Aberavon RFC are delighted to confirm the appointment of Charlie Jones as Lead Athletic Performance Coach, strengthening the club’s performance programme ahead of the 2026/27 Super Rygbi Cymru season.

Jones joins the Wizards with experience across rugby and athletic performance environments, having previously worked with Merthyr RFC and Merthyr College before progressing through ION Strength and Conditioning. He currently works with Cardiff Rugby, supporting the strength and conditioning provision for junior and senior academy athletes, and has also led athletic performance work at Cowbridge RFC.

His arrival represents a significant development in Aberavon’s performance provision, with Jones already implementing a new structure around the physical preparation and development of the playing squad.

Since joining the club, he has created an annual periodisation plan aligned to the demands of the season, introduced individualised player programmes, reorganised the club’s testing and performance data and expanded the physical metrics being monitored, including a greater focus on speed and running performance.

Head Coach Chris Davies believes the appointment represents an important step forward for the club.

“Charlie’s appointment is a significant one for us and, even in a relatively short period of time, we’ve already seen the impact he can have on our programme.

“What has been particularly refreshing is the level of detail, structure and expertise Charlie has brought to our athletic performance provision. He has built an annual periodisation plan around the demands of our season, introduced individualised programmes for our players, completely reorganised our testing data and introduced greater emphasis on areas such as speed and running metrics.

“The reality is that this is a level of athletic performance provision that we haven’t had at Aberavon, certainly during the last five seasons. That isn’t about looking backwards or being critical of what has gone before; it’s about recognising where we need to move forward as a rugby programme.

“I believe this is now an important part of what our provision as an SRC club should look like. If we are serious about developing players, improving performance and creating an environment where players can maximise their potential, then we have to provide them with this level of planning, individualisation and support.

“What I’ve really enjoyed is that Charlie hasn’t just come in and run fitness sessions. He’s created a programme. There is a plan for the year, there is a plan for each individual player and there is a purpose behind the information we collect.

“For me, this represents a much-needed step forward for Aberavon. We talk about raising standards across the club and this appointment is a tangible example of us doing that.”

Jones says the identity of Aberavon and the ambition surrounding the club were major attractions when the opportunity arose.

“The club’s strong identity, history and reputation really appealed to me. It’s a proud club with a very good community supporting it, but what also stood out was that the club is clearly hungry for success.

“As Lead Athletic Performance Coach, that is really important. The players are eager to do as much as they possibly can to improve physically and ultimately become better rugby players. The effort of the coaches and players has really stood out to me and shows the desire here to push on and be successful.”

Joining during Aberavon’s 150th anniversary season adds further significance to the appointment for Jones.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to be part of such a significant chapter in the club’s history. The 150th anniversary season is a huge milestone and to join Aberavon as Lead Athletic Performance Coach is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“There’s a real opportunity to build on the club’s history while helping shape what comes next, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in that.”

While much of Jones’ work will take place away from matchday, his objective is for the results to be clearly visible when the Wizards take the field.

“I want supporters to see a team that physically dominates for the full 80 minutes. I want our players to show relentless work rate, intensity and physicality throughout the game and never take their foot off the gas.

“I want supporters to see a team that never stops — one that works incredibly hard for each other, competes in every moment and is difficult for any opposition to play against. I also want them to notice the speed and power in our players.”

Davies believes that connection between athletic development and rugby performance is fundamental to the role.

“This isn’t simply about making players fitter. The physical programme has to support how we want to play rugby.

“Speed, power, repeat effort, availability and the ability to maintain our intensity are all performance qualities. Charlie understands that his role is connected to the rugby programme rather than sitting separately from it.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with what he has implemented already. It has been a refreshing and much-needed change for us, and I genuinely believe this area of our programme can make a significant difference to our players and our performances.”

For Jones, representing Aberavon in such a landmark season also carries responsibility.

“It’s a club with a huge history and a strong identity, so I feel a real responsibility to represent it in the right way. When the opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer for me.

“I want to give everything I can to the players, the staff and the club and help create a team that the supporters can be proud of. Being part of Aberavon during its 150th anniversary season makes that responsibility even more special.”