Former Wales Youth, Under 19, Under 21, A and Sevens international Rhys Shorney is part of the support team for the British swimming squad in Brazil and has been heralded for work behind the scenes by Welsh silver medallist Jazz Carlin and golden boy Adam Peaty.
This is the second Olympic Games that Shorney has attended as a physiotherapist with eh swimming team. He has also attended the last two Commonwealth Games with Team Wales and attended two World Swimming Championships.
A graduate of Uwic and Cardiff University, he is currently works as a lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences and is also clinical lead for its sports injury service ‘Inspire Performance’, which is located in the Talybont Sports Village and specialises in sports injury management.
Not that the 39-year-old former centre and wing has forgotten his rugby background. He is also the Lead Physiotherapist and Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach with Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale.
As well as playing for Uwic, Pontypridd, Newport and the Dragons, Shorney also played at Eugene Cross Park during a career that saw him notch 88 league tries before hanging up his boots in 2006. He still holds a share of the WRU National League try scoring record with seven tries for Pontypridd against Aberavon in the Premier Division in 1998.
“Having previously worked for British Swimming I have an excellent relationship with them and Swim Wales, providing regular services to both. Swimming is a key sport in Wales from both a mass participation perspective and in regards to big competitions such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games,” said Shorney.
