Robert Phillips has been appointed as head coach of Narberth Rugby Club and will succeed Keith Eaton who has resigned because of his business commitments.
Apart from a brief spell with Laugharne Youth team, Rob Phillips played all his rugby at Narberth and in his words he has played "everywhere in the pack except hooker."
An experienced level three WRU coach, during the 1996/97 season Phillips cut his teeth coaching Narberth Athletic and remained with the Athletic team until he joined Keith Eaton's coaching team at the start of the 2001/2002 season.
During his time at the helm, the Athletic team collected four consecutive Pembrokeshire Junior Union Knockout Cups as well as three Pembrokeshire Junior Union Championships.
Obviously delighted at the appointment, Phillips said: "Firstly a word of thanks to Keith Eaton for all of the work he has done at Narberth and for letting me have the opportunity to join his coaching team.
Continuing he said: "It has been a pleasure to work with Keith. I am indebted to him for giving me the opportunity two-and-a half-years ago of working with the first team squad, an experience which will hold me in good stead for the challenges ahead. We were fortunate to have Jon Dodd join the coaching team at the beginning of this season as first team coach. He has made a valuable contribution to the success of the side and I look forward to continuing our work together, along with Athletic team coach Jon Chinn and Bob Simons and his team of development coaches.
"We have a talented squad at our disposal, which has yet to reach its full potential as the majority of the players are under 25-years-old. It is therefore our ambition to push the current front runners in the division hard for the remainder of the season, while putting into place the foundations from which we can continue to develop in the future.
"It is a very exciting time to be involved with Pembrokeshire rugby. The area has wholeheartedly bought into the principle of the 'Scarlets Partnership' with our partner clubs of Cardigan, Haverfordwest and Tenby. We are working together with a level of co-operation which has become a model for the rest of Welsh rugby.
"We are also hoping to employ a conditioning coach. This appointment will be made together with the Scarlets, the successful candidate will have to meet the criteria laid down by the regional management. We see this appointment as being essential to ensure that the young players who are currently with us or are intending to join us will have the highest level of technical support that will equip them for progressing their rugby careers.The conditioning coach will also be a valuable resource that will be available to all our partner clubs in the area."
Concluding, he said: "The county has always punched well beyond its weight when it comes to producing exceptional rugby players.
"This continues today with the likes of Johnny Thomas, Tal Selly, Sean James and David Maddocks who have all played regional rugby this season. One of my aims is to create the environment where we can continue to develop players of this calibre by providing the stepping stone for young local talent to progress into the regional game."
In announcing the appointment of Rob Phillips, club secretary Tony Jones said: "As soon as Keith made his decision, we had no hesitation in asking Rob to take over the reins with immediate effect. Since becoming part of the first team set-up, he has impressed astute observers of the game with his coaching credentials and ability, as well as establishing an empathy with the players.
"We would like to express our appreciation to Keith Eaton who has done a terrific job for the club as we are now one of the top 20 clubs in Wales.
"The club accepted his resignation with regret, but recognised the increasing workload of his other commitments. Keith will continue assisting the club where his work commitments allow with matters in connection with the Scarlets' Pyramid and will also give general voluntary assistance in the administration of the club."