RGC unveil new head coach Silva
RHYS Eckley has been selected to represent Wales at this year’s Commonwealth Judo Championship.
Eckley, 16, from Menai Bridge, will fight in the under 73kg category and will face competitors from all over the world in Walsall in September.
Following the announcement, Eckley’s coach of 11 years, Steve Clarke, described his achievement as “well deserved”.
He said Eckley “is one of the most deserving and respectful judoka I have had the pleasure to teach,” adding: “Hard work starts now.”
The Commonwealth Judo Championship takes place from September 25-29.
A good showing at the championships could be an Olympic pathway for Eckley, who will be competing against competitors from across the Commonwealth through MATT Silva has been appointed as the new head coach of RGC.
He will take the Premiership side into the next phase of it’s journey and is confident the Colwyn Bay-based team can challenge for one of the top places in the league at the end of the season.
In addition to the head coach role, Silva will also support the North Wales Academy to help unearth and develop players from across the region to ensure they reach their potential in the game.
Silva, who represented Wales B and won a rugby league cap for Wales, has worked within player and coach development roles for 15 years and coached Bridgend for the last three seasons.
He follows in the footsteps of a number of other widely respected coaches, most recently Chris Horsman, Damien McGrath, Phil Davies and Mark Jones, who, between them steered the Gogs through the leagues, gained promotion to the Premiership a series of knockout rounds.
John Horrigan, one of Eckley’s coaches at Bangor University Judo Club, described the young competitor as “the best of the best in Wales” in his weight class.
“Rhys has competed all over, he’s been to Germany and Slovenia,” said Horrigan.
“His parents deserve credit for their support, taking him down to sessions in Cardiff where the Welsh Judo Association is based.”
Eckley described the call-up as “a great feeling”, adding: “I’m very proud to represent my country. I was so happy when I heard the news and I’m just looking forward to it.”
The event is the latest top-level European and world judo competitions to be hosted in Britain to add to the IBSA European Championships, Veteran European Championships and EJU Senior European Open. and to the historic WRU National Cup win in 2017.
Jones and his coaching team steered the side to the cup win and Principality Premiership play-off semi-final in the first Premiership season, they finished fourth last season and maintained a respectable mid-table eighth position this season, comfortably securing their place in the Premiership with a young squad and producing an attacking and entertaining brand of rugby.
Jones’ proudest achievement was creating an environment in which young players can continue to thrive.
Defence coach Latham Tawhai remains as defence coach and former Scarlets prop Phil John remains as forwards coach in the short term but he has decided to stand down at the end of September after three years in the role to pursue other coaching opportunities.
With his coach development background, Silva aims to work closely with North Wales coaches to develop the next RGC coaching team.
“Taking on this role is a big but very exciting challenge and I can’t wait to get started” he said.
“It’s key that I get to know everyone involved with RGC and buy into the culture of NO Limits Racing returns to Anglesey Circuit this Saturday for its second race meeting at the venue this season.
The club has revealed that all places have sold out for the 10-hour spectacular which will be the longest motorcycle endurance race in the UK motorsport calendar this year. North Wales rugby and it’s also important I get straight into pre-season so that we can hit the ground running come September.
“I want to build on the legacy that Mark Jones and all the other past RGC coaches have created and I hope my actions will speak louder than words when it comes to the rugby we produce on the field.
“While it’s fantastic achievement to win the cup, my main aim is to finish in the top six and qualify for the Super 6 cross-border competition. There is certainly the talent within the current squad to do that.
“I very much plan to work with North Wales community clubs to unearth playing and coaching talent and bring them on the journey with us.
“It’s fantastic to step into a stable coaching team but when Phil John leaves his post, it would be great to fill it with a North Wales coach and certainly, further down the line, the goal is for RGC to be self-sufficient in terms of players and coaches.”
WRU community director Geraint John said, “I believe Matt will be a great appointment for RGC and North Wales rugby, both in the challenge of leading the RGC coaching team and by adding his expertise to the North Wales academy.
“He has huge experience within the fields of player and coach development, along with his Premiership credentials having ensured Bridgend’s ongoing place in the Indigo Group Premiership last season.
“RGC has gone from strength to strength on and off the field in its short history representing North Wales and has built a proud following of supporters and commercial partners.
“I’m sure Matt’s appointment will help make new ground as a development region.”
Hywel Roberts, WRU director and district council member for North Wales, said, “Matt’s appointment is another exciting chapter in the development of North Wales rugby and we are grateful for the steadfast support of Conwy Council to ensure we have a vibrant and high standard performance and community pathway for all players across North Wales.”
The 10-hour race was dreamed up following the success of last season’s eight-hour race at Donington Park.
“We’ve had a really good response and sold out quite quickly” said the club’s Claire Neate. “We’re all really looking forward to it.
“Everyone enjoyed our earlier trip to Anglesey this season and we’re excited about our first 10-hour endurance race.” DURING the past six weeks over 80 players have competed in the 4th Annual Caernarfon Celts Summer League, held on Thursday nights at Canolfan Brailsford Bangor.
At the end of a highly competitive group stage Bangor Bucks topped Group One with three wins from three games. The other three teams in the group won a game each and final positions were decided on points difference. The top scorer in Group One was Niall Williams with 111 points, including a remarkable 51-point performance in one game that matched the individual scoring record set two years ago. Niall was also Group One’s MVP with three MVP awards.
Group Two was just as close, with three teams winning two games each, with Llandudno Lightning topping the group on points difference. The group’s top scorer was Aled Gwilym Jones with 92 points from three games. Aled was also Group Two’s MVP with three MVP awards.
The league now moves on to the play-off round.
If you are interested in sponsoring next year’s summer league, get in touch with Celts via their Facebook page. St Deiniol Bangor results: July 20 Centenary Cup
1. Kevin Jones 66
2. Mike Webb 67 Coronation Cup
1. Janet Davies 71
2. Lorrie Murphy 74