Pontypool RFC has moved to bolster the management team with the appointment of Gareth Betts.
Betts comes in as the new strength and conditioning coach to replace the outgoing Rhys Dyer, who has had to leave his role due to injury problems.
Head coach Leighton Jones admitted the loss of Dyer is a huge blow to the club but believes Betts has all the attributes to help push the club forward.
“Rhys has had a bad injury with his Achilles, he’s been unable to commit to his duties,” explained Jones.
“He’s been here a long time, he’s a great bloke, he’s worked really well within the management group.
“He’s a player favourite and it’s tough and unfortunate that the injury has come and he’s not able to fulfil his role.
“I’ve worked with Rhys for a number of years now and he’s always been a really supportive and knowledgeable guy and for myself it was quite tough to make the decision because we’ve got a lot of time and respect for each other and I can’t thank him enough for the support he’s given me.
“We need another part of the management group, I’ve come up through school with Gareth, played for Pontypool with Gareth and he’s going to be another important factor here.
“I trust him 100 per cent, we’ve had a career together so we know how each other work.
“He’s worked with Shaun [Connor] before so he’s slotted straight in and he’s really enjoying it.
“Another big thing is that he is a local boy. He’s Pontypool born and bred and that’s another key factor for us.
“We are trying to create a local focus because it means more to those people.”
Gareth, who played 49 times for Pooler, is the latest addition to the coaching staff this season alongside backs coach Shaun Connor and head of rugby operations Lewis Roberts.
His existing relationships with the duo as well as with Jones and defence coach Andrew Quicks means he has settled in quickly.
“I played with Shaun at Ebbw Vale RFC so I know him quite well and I know Andrew too,” said Betts.
“I have coached Lewis while Leighton and I have grown up together through school.
“They are all very good coaches, ask anyone on the circuit from a coaching or playing perspective and they are first and foremost really good people but really good coaches as well.”
A big focus this season has been to recruit local and Betts admits it would be a dream to help Pontypool earn promotion to the Indigo Premiership.
“That’s the big dream, because I live in Pontypool it would mean a lot,” he added.
“What it does for the town is absolutely unbelievable.
“It’s a big club and always has been but to actually give local people the chance to get back in the Premiership is quite exciting and I hope it comes to fruition because that’s where they deserve to be.”
