Dimond returns to Sully Sports

Saturday, 17 May 2025 13:32

By Ken Watkins

John Dimond is going back to where his rugby journey began some 36 years ago, when he takes over as head coach of rugby at Sully Sports, “the club where I laced up my first pair of boots”.

Dimond (53) left Barry RFC on a high at the end of the 2024-25 season, where as youth head coach, he led his team to victory over Gorseinon in the WRU Youth Plate final - the first team in the club’s 137-year history to become national champions.

The former Malta international, who featured in World Cup qualifiers for the country in 2003 and 2007 and includes playing for Glamorgan Wanderers and Taffs Well on his CV, is looking forward to the new challenge after more than 20 years at Barry as a player and coach.

Sully Sports, or Barry Plastics as they were previously known, “are not a sleeping giant, but I’m aiming to raise another Vale of Glamorgan team and create a force where people will start to notice where they are again. A long time ago, when I played there, they were quite a force.”

He joined Barry Plastics at 17 and was captain by the age of 20, playing there until he was 24. “Going back there lets me thank them for helping me achieve what I’ve achieved,” said Dimond. “I started there, and always thought I’d go back, although I didn’t know when. It’s like going back home.”

Things have been falling into place at Sully Sports over the last few months. A number of former players have been in contact and will be sponsoring the club, and new kit is being supplied and sponsored.

Since the news of his departure from Barry began to circulate, Dimond has been contacted by several players who are interested in joining the new venture. And his contacts with other, more senior clubs, opens up the possibility of permit players when needed.

“I’m anticipating an influx of players over there,” said Dimond, who in the longer term, aims to run two teams and has his sights set firmly on both league promotion and Divisional Cup success.

Currently, Sully Sports are in Division Five in the pyramid, but possible league restructuring could see the club move up to Division Four. He also plans to liaise with the WRU to eventually set up age grade rugby.

When talks over a possible new post at Barry ended without agreement, Dimond came close to resigning from the club. But as his team progressed in the Youth Plate, he stayed in post. And the memories of a near miss two years earlier, a semi-final defeat in the Cup competition, were erased.

And as news of his departure spread, Dimond was taken by surprise at the tributes.

"I never realised so many people would tell me what they thought of me. I’m absolutely blown away by the amount of support, the amount of nice words, not only at the club but also from outside."

So he leaves the Bombers on a high and the new venture at Sully Sports starts on Wednesday 18th June when pre-season training gets under way.

“Anybody interested in turning up for training, wanting to be part of it, on or off the field, or looking for a new challenge, can contact me on 07989 425885,” said Dimond. “Things are in place, everything’s buzzing over there. I’m really looking forward to it.”