Dylan’s journey with Dallaglio RugbyWorks is a testament to the power of mentorship and the positive impact of sport.
Dylan first engaged with Dallaglio RugbyWorks while he was serving a sentence at HMP & YOI Parc in Bridgend. The charity’s work in the prison estate aims to use rugby to improve participants’ physical and mental health and wellbeing and equip them with life skills to prepare them for release into the community. Dylan’s natural love for rugby meant that he engaged exceptionally well with the programme, demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm.
As Dylan’s release date approached, he expressed a strong interest in continuing his involvement with RugbyWorks. With support from RugbyWorks’ Development Manager Dan Ley and HMP Parc’s Communities, Partnerships and Enrichment Manager Jamie Williams, Dylan applied for a coaching role, passing his interview with flying colours.
While still serving his sentence, Dylan was granted Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) to deliver a speech at a RugbyWorks event, providing him with an opportunity to share his story and inspire young people facing similar challenges. Upon his release, he seamlessly transitioned into the role of an assistant coach with RugbyWorks, quickly becoming an invaluable member of the team.
Dylan’s enthusiasm and ability to connect with young people have been instrumental in his success as a coach. He has worked diligently to expand his skill set, enabling him to effectively lead coaching sessions, deliver workshops, and accurately record data. Beyond his coaching duties, Dylan has also taken on a voluntary role at Parc Prison as a mentor which has seen him delivering workshops, engaging with incarcerated young people and using his personal experiences to deter them from a path leading back to the justice system.
Dylan is highly respected by the whole RugbyWorks team, who describe him as an inspiration who is always happy to use his own experiences to benefit others and who has developed into a competent and dedicated sports coach. Jamie at HMP Parc continues to seek ways to involve him in their initiatives, while his transformation has also drawn praise from external partners including Swansea Youth Offending Team.
Dylan’s coaching journey showcases resilience, dedication, and the ability to inspire others through lived experience and is a powerful example of the power of sport and physical activity to drive lasting change.
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