PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 26th May 2018 – Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce that the club's entire coaching and support staff have all signed contract extensions to remain in their respective positions for the 2018-2019 season.
Matthew Jones (backs coach), Andrew Quick (defence coach), Rhys Dyer (head of performance), Gareth Rusby-Davies (team manager), Angus Robertson (medical director), Alena Dostalova (lead physiotherapist) and Lucy Phillips (masseuse), have all been central to Pooler’s recent successes and will continue to play a key role in the club’s quest to end a seven-year absence from the Principality Premiership over the next twelve months.
This exceptionally positive development follows the announcement that head coach, Leighton Jones, will remain in the Pooler hot seat until 2022 - after a hugely impressive two seasons that has seen the club win 43 out of 44 league matches en-route to claiming two successive WRU National Championship titles.
On the importance of retaining his backroom team, Jones said: “So much of what the club has achieved during its extended stay in the Championship is attributable to the countless hours of hard work and dedication delivered by our coaching and support staff.
“Not only has it been vital to retain the nucleus of our squad to ensure we have stability on the field, it was of equal importance that we kept our team of staff together as they have been so key to driving and maintaining the standards we expect from everybody who represents the club.
“Many of our staff have been with the club for several years and by having established such a close bond, this has enabled us to focus on periodically bettering ourselves and refining our skillset, rather than constantly having to fight the fires that come with replenishing personnel.
“We have an excellent mix of individuals who will continue to help shape the future of our club for the better and I am delighted that they will be alongside me as we enter such a crucial phase in our history.”
Jones’ enthusiasm for Pooler’s future is wholly shared by Andrew Quick, who will begin his third campaign as the club’s defence coach when the first whistle sounds on the 2018-2019 season in September.
On continuing his proud association with the club, the defensive supremo said: “The last year has been a great experience for us as a coaching group and the positivity within our environment makes it a pleasure to be involved.
“Central to our success has been Leighton’s drive to promote from within wherever possible and it has been a real plus to have people like Rhys and Gareth integrate so well into our set up, as they were already accustomed to the values and standards that we set as a collective from their playing days here.
"We must and will continue to challenge ourselves as a coaching staff and we are all very aware of how important next season will be for everybody connected to the club.
“With that in mind, I believe we have the individuals, the culture and the work ethic to get the job done and to ensure that we achieve a return to the Principality Premiership for the club’s fantastic set of supporters."
