29 Jun Paul Watkin appointed Head of Pathway

Posted at 05:28h in 2023/24 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens are delighted to announce that Paul Watkin has joined the Club as Head of Pathway.

Paul enjoyed a distinguished rugby playing career, including representing Bridgend RFC and Wales at Youth Level. Following the conclusion of his playing days, he stepped into coaching and he will combine his Head of Pathway role with his current positions working within the Ospreys Academy and Bridgend College.

Rugby is very much in the family for Paul – his sons Owen and Geraint have both previously represented Bridgend Ravens, with Owen progressing to regional and international honours with Wales. His job is wide ranging in scope, but focuses on player identification and monitoring of the brightest talents in the county. This starts at school level but will also involve close cooperation with Bridgend College, developing a succession plan for players that are identified to progress to first team senior rugby with Bridgend Ravens. Importantly, the role will also see Watkin continue to develop and enhance our relationships with local partner clubs within Bridgend County with constant interaction and dialogue with club stakeholders to ensure that rugby throughout the borough continues to thrive.

Bridgend Ravens General Manager, Tony Williams, was delighted to add Paul to the club’s management, commenting “Paul was the outstanding candidate for this role. He has a superb knowledge of junior rugby in the area and knows the pathway very well due to his role with the Ospreys Academy and at Bridgend College. We look forward to Paul strengthening our already strong links with our partner clubs in the borough.”

Paul Watkin commented “I’m really pleased to join the Management Team at Bridgend Ravens. I am so passionate about the pathway and developing the next generation of our borough’s players. Bridgend Ravens have a really important role to play in the pathway system and I am looking forward to working with all of our partner clubs, schools, colleges and our region to help it become as successful as possible.”