Jones is a rugby strength and conditioning coach who has worked with the elite of the game. Jones has been employed by the Crusaders (Super XV competition), New Zealand All Blacks, and the Australian Wallabies rugby teams over the last decade. He has worked in the sports physical performance conditioning and fitness industries since 1978 and has worked in various professional sports (basketball, rugby league, and rugby union) across three countries (New Zealand, Australia, and Japan).
The evening was an informal occasion where the attendees who were a mixture of Ulster Rugby Fitness Development Officers, Academy Strength and Conditioning Staff and Ulster Rugby Fitness Development Volunteers, had the opportunity to ask Ashley about his experiences and philosophies with regard to preparing and developing rugby players.
Jones who was due to conduct a workshop in conjunction Mick McGurn in Queen's University on the 21st June and agreed to come and meet the Ulster Rugby Staff and Volunteers, which was much appreciated as he had just flown in from New Zealand a few hours before.
Chris Shields, Ulster Rugby Fitness Development + Education Officer said about the event. 'It was a fantastic educational opportunity for our staff and volunteers to engage with a coach who has so much knowledge and experience. Ashley was very open and honest and was more than generous with the information that he provided. We have had great feedback from all who attended and I would like to thank Ashley for his time.'
Ulster Rugby would like to thank MC Sport for organising the event, which was supported by DCAL under the 'Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport' programme.