Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sport Therapist
Rhiannon spent her childhood years participating in track and field sports which contributed to her passion for sport performance and human movement, ultimately leading her into a career pathway. Initial appointments in the early days were linked to a number of local health and fitness studios where she gained a large following as a spin instructor and personal trainer. Following this, Rhiannon moved to a role at a Strength and Conditioning facility, Force Strength and Conditioning where she delivered individual and small-group Olympic weightlifting sessions for women. During these early years, Rhiannon pursued knowledge and skills within the sports and fitness industry, spanning over 11-years. This finally led Rhiannon to a Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning, which she completed during 2013 to 2016 at Cardiff Metropolitan university. During this time Rhiannon completed an internship delivering strength and conditioning, rehabilitation and Olympic weightlifting at The Celtic Academy. Rhiannon then took a full-time role at The Celtic Academy developing and delivering youth physical literacy programmes, principally in the areas of track and field and academy rugby. The role also combined the delivery of individual Olympic weightlifting sessions for sports persons of all levels and rehabilitation for children pre- and post- SDR surgery…….and so the current journey commenced.
In 2014 SDR Rehab UK was born under Rhiannon’s direction which has paved the way for future knowledge, experience and education. Rhiannon decided to throw all of her efforts into the business and gaining additional qualifications in rehabilitation, sport massage therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and, as if that wasn’t enough, Rhiannon completed a second Master of Science in Sport Therapy gaining a distinction to expand her knowledge and skill set in the provision of advanced therapy techniques for families and clients of SDR Rehab UK.
Rhiannon, like most the team, enjoys an active outdoors lifestyle. A childhood growing up on the beaches around South Wales has had a long lasting effect. Rhiannon now travels once a year to visit her father in Adelaide, on the south coast of Australia, where she spends a month running the beaches, stand-up paddle boarding, surf skiing, and visiting the beautiful coasts of South Australia. Additional year-round outdoor pursuits include cliff and coastal walking, mountain biking and time on her road bike. When Rhiannon’s not working, sunning it up down-under, or getting soaked and muddy in the Welsh hills, you will often find her chasing Olympic weightlifting PB’s in her converted home gym.
Lead Sport Massage Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach
Following a referral for Sports Massage to help with rehabilitation from an ongoing injury, Gary quickly discovered the benefits of Manual Therapy and wanting to know more, he embarked on the course.
Gary has worked at a number of clinics across South Wales treating everyone from the “achy” office worker to those competing in Elite level sports gaining a huge amount of experience along the way.
During his career he has been lucky enough to have worked with the New Zealand All Blacks, Australia, and Argentina during their Autumn international campaigns. He worked with the Italian rugby league team during the 2013 world cup. During the 2012 Olympic Games he provided sports massage to the Great Britain Basketball team and the Indian Paralympic Discus Team. More recently he has provided sports massage to the Southern Kings and the Toyota Cheetahs during their Pro 14 campaigns.
He is a great believer in constantly improving his skills and learning new techniques that can benefit his clients. He has completed training in advanced massage skills such a Soft Tissue Release, Myofascial Release techniques and trigger point therapy including Dry needling. He has also studied Osteopathic techniques such as articulation, mobilisation and muscle energy techniques. Always looking to diversify he recently completed the Lubas Sports Trauma Management course.
Away from the clinic Gary also teaches Anatomy and Clinical Assessment to students of the HND Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage (SCRaM) for Cardiff Metropolitan University and Vale College.
Gary has studied martial arts for over 20 years, mainly practicing Karate and Thai Boxing. Having a keen interest in Olympic lifting and Strength and conditioning, Gary has coached in both disciplines. When Gary is not in clinic, teaching, or training, you can often find him hiking up a mountain with his family or creating culinary dishes at home.
Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sport Massage Therapist
Jade has worked with a wide range of clients, from general population, disability populations, youths in sport, physiotherapy referrals and athletes alike. She completed her Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning at Cardiff Metropolitan University, graduating in 2020. During this time Jade completed an internship with Swim Wales, coaching the Elite Development Squad based in Swansea. This experience allowed her to expand her knowledge and coaching application through developing performance-based strength and conditioning programmes for high performing youth athletes.
Jade has been the S&C Coach for the Wales Deaf Men’s team since 2018. Her role with the team involves physical preparedness for games and programming the players’ training across the season. Jade is responsible for gym and pitch training, injury prevention and the integral team warm-ups before matches. The team are current World Champions in the World Deaf Rugby Sevens series and have competed across the world. Their most recent trip was to Norway, playing against the national team. Every season Wales Deaf competes in three international test matches against old rivals England Deaf, and 2021 will see the World Cup being held in Tokyo.
Jade plays competitive rugby and is a member of the recently formed Wales Deaf Women's Team, earning her first cap playing against England Deaf in March 2020. Playing at flanker or in the second row, she is always where the action is and her focus is now on the 2021 Tokyo World Cup. Having grown up in the countryside, Jade has a passion for animals and has ridden horses since she was a young child. Always happiest outdoors, Jade has also started learning how to surf and would love to travel to tropical locations to test out the waves. She can normally be found either walking her dog up the welsh mountains or on the stunning beaches in the Gower.
