Llandrillo Rugby Academy Coaches Lead the Way

Andrew Williams is the first RGC rugby player to have chalked-up 200 appearances after running out at Eirias Park recently.

Coincidentally, having played his first game against Merthyr back in 2012, he played his 200th game again against Merthyr on the Colwyn Bay pitch.

RGC head coach Ceri Jones said: “It was great to get the win and for Andrew to reach that 200 game milestone. It is a huge achievement to be the first player to reach 200 appearances for the club.”’

Away from his RGC duties, Andrew is Coleg Llandrillo’s Rugby Academy coordinator and Level 1 Sport and Public Services coordinator.

Since starting his role at the college in 2014, Andrew has coached over 150 learners with 30 of these having played for the RGC first team!!

Benefits of being part of Coleg Llandrillo’s Rugby Academy are numerous: as members of the prestigious WRU U18 Colleges League, and with fixtures being televised on Rygbi Pawb on S4C, students will be able to showcase their talents to a national audience; with highly competitive fixtures, players are exposed to a level of competition which has an intensity, physicality and skill level that is above and beyond what they'll have experienced at U16 level, and academy players will also compete in two AoC Sport cup competitions and several high profile Rugby 7s’ competitions.

The Rugby Academy trains three times a week both on the field and in the gym, under the guidance of Andrew Williams (Head Coach) and Afon Bagshaw (Assistant Coach), alongside RGC’s support team (Strength and Conditioning Coaches and Physios).

As well as his coaching role at Coleg Llandrillo, Afon Bagshaw, who is a former Coleg Llandrillo student and Rugby Academy player himself, is currently the RGC U18s’ Academy Coach. The U18s’ squad currently contains 25 Coleg Llandrillo Rugby Academy players.

Afon has been a leading figure at RGC for a considerable period of time after coming through the Academy ranks at Coleg Llandrillo. He has achieved a significant amount throughout his career, earning international recognition for Wales at youth level, in addition to becoming vice-captain of the national 7s’ side.

Afon said: “The most beneficial aspect of attending Coleg Llandrillo was the opportunity to pursue a sought-after academic qualification, whilst being fully involved in a high-performance rugby union programme. This is testament - first and foremost - to the excellent academic staff at the college who work tirelessly to facilitate well-structured and enjoyable modules.

"Secondly, the balance of individual and group work, alongside presentational and practical assessments, enabled me to improve several important skills. In particular, my self-confidence and public speaking skills developed as a direct result of the course.

"The rugby academy was a vital part of my progression as a player. Strength and conditioning - combined with insightful coaching - laid the foundations for me to go on and achieve. Also, significant emphasis is placed upon producing well-rounded characters at the college. The rugby academy certainly achieves this, with lots of opportunities to take up extra-curricular activities, including coaching and refereeing within local communities. Most importantly for me however, was that I made firm friendships during my time in the academy which I still value greatly today."

Interested in being part of the Rugby Academy at Coleg Llandrillo?

It is open to Year 11 boys interested in developing their rugby whilst succeeding academically.

The taster morning will include information on the various courses and qualifications available, an introduction to strength and conditioning, as well as an on-field skills session.

Players not actively involved in the Regional Age Grade Programme (RGC U16s) are actively encouraged to attend.

Rugby Academy Taster Morning

February 23rd 2022

9:00am - 12:30pm

Coleg Llandrillo - Rhos-on-Sea campus

To book your place or for further information please contact Andrew Williams:

Email - andrewwilliams@gllm.ac.uk

01492546666 ext 1246