Rydal Penrhos has appointed former rugby professional Rob O’Donnell as a sports coach on a full-time basis.

Rydal Penrhos has a rich and proud history of sporting success. Many pupils past and present have gone on to achieve accolades at national and international levels, with the school also securing prestigious team championships in a number of areas including Hockey, Golf, Rugby, Swimming, Skiing and Sailing in recent years.

Although the current COVID-19 restrictions are preventing normal fixtures from taking place, the school is still doing everything to ensure pupils are fit, active, healthy, and improving in a sporting environment.

Training sessions are still taking place under social distancing guidelines implemented by the Welsh Government and Sport Wales, in addition to specialist coaching sessions during the curricular and extra-curricular timetable.

Even though there is no substitute for competition, pupils are continuing to develop in their areas of interest as part of a fulfilling sporting provision and will ensure they are ready to hit the ground running when fixtures are permitted to resume.

This provision has been enhanced by the appointment of  Rob O’Donnell as the school’s new sports coach. The former rugby professional is an expert in strength and conditioning and formally began his role on Monday 14 June.

Mr. O’Donnell is no stranger to Rydal Penrhos, having previously worked as a rugby and conditioning coach on a part-time basis.

He now joins in a permanent role and will specialise in rugby as well as strength and conditioning to assist our aspiring athletes reach their goals.

At six-foot five-inches, O’Donnell is a former rugby professional forward who operated on both sides of the scrum. He began his career at Waterloo before making a high-profile switch to Sale Sharks, where he made 35 appearances.

This was followed by a spell with Rotherham Titans over a two-year period, and O’Donnell also enjoyed hugely successful stints at Worcester Warriors and Yorkshire Carnegie.

He recently retired from the professional game following a fantastic 14-year career, and the popular figure is sure to be a huge asset to Rydal Penrhos’ sporting provision.

Everyone is thrilled to have Mr. O’Donnell on board and we look forward to watching how our pupils progress under his expert guidance.

_____________________________________

Anyone wishing to enquire about Rydal Penrhos School can do so by calling 01492 530155, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or register your interest online here: https://rydalpenrhos.com/admissions/apply-now.