Coach’s Blog – Nathan Evans

When I joined the coaching team at Pontypridd RFC I felt welcomed from the offset, and I soon realised that the supporters are definitely the sixteenth man on the team, at home and on the road.

In my day job as a lecturer at USW, it was challenging to finish the academic year under the threat of COVID-19, and to begin a new one under its restrictions. It has not only affected staff at USW but also students, and we have tried hard to keep them engaged, so that their university experience can still be a positive one.

From a personal point of view, life has changed quite a lot during lockdown. My son Elis was working in Llandovery College with their rugby team, and then emigrated to Switzerland. My eldest daughter completed her Masters in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, and my youngest has returned to continue studying from home instead of studying in London. All of this, as everybody in a similar situation will know, has put additional pressure on the family.

From the earliest days of the pandemic, it has been clear that the boys in the Ponty squad have remained on top of their fitness and their scores in testing have shown positive improvements. A number have kept in touch to request fitness programmes and from time to time I post suggestions on training schedules for the squad. Despite this I have found it difficult to be away from the coaching environment and look forward to returning to some semblance of normality, where I can see the players develop and progress.

Like everyone I am anxious to return to Sardis as soon as possible, to see the boys run out and see some rugby played.

Nathan Evans – Conditioning Coach