Ospreys duo to leave at end of the season

Strength and Conditioning Coach Alex Lawson and Physiotherapist Daloni Lucas will be leaving the Ospreys after Saturday's Magners League Grand Final against Leinster.

The pair are moving onto fresh challenges after seven and four years with the region respectively.

Alex has been appointed Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Newport Gwent Dragons, while Daloni is set to join the Professional Jockeys Association as a Physio, where she will be based at the residential rehab clinic at Oaksey House, Lambourn, as well as covering race meetings across the UK.

Speaking about his move to the Dragons, Alex commented:

"It's probably the toughest decision I've ever had to make in terms of my career, but after being a part of the Ospreys since the very beginning, the timing of this opportunity for me to step-up to Head Strength and Conditioning Coach was right for me and I'm looking forward to a new challenge.

"I'm extremely proud to have been involved with the Ospreys over the last seven years and consider it a real privilege to have worked closely with world class athletes and coaches in this time. I've made some great friends here and these friendships will continue. I'll continue living in the region so I'm not completely cutting my Ospreylian ties."

Daloni added:

"I'm sad to be leaving the Ospreys family, after working so closely with the players and management I'll always be an Osprey at heart. It's not an easy decision to make, but I feel that it is an excellent opportunity for me to develop further as a well-rounded sports physio, working in a different elite sports environment.

"Having ridden for many years myself, I'm going into an environment that I'm particularly interested in, and while it will be a wrench to leave the Ospreys, it's also an exciting time for me personally."

Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, paid tribute to the duo, saying:

"It is always sad to see people leaving an organisation, particularly when they are such outstanding servants as Alex and Daloni. They've both provided tremendous service to the Ospreys, making extremely positive contributions to the environment and the success that we've enjoyed.

"Development from within is at the very heart of what we do here at the Ospreys, and both Alex and Daloni have thrived in our environment, really establishing themselves as key members of the team. As is often the case though, the time is now right for them to move on to a new challenge, which will allow them to continue their development, ensuring that they reach their full potential and we wish them both the very best of luck in their new roles. They will always be Ospreys, and they know that they will always be welcome back into our environment in the future."