By Ian Golden, Date: 19/12/13
Dan Clements has become the first ever Rugby League coach in Wales to hold a UKCC Level 4 coaching qualification.
The 33–year old, who will return to Wales Rugby League as a volunteer in 2014, has recently completed a two year course that he first began whilst working as the Head of Performance for Wales Rugby League.
This programme is innovative in that it has Rugby League coaches working alongside other sports including table tennis as part of a pentagon group. Other elite Rugby League coaches who have achieved the qualification include Scotland head coach Steve McCormack, former England coach John Kear and current England youth coach Dave Elliott.
Clements, who won a national Coach of the Year award in 2008 for leading Celtic Crusaders Colts to the Conference National title, coached a number of Wales junior sides in his time at WRL before joining the Hockey Wales as their Performance Manager.
He said: “The course has been invaluable for me in expanding my knowledge on the wider aspects of coaching and has given me a more in depth knowledge on a number of subject areas.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and the challenge that it provided me over the past two years and am extremely thankful for the support provided by Wales Rugby League.”
WRL Chief Operating Officer Chris Thair said: “Everyone at Wales Rugby League is proud of Dan on a wonderful achievement. We know how hard that he’s worked for this award, and developing the sports volunteer and staff workforce in Wales is something we as a governing body continually strive for and support. Dan has a great passion for coaching Rugby League and is a valued member of our sports committed family here in Wales.”
