A new job with the Welsh Rugby Union means full-time rugby for Joe Gatt.
Barry RFC’s former youth captain is now working for the WRU as a rugby development apprentice, as well as coaching the Vale Schools under-16s backs.
Gatt (18), who captained the Vale Schools under-16s in 2020-21, followed that up as an apprentice coach with the squad, earning coaching badges - and among his charges in the Vale squad this season are seven players from Barry.
“Barry’s always had quite a few players in the under-16s squads,” said Gatt. “It’s good for the club, good for its reputation, and it’s a different level of rugby for the players, who will be playing against opponents they would not normally meet, and more of a higher standard."
“It’s an opportunity for the players to move up into regional age grade rugby, and potentially even the national squad.”
Former Barry hooker Ruben Cummings , who now plays for Hartpury and Gloucester, and won Wales under-18 caps, followed that route.
Working with the Vale squad takes a lot of time and effort - and apart from training twice a week at Barry’s Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, which hosts home Dewar Shield fixtures, the squad plays matches all over Wales.
Vale Schools have introduced an Emerging Player Programme this season, which allows players a year younger to join the under-16 squad for training, but not be selected for the team.
Gatt’s new full-time job with the WRU also involves working with schools. “Hopefully I can work my way up the ranks, and see where it takes me.”
It also meant giving up working with his father Joe Snr. “He was quite encouraging. He wants the best for me, and knows coaching is my passion, so he said ‘go for it’.”
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