Former Wales international Ashley Beck has been confirmed as the head coach for Brython Thunder for the new expanded 2024-25 Celtic Challenge tournament.
Thunder and Gwalia Lightning will be the Welsh representatives in the home and away Celtic Challenge tournament, taking on teams from Ireland (Clover and Wolfhounds) and Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh).
The Celtic Challenge, now in its third season, will kick off at the end of December and runs until March and every team will play each other on a home and away basis.
Beck, who has been appointed Wales Women’s U20s Attack coach and played more than 100 games for the Ospreys, led the Thunder squad last season, a squad that included Wales stars Alex Callender, the now retired Sioned Harries and Natalia John.
He said: “Working with established international players was a really enjoyable experience and to see how invested they were in the squad underlined how important the Celtic Challenge is as a tournament.
“We grew into the competition as a squad and, if we are honest, the tournament probably finished just as we were getting started as a team and establishing our playing combinations and style of play.
“The opportunity to play home and away in the Celtic Challenge is a real challenge but one I know all the players will relish. The chance to test yourself against the best in Wales, Ireland and Scotland is a mouthwatering prospect.”