Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach
Lead Sports Therapist
Lead Sports Massage 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.
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Sports Massage Therapist
Alongside coaching at SDR Rehab UK I am a strength and conditioning coach for a running team in Cardiff and I am working on my PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University. I completed my undergraduate degree at Bath University in Sport and Exercise Science. During my time at Bath, I worked with the WRU for a year as a Sports Scientist for the Dragons RFC. I then went on to complete a Strength and Conditioning masters at Cardiff Metropolitan University while working for Welsh Triathlon as a Strength and Conditioning intern. Now I am currently working on my PhD (I know, I am absolutely crazy) which is looking at velocity-based training and the effect of the menstrual cycle on strength.
I was brought up in Pembrokeshire where I started Olympic weightlifting during secondary school and have LOVED it ever since! My Dad has taught me everything I know about weightlifting and this is where my passion for strength and conditioning began. Alongside weightlifting I enjoy going on hikes with friends! As I grew up by the seaside I always love going to the beach, picking seashells and attempting to surf as long as the waves aren’t too big! To relax and unwind I really enjoy playing chess (although I am not very good),colouring in and baking tasty treats. My favourite films are Lion King 2, Racing Stripes and near enough every Disney film. I am the biggest chatterbox in the world and will chat to anyone about anything but, most importantly, I give the biggest and bestest hugs!
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Sports Massage Therapist
My name is Niall Kelly I am an ex-soldier having served an operational tour of Afghanistan in 2010 - 2011. After leaving the military I turned to a life of fitness coaching. After qualifying as a personal trainer I was fortunate enough to do an apprenticeship at a strength and conditioning gym the Celtic academy which is where I first met the SDR team. During my time at the Celtic Academy, I was fortunate enough to be involved in a number of junior coaching programs working with children of all ages.
After my apprenticeship ended I worked as a personal trainer. After a number of years developing my coaching style, I progressed onto becoming a sports massage therapist to increase my knowledge and understanding of the human body and how it works.
I have been lucky enough to work with a varied number of athletes in different disciplines that have all competed at a professional level and have represented their country at either the Olympics or international competitions.
When I’m not coaching or doing sports massage, I like to do bouldering and cycling or relax in my caravan with my family.
Sports Therapist
Sport Massage Therapist
Over the course of my master’s degree, I have developed a skillset in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and the general population alike. Importantly, with the ability to interpret the latest research and integrate it into an evidence-based practice. As part of my work experience at the end of my degree, I got the chance to learn from Rhiannon at SDR Rehab and have worked there since. That opportunity helped develop my coaching communication skills with a paediatric population. It has also been a privilege to see the development of so many children, across a wide range of the gross motor function classification system, achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. All of this can only be achieved through the work of a multidisciplinary staff and, more importantly, the forever-humbling hard work that these kids continue to show in their training.
