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Coaching is great says rugby-mad Ken
Ken Davies is charged with the responsibility of looking after the organisation of junior rugby in Pembrokeshire as the Rugby Development Officer for the area and he also doubles up as part-time coach of the Pembrokeshire College team which plays all over South Wales and even further afield.
Not content with that little lot, Ken is also involved with Narberth RFC as Director of Development and his as well as his daily work from his office in the college it means that he is busy most evenings and on Saturday.
But it is good to report that Ken is infectiously as keen now as he was when he was an outside half with Narberth as a youngster, and Ken would readily admit that he is very lucky to have such a supportive wife as Nia, who understands how involved he is and provides him with all the support he needs, apart from the odd grumble or two!
College catering
The college team caters for under 19s and they play as far afield as Bridgend, Neath, Cardiff, Somerset and Gloucester with talented players like Jonathan Howard, Gareth Flynn, Rhys Davies and Owain Edwards, all of whom enjoyed international experience as they represented the Welsh Colleges against Ireland and did really well. The lads have two training sessions per week at Haverfordwest Rugby Club and two conditioning sessions in the college gym where they are given a programme of development to follow. Then there are midweek matches and so far this season Ken is delighted that they have won all their matches with some positive rugby.
Talented youngsters
The other half of Ken’s work is involved under the leadership of Kim Norkett which caters, under the auspices of the Welsh Rugby Union, for rugby players from eight to eighteen years old. Ken is heavily involved with the under 11s and under 13s where there are cracking young talents like Sion Colella (Romeo’s son), George Williams (offspring of Neyland’s Mathew) and Jonathan Clout (Jeff’s son), plus Dita Thomas, who is the best place kicker that Ken has seen in the last 15 years.
Ken was thrilled when they recently beat their counterparts from Carmarthenshire, who had former Welsh international Roy Bergiers in charge, scoring over 50 points in the process.
Top tour
This group have a tour to Spain and France planned for next year where they will play two matches in Barcelona and two in Pergignon, where they will also have the chance to watch New Zealand outside half Dan Carter play for the home club.
The clubs also have under 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 teams and the highlight of their campaign is the Australian-style finals where the best of local rugby is on display. Ken organises the programmes, does the draw and a myriad other things that make the day go smoothly. He has had excellent support from host clubs like Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, Crymych and Narberth, and is already looking forward to this season’s big day in Aberystwyth.
Brilliant coaches
Ken is full of praise for the coaches that work with the county teams and within their own clubs and every age group plays at least seven representative matches as they take on Eat and West Carmarthenshire (home and away), Bridgend, Afan Nedd and Cardiff, who are traditionally the biggest challenge.
Coaching is held weekly for all the sections, starting with Under 18s on Monday in Haverfordwest, with the under 11s at the same venue on Tuesday, plus under 16s (Crymych on Monday) and the others all on Friday, with Under 12s at Fishguard, under 13s at Haverfordwest and under 14s at Milford Haven. He tries to attend them all and on Friday it means starting at 5.30pm and getting home at 9pm!
Back to his roots
Ken played his rugby at Narberth as a full back or outside half (despite those little legs!) and after spells as coach at Tenby United and Haverfordwest he is now back with the Otters and enjoying the challenge of developing the club’s playing strength from under seven level right through to the second XV, where he is ably assisted by old chum Larry Spillane, with whom he worked well at Haverfordwest) Sundays are spent relaxing at home with Nia but Ken readily admits that he is very lucky since he loves rugby and he is delighted to e involved so heavily in it. Another admission is the fact that he much prefers coaching to the admin side but understands that the increase in paper work is inevitable. Chat to Ken for a short while and his genuine love of the game shines through. He has an affinity for working with youngsters and passing on his ideas without fuss – and long may he continue to be involved in junior rugby in Pembrokeshire because he is a real asset to the game!
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