Page 11 - GRFC_NEWS_AUTUMN_2017

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Coach Gordon Snape looks forward to the new season...
GWERNYFED RFC
LADIES SECTION
It’s a new season and a new division. After a year in the Championship, the Ladies return to an enlarged Premiership of eight clubs as Division 1 champions. The title decider came down to the final match of the season, having to play top of the table Pen y Banc away from home. The Green army ran up a twenty point margin winning 37 – 17.
As always players retire or move, so this season we have had to acknowledge the exploits of Katie Roby and Sally Windsor in the back row and wish them well in their future endeavours. Saying that we have some new faces, Beth Chancellor, from Croesyceiliog, Clara Stephens back from New Zealand and Megan Vidal from over Offa’s dyke and the mercurial Bronnie Jones.
Gwernyfed is a hub for running rugby, and with a positive social events and activities the team has drawn players from as far afield as Builth Wells to Newport, without these the team would be diminished on and off the field.
This season Pre-season training is being built around to develop the ladies a game plan that will allow ”them to compete in the Premiership and hone their skills towards the next level.
Whatever the season brings, the ladies will perform to their best with steely resolve and always play with that Mid Walian determination that has been built on the correct ethos over the generations.
Stick to your guns girls, play with pride,
Hit it up the middle then spin the ball out wide,
Standing at the playing field, taking on the best,
Proud to be from Talgarth with three Cockerels on our chest.
JUNIOR GIRLS
Girls aged from 6 through to 15 trained
and played rugby for the Red Kites throughout the 2017 Cluster season and Festivals of rugby across the Blues region showcased the girls’ skills and abilities throughout the summer. The Festival hosted by the Red Kites at Gwernyfed RFC was a particular success again thanks to the volunteer helpers, coaches, referees and first aiders.
The success of the Cluster is demonstrated through the numbers of girls registered which is almost at 100. The schools’ Rugby Hub Officers have played a key role in developing girls rugby across the area and the Red Kites and Gwernyfed RFC have worked closely with the Welsh Rugby Union to secure a rugby officer position in Gwernyfed HS. The Kites’ second season was rounded off with an awards presentation evening at Gwernyfed RFC attended by Ambassador to the Red Kites and captain of the Wales womens’ rugby team Carys Phillips to present each of the Kites with their trophy and with the coaches’ awards. As their Ambassador, Carys who has 36 Welsh caps, 11 as captain has followed and supported the Kites throughout the season, joining them at training sessions and watching them play at festivals. During the evening she presented the Red Kites with her World Cup playing shirt and congratulated the girls on the progress they have made. She encouraged them to carry on training, playing and enjoying the sport as they all have the potential to play for their nation in the future. Grateful thanks go to Gwernyfed RFC for hosting the Cluster throughout and to local businesses for their support through advertising in the 2017 programme: Likes Landrover Hay on Wye, Head Quarters Hair Salon, Terry Sheep Dickson, Select Nutrition, The Malthouse, Window Wizard, RMJ Homes, Christ College, The Felin Fach Griffin, Beacons Farm Shop, Owen Sports, The Old Railway Line, Touchdown Design. The support of Nicola Jones and Sport Powys towards the initiative has been invaluable. Rugby for the U15 and U18 Red Kites girls continues through the winter with training taking place at Trefecca Road on Friday evenings at 6.30pm. New players and helpers are welcome and if you are interested in girls’ rugby, the Cluster season for all age groups will kick off again in Spring 2018. For more information please get in touch with Ceri Morgan, Red Kites Chairman and Rugby Coordinator, cerimorgan50@gmail.com.
Ceri Morgan Red Kites Rugby Coordinator.
AUTUMN 2017