the age of 30.

I will be assisted in my role by Bleddyn Corns, who has worked with me at the Rhymney Valley Under 15s district squad and who ends a very successful playing career at Penallta RFC. I would also like to thank the current coach Sean Murphy for his great help with the transition process, and wish him all the best with Rhymney RFC’s youth team.

I see Rhymney RFC as a "sleeping giant", and hope to raise the profile of the club, seek promotion and strengthen the pathway between the senior and youth squads.

I have already been fortunate enough, in a short space of time, to have positive discussions with the committee and players and looking forward to seeing this continue. Pre-season training starts at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd July at the Park, and of course all new and existing players are most welcome.’

Rhymney RFC President, Phil Atkinson, said: ‘I am very pleased with the manner in which the officers of the Club have gone about their work, and produced a smooth succession after Sean’s fine work. He won’t be in any way lost to the Club he loves, while Jon also has that drive and ambition, and a good deal of experience despite his youth. He will be keen to make his mark, whilst I am sure the youngsters will respond to him in their push to learn and go onward and upward. Welcome, Jon!’ Akky.