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Dragons Coaching Team Confirmed

Bernard Jackman has added to his new-look Dragons back room team with the recruitment of skills coach Alan Kingsley, as Barry Maddocks steps up to the role of Backs coach for the region.

Martyn Bicknell | 13/07/2018
Former Aberavon centre Maddocks, joined the Dragons from Bath last August after previously working with the Wizards, England’s male and female sevens teams, Wales age grade and Hartpury College, starting his new role at the start of pre-season following the departure of Shaun Connor.

Alan Kingsley joins the management team that also includes Forwards coach Ceri Jones, Defence Coach Hendre Marnitz, Head of Performance Analysis Simon Norris, who arrived this summer from Exeter Chiefs, along with Ben Stirling and Ryan Harris, who head up the medical and strength and conditioning teams.

“My role has changed to look after the backs and the attacking shape in conjunction with Bernard,” confirmed Barry. 

“There is more responsibility than before because I was supporting Shaun and leading a lot of the skill development. Now there is much more about the game-plan, structures and working with the backs on their skills, decision-making and attacking starter plays.

“Pre-season is the busiest time, as we do a lot of layering in our coaching. It’s getting a lot of the principles in place and doing the hard yards now, then as you go through the season you have a foundation and tweak little bits as you go.

“We have an attacking framework and within that the players take responsibility for how we mould and shape that.”

Specialist attack and kicking coach Alan Kingsley arrived at Ystrad Mynach as the Dragons returned to pre-season earlier this summer. Kingsley left his roles as kicking coach with Leinster Rugby Under 20s and Under 19s squads, attack coach at St Mary’s College and head coach at Navan RFC. In his playing days, he progressed through the Leinster age grade teams to become a stand out club player joining Young Munster and Garryowen, where he was selected 7 times for Ireland Club XV.

“I was involved in the under-age set-up at Leinster and around the seniors a bit, but an opportunity like this is massive,” said Alan.

“It was a no-brainer to come over and it’s been a great start. They are long days in pre-season at the moment and it’s all rugby, rugby, rugby but it’s really enjoyable.

“Barry is from a skills background and is very attack-minded, so he is going to be a great help while the lads are mad for their extras, so hopefully we will see big improvements come September.”

Head Coach Bernard Jackman is pleased with the progress of his charges under the new management team at the Dragons. 

“Along with the appointments we announced in June, it’s great to confirm Alan Kingsley is on board and to see Barry step up to his new role,” said Jackman.

“Alan joins after previously coaching with Western Force Academy and at Leinster, whilst Barry showed last season that he is an outstanding coach and has brought valuable experience from England after working at Bath and Hartpury.

“Through our new coaching appointments, we have added more skills and expertise to the team to drive our on-field performance and that started 5 and a half weeks ago when we returned to pre-season.”
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