Cardiff, 24 February 2004: The Llangennech coach Arwel Davies is the Lloyds TSB Coach of the Month for January; with Rumney lock forward Michael Kelly named Lloyds TSB Player of the Month. The announcement was made today at the Millennium Stadium.
The announcements form part of an award system for Division One, created by Lloyds TSB, Official Partner of WRU, to recognise the importance of the Welsh National Leagues.
Llangennech have played a progressive, attacking brand of rugby ever since Davies took charge and guided them to Division One. His side has scored 64 tries in 18 matches and after a hiccup that brought three straight losses from mid-November, the trend was reversed in January with 24 tries and 153 points being recorded in wins over Tondu, Rumney and Blackwood.
In January, Michael Kelly, the 22 year old Rumney lock forward bagged a hat-trick of tries during a surprise win over Carmarthen Athletic in January. Only securing a regular place in the team in November his performances have been outstanding in a team weakened by several player departures.
The Lloyds TSB Welsh National Leagues awards recognise outstanding performances by both players and coaches each month in National League Division One. The decisions are made by the Lloyds TSB Awards Panel, which includes representatives from the WRU and the Welsh media. The monthly awards scheme will culminate at the end of the season with an announcement of the overall player, coach, points scorer and club of the season.
Anthony Thomas, Lloyds TSB’s Welsh Area Director for Business Banking said,
“The new year hasn’t seen any let up in quality within the Lloyds TSB National Welsh Leagues. This month’s winners aren’t from the leading clubs but have been acknowledged for outstanding performances which is very pleasing to see.”
Lloyds TSB has been official partner of the Welsh Rugby Union for a year but has supported Welsh rugby for six years. Lloyds TSB was also an official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2003, and official partner to the Scottish Rugby Union. This adds to
Lloyds TSB’s portfolio in rugby following their successful title sponsorship of the Five and Six Nations Championship and Rugby World Cup 1999.
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For further information please contact:
Rob Cole at WRU Press Office 02920 668268 / 07971 619162
James Maxton at Ketchum 0207 611 3615 / 07985 193 853
Notes to editors:
Previous Winners
December 2003
Coach of the Month – Leighton O’Connor and Gareth Brown, Maesteg RFC
Player of the Month – Marc Davies, Llanharan RFC
November 2003
Coach of the Month – Dominic Setaro, Whitland RFC
Player of the Month – Julian Howells, Carmarthen RFC
October 2003
Coach of the Month – Dennis John, Llanharan RFC,
Player of the Month – Dean Thomas, Tondu RFC
September 2003
Coach of the Month – Mark Thomas, Blackwood RFC
Player of the Month – Jeremy Lloyd, Blackwood RFC
