NEWS

MEET THE COACHES 2 ———— CHRIS DAVIES

Today’s Profile features well-travelled and experienced Tight Head Prop and Forwards Coach CHRIS DAVIES. We are already seeing the benefit of Chris’s power play with a strong scrum and solid platform as we settle in to life in Division 2.

HOW DID YOU INITIALLY GET IN TO RUGBY AND WHO WERE YOUR EARLY INFLUENCERS AND RESPECTED PLAYERS?

In primary school I used to play all sports but enjoyed rugby more. Early influencer was probably Martyn Williams

WHICH CLUBS HAVE YOU PLAYED FOR AND WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

I have played for Penclawdd, Royal Navy, Combined Services  under23s, Neath, Bridgend, Aberavon, Swansea, Newport and the list goes on.

Highlights – It’s between playing in the Principality and Twickenham

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO BIRCHGROVE , WHY AND WHAT ARE YOUR EARLY IMPRESSIONS

Kipper begged me haha. The style of rugby we want to play. First impressions are the boys are gutsy and will hit anything.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ABLE TO BRING TO THE CLUB/TEAM AS A PLAYER AND FORWARDS COACH.

A decent platform for the backs and enjoyment for the boys.

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 IF YOU COULD HAVE A PINT WITH TWO FAMOUS RUGBY PLAYERS WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY

Adam Jones and Joe Marler

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COMMUNITY GAME AT GRASS ROOTS-AND HOW COULD IT BE IMPROVED ?

I don’t think we have enough space on the programme for my input on how it could be improved. Its terrible at the moment. Not enough youngsters coming through. 

EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION ON WELSH PROFESSIONAL RUGBY AND IT’S FUTURE .WHAT DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO RESTORE PAST GLORIES

Get rid of the pen pushers 

QUICK FIRE ROUND

NAME – Chris

NICKNAME- Musty

AGE- 24 with 10 years experience

OCCUPATION- Maintenance Manager

POSITION- Tighthead/ Anywhere in the backline

CLUBS Too Many

SEASONS GOALS- Promotion

BEST MOMENT IN RUGBY- Touring Australia with the Navy rugby team

WORST MOMENT IN RUGBY- Going back in the scrum at a rate of knots against Bath

FAVE DRINK- Gin and tonic

FAVE TOUR DESTINATION- Australia

FAVE SONG- Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

FAVE MOVIE- Top Gun

Welcome to the official news hub for the Birchgrove RFC for all your local updates. Here you will find match reports, club developments, community highlights and more. Whether it’s a big win on the pitch, progress from our junior teams, or exciting news from behind the scenes, we’ll keep you up to date right here.

First home game of the Season and a chance to Meet the New Coaching Team. So, let’s kick off with head Coach KEVIN-Kipper- JAMES. Kevin has some very positive and thought-provoking views on the game and his new role at the Club as I found out speaking to him recently. This is what he has to say ;-

KEVIN JAMES PROGRAMME PROFILE.

HOW DID YOU INITIALLY GET IN TO RUGBY AND WHO WERE YOUR EARLY INFLUENCERS AND RESPECTED PLAYERS?

I initially got into rugby at 5 years old at my local club Skewen RFC, my early influencers were my mother and friends I grew up with and later on my brother ‘Paul James,’ who also played rugby to the highest level possible for Wales, Barbarians, Ospreys, Bath and Neath. Moreover, I respected all players but did not fear anyone! Furthermore, I have been extremely fortunate to play and coach at the highest level and in addition to respecting my brother ‘Paul James,’ I also looked up to and respected players I played with or against Shane Williams, Allan Bateman, Arwel Thomas, Salesi Finau, Brian Lima and Richie McCaw.

WHICH CLUBS HAVE YOU PLAYED FOR AND WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

I have been fortunate to play for a number of recognised clubs and international teams such as Neath, Gwent Dragons, Cornish Pirates, Swansea, Ebbw Vale, Caerphilly, Skewen, Tonmawr, South Wales Scorpions (Rugby League), Wales 7’s, Wales U21’s, Wales Students, Wales U19’s FIRA, Welsh Colleges, Wales U18’s Schools and Wales U16’s Schools. I have had many playing career highlights such as playing professionally with my brother ‘Paul James,’ for Neath in the Heineken Cup, playing and scoring for Wales 7’s on the World 7’s Circuit, scoring 4 tries against Glasgow for Neath in the Welsh-Scottish League, being the top try scorer twice in The Welsh Premiership and scoring multiply times on the Millenium Stadium playing for Neath in Welsh Cup Finals.

