The Army Rugby Union is pleased to announce the appointment of WO1 (SMI) Gareth Slade-Jones, Royal Army Physical Training Corps as the new U23’s Head Coach.
Gareth has come through the ranks as a player having represented the Army U23’s before going on to achieve 29 caps in the Men’s Senior XV.
His last game for the Men’s Senior team was at the final of the inaugural International Defence Rugby World Cup in 2011, in which the team were crown winners.
His later playing years have seen him represent the Army Masters, where he has also been acting as the assistant coach for 3 seasons. Gareth finally retired from playing this season with the Masters, after 20 years wearing the Red Jersey.
Gareth is looking forward to the new challenges set out for him as a coach. Something that he will be doing alongside his brother Daryl who was assistant coach last season for the Men’s Senior XV and will now assistant him as a coach for U23’s. His other brother Rhydian, himself an ex-soldier, coaches for their home team Treherbert back home in the Rhondda Valleys.
Gareth said “I’m honoured to be appointed as the Head Coach of the Army U23’s. The U23’s is where my journey with Army Rugby began in 1998, so I’m both excited and privileged to be in a position to give something back to the team. Also, this position will see me team up with my brother Daryl for the first time in a coaching capacity. Daryl brings a lot of experience from the Men’s Senior set up, something that I will look to embrace to develop as a Head Coach. These roles don’t come around too often, so I will give it everything I have.”
Representing the Army Masters v RAF Vultures in 2016
Representing the Royal Army Physical Training Corps
