Cardiff Arms Park favourite Dan Baugh today announced that he will be retiring from playing rugby and will be taking up a full time post with the region as an Assistant Conditioning Coach.
Having played over 100 games for Cardiff RFC and the Cardiff Blues, Dan Baugh last played for the Blues against Edinburgh in May 2004. He suffered a stress fracture in his left-foot which ruled him out for the whole of last season.
The 31 year old Canadian back-rower joined Cardiff in late 1998 and soon became a cult hero with the Arms Park faithful who took to his aggressive tackling and rampaging style of play such as the outstanding displays in Heineken Cup matches against Saracens in 2000 both at Vicarage Road and the Arms Park.
A graduate of the Pacific Sport Under-23 program, 1998 also saw him win his first cap for Canada when they played Japan in Tokyo. A regular member of the Canadian team, Dan won 29 caps for his country and played in all Canada's World Cup matches in 1999.
Dan Baugh said Obviously its disappointing that I wont be playing again but having discussed with Dai what is best for the squad and best for me I am delighted to still be involved with the coaching side. It is an area that I have been interested in and I have already taken my Level 2 Coaching Badge and studying for my Level 3. I am also studying for an MSCC/MA in Coaching Science at UWIC which is a lot of hard work but very enjoyable. I will always have fond memories of playing for Cardiff and the Blues especially at the Arms Park.
David Young, Cardiff Blues Director of Coaching added.
Dan has been a catalyst for some excellent performances over the years at the Arms Park and always gave it his all on the pitch. He played the game the way it should be played, hard but fair, and he became a hero to the fans. Injuries take their toll on any sportsman and especially the way Dan plays. We are fortunate that he can bring his experience as a player to the field of coaching and he has taken to it with all the enthusiasm he had as a player.