Stuart Evans Departs Neath Rugby

10th July 2008

Stuart Evans resigns

Neath Rugby regret to announce that team manager Stuart Evans is leaving the Welsh All Blacks after 18months at the club.

The former Welsh prop has accepted a role with Cambria Holdings PLC and will leave the club with immediate effect.

During his stint as team manager Neath Rugby have won two league titles and the Konica Minolta cup. Evans helped instigate fixtures against Romania, Bucharest and a forthcoming match against Saracens.

The club would like to wish him all the best in his new role and thank him for his dedication to Neath Rugby over the past 18 months.

Stuart Evans has said:

"I have had a rewarding and enjoyable time as team manager of Neath. Towards the end of the season I was approached to head a new division of Cambria Holdings plc with responsibility for P.R and development of their corporate business throughout the UK, which I have now accepted.

In November 2006, Geraint invited me to manage Neath Rugby and being Neath born and bred, the answer was yes immediately. Geraint and I produced a 3 year rugby plan to keep Neath at the top of the club game in Wales.

This was a formidable task. The first step was to consolidate our 32 man squad and create competition for places within the team and also ensure the right coaching structures were in place.

I am proud to say that the objective set was achieved in 2 years and not 3. We won the league in 2006-2007 and the double in 2007 - 2008.

The profile and brand of Neath Rugby has been enhanced by the playing of Guinness Premiership Team and the full Romanian National Team prior to the 2007 World Cup.

I am sure Neath Rugby will continue to go from strength to strength and I feel privileged and proud to have been a part of what is today a massive club.

As a player, coach and team manager I would like to wish Geraint, the coaches, the players, staff and especially the supporter's continuous success in the coming years"

Chairman Geraint Hawkes has said:

"Stuarts return to the Gnoll was vital as we were mid table at the time and then went on a 12 match unbeaten run which enabled us to win the league.
He is truly an inspirational person who all the squad have looked up to with immense respect. He will be missed but I am sure he won't be able to stay away too long from a club he has such fond memories of and has experienced great success not only playing for but also now managing.

Thanks stu and good luck to you in your new career move."