Experienced pair take coaching reins with Abercwmboi

ABERCWMBOI RFC have announced a new coaching set-up with Gareth Gunter (forwards) and David Lynch (backs) taking charge.

The pair bring a combined 40 years’ experience of coaching at local, Championship, Premiership, and international level to the Between them they most recently spent a combined total of 26 years at Bargoed RFC (Lynch 17 seasons, Gunter nine).

During this time. Lynch has marked some fine achievements, from winning every league from Division Six to the Championship, multiple Mid District Cups to combining that with a 55-game winning streak that spanned omore than three seasons and consecutive promotions.

Most recently, the coaching duo achieved promotion from the Championship in 2015, guiding the Blues through three seasons in the Welsh Premiership (2016-2019).

They started their partnership back in 1998, both as players of Pontypool RFC where Lynch captained for two seasons.

Gunter followed his eight-season tenure playing four seasons for Cardiff RFC.

He then spent four seasons as head coach of the Norwegian national team, guiding them though World Cup qualifying group stages in 2015 and onto their highest-ever IRB world ranking.

Club captain David Barry said: “The appointment of two new coaches with the calibre of Gareth and Dai is a real coup for Abercwmboi RFC and a statement of intent from the club on where we aim to be in the near future.

“After meeting both coaches, I don’t think the committee could have found a better fit, they both share a “work hard, play hard” mentality with not only an on-field focus, but also a big emphasis on the social side of things, which we’ve always prided ourselves on here at the club.

“I know the boys are really excited to meet the coaches and can’t wait to start working with them”.

Chairman Phillip Webster added: “I’d like to welcome Gareth and Dai to Abercwmboi Rugby Club, and I look forward to seeing them working with our senior squad.

“They both come with bags of coaching experience at a high level and we are fortunate to have them at our club.

“I’d like to thank our outgoing coaches, Craig Evans for the past two seasons and Neil Burnett for last season.

“Unfortunately both have had to step down because of work commitments although Neil will be around occasionally on training nights and match days, work allowing.”