News

Following the recent appointment of a new head coach, Jake Thomas, the Old Penarthians RFC are pleased to announce that they have appointed their first ever Director of Rugby.

Welcome to Keri Lovell.

Keri was until recently the Vale of Glamorgan Hub Officer for the WRU with special responsibility for developing rugby at all Penarth senior and primary schools. He was particularly proud to have been awarded the National Hub Officers award for changing the women’s game and also the National award for Coach Development in his first year in his role with the WRU.

He is currently the forwards coach for the Cardiff Blues under 16‘s team and a qualified level three coach.

Prior to coming to South Wales he was head coach at Canterbury Christchurch University for their women’s rugby teams, head coach at Gillingham Anchorians RFC and a Development Coach for England RFU. Although we won’t hold that against him!

The role will be an all-encompassing one with responsibility for overseeing the growth and development of all forms of rugby at the club from under sixes through to seniors, veterans and ladies, and to include individual player development and player retention.

Keri has never lost his passion and commitment for rugby and as a club we are sure that his enthusiasm, experience and drive will be a huge asset in enabling the club to grow and become ever more relevant to the local community.

Upon his appointment, Keri said, “ Since moving to South Wales I have been amazed at the passion for rugby throughout the community and this is particularly so in Penarth. I hope in my new role at the Old Pens I will be able to give something back to a sport that has given so much to me over the years”.

Rugby as our national sport may well be under considerable stress at the moment but we at the Old Penarthians RFC have a clear vision of what we want to become and with our recent appointments we are sure the club will go from strength to strength.

We look forward to working with you Keri.