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Senior Backs Coach - John Apsee
Former Wales B Centre & Bridgend Captain |
Senior Forwards Coach - David Williams
Former Athletic No 8 & Flanker |
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| Head Coach- Paul Yardley - Former Aberavon, Bridgend & Bridgend Athletic Player & Coach |
Team Manager Paul Hearne
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2ND XV COACH - TONY GRIFFITHS |
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SEASON 2008-2009
mon aug 25th
Just a few words on saturdays performance at Ynysybwl.
Very pleased to see a young athletic side containing a few new faces , compete very well against a far more experienced and larger bwl side.
Also the fact that 8 first team regulars were missing , showed what a spirited performance this was.
Momentum must be kept against Abergavenny on Saturday , taking us into our first league fixture with confidence high.
p.yardley
SEASON 2007-2008
Coaches Pre Season Views
Its getting to that time of year again, and how it comes around quickly, pre season training is just around the corner and as coaches we are looking forward to meeting up with the boys and putting them through their paces in preparation for what is likely to be another testing season for the club. Last years exploits are now a distant memory and will count for nothing once we reach September.
As usual, while we wait for summer to arrive, we find ourselves in “silly season time” a phrase we as coaches and management use in reference to the “vultures and magpies” currently hovering over our young and talented “chicks” looking for easy pickings to carry off to their nests for “further development”.
As coaches, we take great satisfaction in seeing players develop and realise their potential, and as a club we take pride in seeing “ Ath” boys doing well at higher levels of the Welsh game, non more so than seeing Byrnie gain his Welsh cap. However it must be balanced with the club’s own expectations to be a competitive force at 1st Division level of the Welsh leagues on a regular basis. To achieve this, we need players committed to the cause, who can gain invaluable experience on the pitch, providing them with the necessary grounding for the future.
The coming season will be a huge challenge, to maintain our position at the top of the Division 1West tree, but as coaches and management it is a challenge we are all up for.
Season 2006-2007
FINAL 2 INCHES - WED MARCH 21ST
Six nations over , back to domestic rugby. For the Ath senior first team
squad, thats approxamatly 240 minutes of rugby, 160 on the road and 80 at
home.
physically and tactically as a coaching team theres not a lot left to do
this season , other than tweak a little here and there.
But mentally we are probably playing the three toughest games of the season.
With a top three finish closley in our sights and a say on where the div 1
west title goes, our mindset has to be as if we were playing our first three
games of the season.
Momentum ,urgency and the top two inches must come to the fore to maintain
our style of rugby which has served us so well this campaign.
Im sure as a squad , we can achieve this. three games, three wins.
Thats our target for the final hurdle.
Whoppa, Dai ,Chuck.
Coaches following Llangennech 34-7 win-Feb 3
Uncharterd territory , i think is something that we should all agree , we
find ourselves approaching.
5 games left in the season and we play the next to put bridgend athletic at
the top of div 1 west.
huge credit must go to the effort and enthusiasm of a squad of players and
coaches that personally has been a huge buzz to coach and be involved with.
watching the 22 players involved against llangenech , without seversl first
team regulars, systematically dismantle a usefull llangenech side was a
pleasure to watch.
Rob cole is playing rugby rarely seen at premiership level at the moment and
evergreen stuart morris is still able to controll a game with astute
prescision.
but i think the real bonus at the moment is the attitude , skill and
maturity of the young athletic players , who when whoppa, dai and myself
were plying our trade , were sitting in front of a tv watching the magic
roundabout and playing with their rattles.
these are truly a tallented bunch of kids , whos love of rugby and the
athletic is a real pat on the back to the dedicated (unheralded ) junior
coaches of the club who have moulded theses guys.
Truly this club sets standards , that without sounding to self oppiniated ,
others should follow.
Well done to everyone , still a lot of work to do this season, but
on behalf of a happy coaching team.
yuchi da
Paul Yardley – Dec 11th following Narbeth result
Terrific result for us Sat, I think now we are a match for any one at home.
Vitally important we keep the momentum going for cup match at Fleur on Sat.
I think a good cup run helps maintain a positive attitude in the squad and keeps everyone on their toes, and anyway, I’ve lost in 2 Cup Finals and they say 3rd time lucky!!!
cheers
Paul
Coaches Comments – Nov 2nd
Now that we have hit the Autunm Internationals, which means a break in our season, it is a good time for us as coaches to reflect on our progress to date. Yes, the word progress is used wisely because in our eyes we believe the squad have made considerable progress in the first 2 months of the season. Irrespective of where we are in the table, and yes we are a healthy joint 3rd, a position everyone at the club would have settled for at the beginning of the season, it is the progress in the performance of the squad, we as coaches, are pleased with.
We are in a hugely competitive league, where there are no ‘ gimmies’, every point has to be fought for. The players have worked hard in training adapting to some different training methods introduced this season, working on more game related issues, such as the breakdown area. A crucial area for a team like ourselves who need quick ball to expand our game plan.
Highlight of the season to date was the excellent victory at Narberth, where we played some of our best rugby for quite some time. Slightly disappointing from our view is that we have not been able to repeat that kind of performance since. However the team has matured in gaining narrow wins when not playing to their best. We are unbeaten at home, our aim is to make Newbridge Fields, a fortress, a difficult place to come and get a win. To win away from home is a huge bonus. We are fully aware that there are many difficult challenges ahead, and everyone on the coaching staff is keeping their feet firmly on the ground, as are the players. We will take one game at a time. Whitland away next. December promises to be a big month for us, especially with the visit of Carmarthern Quins to Newbridge Fields
Coaches remarks following Loughor game
Satisfied with Saturdays result , thought our boys played the right game by
playing rugby in their 40. let them back into game on several occasions
especially dissapointing , as it was usually after we scored. awsome to be
top of table after 1 months rugby, testament to the squads comittment to the
cause, 5 months rugby left "bring on the rain" we, re not as bad as people
think in the wetter conditions . we will learn and develop into a better
squad, and more importantly a more experienced squad.
uchi da
Comments Sept 18th following 23-21 win against Waunarlwydd
An encounter that should spell out to everyone that there are no easy games at this level. We as coaches, already well aware, despite an encouraging start to our campaign, that each game will provide a different challenge to our young squad. Despite being well below the performance level of the previous week, and a great deal of credit must be given to the opposition, the players showed a great spirit to dig deep and come through at the end, when all seemed lost. The win came at a cost to us with serious injuries to hooker Simon Mustoe and flanker Chris Whitcombe, both likely to be missing for a number of weeks. Will need to be on our A game if we are to keep this run going on Saturday.
Coaches Comments following 31-10 Win against Narbeth
A very encouraging start to our campaign. Good win at home over Dunvant and an excellent away win at Narbeth. It's important that this start is further built on this Saturday. This followed an excellent pre-season. There appears to be more strength in depth within the squad this year, and this is producing competition for places within the starting line up. Early indications suggest the youngsters in the squad are rapidly adjusting to First Division Rugby.We will keep our feet firmly on the ground as each game brings it's own challenges, and we as coaches will take one game at a time.
Think the attitude of the young players in our squad to disregard any reputations of opposition players or teams, brings huge enthusiasm in training and match play.
A massive work ethos in training has also helped to bring a cutting edge to our game. And we think the way forward is to keep our feet firmly on the ground whilst maintaining a positive and confident atmosphere.There exists a very strong competition for places throughout the squad.
It’s been a fantastic start to the campaign for us, and we know there are going to be bumpier rides for us ahead.
But as a squad and coaching team, we have got to face up to the challenges of a long hard season, where all the squad will be tested to the limit.
So far so good.
