A former amateur rugby union player who lost his job a year ago is readying himself for a career as a coach, after taking advice from Welsh internationals Huw Bennett and Dan Lydiate.
Gerwyn Jones, 46, of Cwm, was laid off from his job as a factory worker in April 2009 and hasn’t been able to find work since.
His journey to find work has taken him to employment specialists Working Links where their partnership with RTB Ebbw Vale RFC has paid dividends.
Gerwyn was one of dozens of other helpers who joined forces to refurbish the club’s facilities during a recent RBS Rugby Force event – a project to enhance the amenities of rugby clubs across the UK.
He said: “I heard about the refurbishment event through Working Links and I love giving a helping hand so I thought I’d give it a go.
“It was a really enjoyable day; I got my hands dirty and had a chat with a couple of the international players who had come down to promote the event. I had a great chat with Huw Bennett, and with him being a local lad we got on quite well. He gave me some great advice about getting into coaching.”
Gerwyn played amateur rugby union for Cwm and Llanhilleth for more than ten years so a coaching career is not that much of a pipedream. With help from Working Links, he is looking into funding for the NVQ Level 2 coaching course and will be working with RTB’s youth teams to develop his coaching skills.
He added: “RTB have been great – the coaches there have agreed to let me shadow them on training sessions and assist them in competitive games. I really enjoy volunteering and do a lot of youth work in the area – it’s all very rewarding and hopefully will help me get back on the job ladder. I have to say a huge thank you to RTB and Working Links for this opportunity.”
To find out how Working Links can help unemployed people, visit www.workinglinks.co.uk
