Tom Cole has been confirmed as the new Ospreys Player Development Office for Bridgend District.
Cole,a former Ospreys U18 and U20 player, replaces Steve Tandy who has recently taken up the post of Age Grade Development Manager.
It is a first permanent full-time position within the Community Rugby Department for the Bridgend Athletic product, after he has gained considerable experience within the organisation in a number of roles.
Having played all of his mini, junior and senior rugby at Bridgend Athletic, he represented Bridgend District as well as the Ospreys age-grade set-up. After completing his Level One and Two coaching badges with the Ospreys whilst studying for a degree in Sports Development, he has been a regular coach at the Ospreys Kids Camps, helping to ignite a passion for rugby in the next generation of players, as well as coaching a number of Bridgend District teams.
Recently he has been covering as Afan Nedd Player Development Officer to cover Dai Arthur, who has been seconded to the Learning Through Sport project in conjunction with Neath Port Talbot Council.
Speaking about his appointment, Cole said:
“I’m delighted to be able to take up such an important post, particularly to be able to work within the Bridgend District and with a rugby community that I know very well.
“I believe passionately in the importance of providing youngsters with an opportunity to develop, and through this role I will be able to really make a difference to children in Bridgend who want to play rugby and have that desire to learn the game. I’m looking forward to really getting stuck into the job, and to helping to build a stronger playing base which will benefit the Ospreys in the longer term.”
Regional Community Manager, Ben Rose, commented:
“The role of the Player Development Manager is a crucial one if the Ospreys are going to achieve our vision of creating long term, sustainable success. They are at the front line, in terms of introducing children across the region to the game, and in many cases, providing their first, or only, structured coaching.
“As such, it is vitally important that we get such appointments right, and with Tom, we have a young man who believes absolutely in what we are doing, is a true Osprey having been part of our development system as a player and then cutting his coaching teeth with us, and is well known and respected in the Bridgend District. Bridgend is now well established as a crucial part of the region and with Tom on board the relationship with clubs and schools in the area can only get even stronger.
“I’d like to welcome him to the role on behalf of everyone at the Ospreys, and wish him all the best as a full-time member of the Community Rugby Department. I’m sure he will make a big impact.”