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their commitment to the players and coaches by providing us with more ‘fit for purpose’ training equipment that I am sure the players will soon learn to hate, but for the right reasons! The Seniors, Athletic and Youth players will all be training together with an emphasis being placed on long-term player development.
Let me close this report by telling you something that most of you will already know, but I wish to reiterate the point. The Gwernyfed players are a damn good group of men, that I and all of the other coaches and management thoroughly enjoy working with. There are no egos, no backstabbing, no moaning in training, superb group cohesion and I for one am proud to be associated with them. It is very rare to see teams with such a high regard for each other, a tight group of players who are so close on and off the field. In fact, on numerous occasions’ this season I saw perplexed doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who had never witnessed someone bleeding Green, Black and White before!
‘Train hard, win easy’
Yours in rugby,
Chay Billen
Head Coach, GRFC.
for all the up-to-date news go to
www.gwernyfedrfc.co.uk
Gwernyfed RFC’s Mini Section report from Chairman Mark Eckley...
OUR FUTURE...
MINI & JUNIOR SECTION
The Mini and Junior section have not been around that long, however, whilst carrying out research for the GRFC 50th Anniversary book, it has come to light that it was first established in 1987, which makes us 28 years old.
Over the last 10 years, playing numbers have dramatically increased with the Club now having over 200 registered players; running 10 sides from U7s right through to U16s. Each age group has qualified coaches, referees and first aiders who are all parents that give up their valuable time to enable the children to experience this fantastic game.
Through the season all age groups play two to three games a month, against local sides and sides from afar. In fact, last November, the Mini Section travelled to the London Welsh Club to play their Mini Section. They also planned to play London Wasps and Saracens but, due to inclement weather, they ended up just playing the one game. Later in the season however, London Wasps U8s travelled up the M4 to play our own U8 warriors. These are the sort of links that we are forging within the Mini and Junior section.
The junior teams compete in the Cardiff Blues Cup and have reached the final, semi finals and quarter finals in the last few years; a feat that we are all very proud of. Tournaments are entered throughout the season at Aberdare, Llanidloes, Monmouth, Brecon and over the border at Luctonians and the success of our teams can be seen by the bulging trophy cabinet in the clubhouse.
As players progress through the age groups, they get the opportunity to play representative rugby. At U11 level, several players from Gwernyfed have represented South Powys and then gone on to be selected for East Wales. We have also had players selected for the Cardiff Blues and Scarlets Regions at U16 level - which is a testament to our club.
In September, the Mini Section hosted our first tournament, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Club. On a warm sunny day, it proved to be a resounding success, with the young players putting on a great display of rugby, being competitive, yet showing good sportsmanship all around.
As a section, we are very grateful to the sponsorship we receive from individuals and local businesses, which allows us to purchase new playing kit, equipment and generally helps in its smooth running. This generosity is greatly appreciated and valued by all. You know who you are – thank you very much!
It would be remiss of me not to mention the concern we all feel over the threat of the closure of Gwernyfed High School. The school has strong links with local clubs especially our wonderful Gwernyfed Rugby Club. We all sincerely hope that work done by the teachers, pupils, school governors and local community members will enable our thriving school to stay open and those strong links with our rugby club remain for many years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, if any of you have driven by our pitches on a Thursday evening or a Sunday morning and noticed all the children training or playing rugby, I am sure you will agree it is a sight to behold. Whether it be an U7 child making a tag or an U16 player scoring the winning try, the look on their faces is what it’s all about. I can assure you the future of Gwernyfed Rugby Club is safe.
Mark Eckley
Chairman, GRFC Minis and Juniors.
SUMMER 2015