Coaches

CHRIS JONES

Chris Jones , (Senior Rugby Development Officer) began playing rugby at the age of eleven at Porth County Grammar School.He was captain of a very successful school team during this period. He had the honour of playing for Rhondda Schools U15s a year young, before captaining them at his rightful age. Subsequently, he was selected for the Wales Schools U15 Squad and was a member of the U19 squad for two years.On leaving school he had a colourful career playing for Treorchy RFC, before coaching them along with his brother Clive, taking them to the top of the old Welsh Premiership. He went on to coach Pontypridd RFC for over three years introducing the likes of Neil Jenkins and Dale McIntosh into senior rugby. He has been Rhondda Schools Development Officer for the last fifteen years, during which the Rhondda U15s have won the prestigious Dewar Shield six times and been losing finalists three times. Since 1997, fifty seven players have represented Wales at age group and senior levels, including four full internationals and one British & Irish Lion.

NEIL BOOBYER

Neil Boobyer (Senior Rugby Develoment Officer) began playing rugby at the age of eleven at Brynteg Comprehensive School in Bridgend. He played in a very successful school team during this period. He had the honour to play for Bridgend District Schools at under 15’s. On leaving school he had a very distinguished rugby career, he went to play for Tondu Youth and played in an unbeaten team and played at the Millennium Stadium where they won the Wales Youth Cup, he has gained international honours at Youth, U19, U21 and senior level for Wales. He played for Llanelli for 12 years and played over 290 games and is currently third in the list of all time try scorers for the Scarlets. He went to coach Llanelli RFC for one year with Scott Quinnell and won the Swalec Cup. He coached Bridgend District Schools Rugby U15’s for one year and has been Rhondda Schools Rugby Development Officer for the last 9 years, during which Rhondda have been to 9 consecutive Dewar Shield finals and have won the prestigious Dewar Shield on six occasions.