WHICH CLUBS HAVE YOU COACHED PREVIOUSLY AND WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR COACHING CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

I am an accredited WRU UKCC Level 3 coach that has worked with a wide range of organisations such as Ospreys RAG U18’s Head Coach, Ospreys RAG U16’s Head Coach, Ospreys RAG U19’s Head Coach, Ospreys Seniors 7’s Skills Coach, Swansea RFC Backs and Attack Coach, Skewen RFC Head Coach and Tonmawr Backs and Attack Coach. I have had many coaching career highlights such as nurturing young talent to transition from the Ospreys RAG programme into the Ospreys Senior environment, twice winning the U18’s RAG competition with Ospreys U18’s and winning the Division One West Central Title with Skewen RFC.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO BIRCHGROVE AND WHY AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ABLE TO BRING TO COMMUNITY RUGBY WITH BIRCHGROVE?

I have always been aware of the many positive aspects of Birchgrove RFC and specifically I came on board to become head coach at Birchgrove RFC as I have known Colin Kirkhouse for a long time from refereeing me professional, Colin is a great club man and his passion for the club is infectious! Moreover, I believe I can bring a sense of calm, rugby intelligence, professionalism and a fun element back to Birchgrove RFC and I am excited to work with all stakeholders associated with the club to make it a successful season both off and on the field!

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE CLUB AND YOURSELF FOR THE FUTURE ?

My primary focus is supporting the clubs’ ambitions where I have been given a warm welcome and full backing from all associated with Birchgrove RFC. Furthermore, I aim to unite and support all sections of the club as I believe this is a key component to make everyone feel more valued and respected which is an essential element for achieving off and on field success for all! Moreover, focussing on more detail with the seniors I aim to improve the culture through a tried and tested philosophy of enjoyment, respect, passion, discipline and teamwork, which I am confident if we get right can have a domino effect for us to have a successful season on the field!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COMMUNITY GAME AT GRASS ROOTS AND HOW COULD IT BE IMPROVED ?

In my opinion I have seen clearly that numbers at large are dropping off in regard to playing community rugby which is a shame however there are external factors involved that are out of our control. Nevertheless, I am passionate about controlling the controllables alongside having a Growth Mindset to be innovative in order to combat numbers dropping off further and to entice young players back to community clubs! Moreover, there are still some hidden gems playing at community level and for me it is about how we identify and support these players to excel further and also drive standards across the board at community clubs. It is great to see the governing body in charge are making more positive changes to all aspects of rugby in Wales however this is a working project and there is still a need for additional changes to improve the game we all love. I feel  the governing body in charge of rugby needs to drill down further and have a realist grasp of the challenges faced by community rugby clubs and offer them more personalised support to thrive again!

EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION ON WELSH PROFESSIONAL RUGBY AND IT’S FUTURE .WHAT DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO RESTORE PAST GLORIES ?

I am no politician and as mentioned I feel the governing body in charge are taking positive steps however we must all work more collaboratively to improve the professional game in Wales starting at the bottom with community rugby. It is clearly evident that we have not got the player pool to continue with four regions, so some big decisions need to be made and importantly stuck to for a period of time for consistency. Additionally, I would like to see the gap close and improve between the new Super Rugby Cymru where a higher standard of competition is created such as a cross boarder competition with the like of Irish, Scottish and English equivalent teams. Lastly although I agree we must manage young elite athletes nevertheless I feel they must be allowed to play more actual rugby to learn their trade and improve thematically!

QUICK FIRE ROUND

NAME – Kevin James.

NICKNAME- Kipper.

AGE- 34.

OCCUPATION- Lead Tutor/Teacher.

CLUBS- Neath, Gwent Dragons, Cornish Pirates, Swansea, Ebbw Vale, Caerphilly, Skewen, Tonmawr.

SEASONS GOALS- Create a professional, fun environment and to be competitive and hard to beat on the field.

BEST MOMENT IN RUGBY- Playing professional rugby with my brother ‘Paul James!’

WORST MOMENT IN RUGBY- Colin Kirkhouse refereeing.

FAVE DRINK- Shandy Bass.

FAVE TOUR DESTINATION- Benidorm and Trecco Bay.

FAVE SONG- Anything from The Greatest Showman.

HOBBIES- Train Spotter and Stamp Collector.

FAVE MOVIE- He-Man Masters of the Universe.