Page 4 - GRFC NEWS SUMMER 22

04\u000AA SEASON TO BE PROUD OF...\u000A Gwernyfed RFC\u2019s Ladies XV Captain Bronnie Jones\u000Alooks back on a successful season and looks forward to the next...\u000AThe first full season post-COVID saw a disrupted league and cup competition for Gwernyfed Ladies, but a season that the team can be proud of. The season saw the introduction of Aiden Luxton as head coach and numerous new players coming to the side.\u000AAs always, the Ladies season had a number of highs and lows, but all in all the squad couldn\u0027t be happier to be getting back to some normality following the pandemic. The team face a range of opponents, stretching as far as Whitland Ladies, but show outstanding\u000Acommitment regardless. There have been a number of memorable performances that will go down in Ladies history and we look forward to making even more!\u000AThis season see\u0027s Aiden returning to the coaching staff, whilst the team are also on the hunt for more coaches to come and support him. Players continue to be increasing in numbers and that is a credit to the Red Kites and all the hard work Ceri and Jan Morgan continue to put in to the girls hub, hosted at the club.\u000ABronnie Jones returns as captain, with Lucy Deacon and Georgia Williams cementing themselves in the vice captaincy roles.\u000AAs ever, the Gwernyfed Ladies are returning for the 22/23 season raring to go and are looking forward to the challenge ahead, with themselves competing in the WRU Championship once again.\u000AOur wealth of experience, combined with our new faces, make for an exciting season, with plenty of potential to be developed even further, watch this space!\u000ABronnie Jones\u000ALadies Captain\u000ARed Kites Girls Rugby Lead Ceri Morgan looks back on another successful season and looks forward to the next...\u000ARED KITES STILL FLYING HIGH...\u000ARed Kites Female Rugby Hub bounced back in 2022 following the enforced break due to covid, and we\u2019ve been pleased with the representation across the age groups of around 80 girls.\u000AWe worked closely with Matthew Harris at Macron Ebbw Vale to get new playing shirts for all age groups and have launched a range of leisurewear online at the Macron store.\u000AWe are extremely grateful for the financial support from our sponsors: Main sponsor - Beacons Farm Shop, Alpacamyboots, Headquarters hair salon, UC Feeds and Totally Raw and also to Neil Morris at Touchdown Design for his design contribution.\u000AWe enjoyed a successful Sponsors\u2019 Day recently when we entertained our sponsors at Gwernyfed RFC. Sponsors were presented with a Red Kites playing shirt and we witnessed a fantastic display of rugby by Gwernyfed- Ladies as they took on a strong Burryport side and the ladies won the game.\u000AIt is a pleasure to report that since we launched our hub in 2016 several Red Kites players have progressed to play for Gwernyfed Ladies. Els Watkins has represented the Midlands and plays for Worcester Warriors, Nell Powell progressed to Cardiff Rugby under 18s and Wales under 18 squad.\u000AFern Cumine played for Cardiff Rugby under 18s and represented Wales under 18s in this year\u2019s Six Nations Festival in Scotland \u2013 demonstrating the girls\u2019 rugby pathway in South Powys is working.\u000ABronnie Jones has been key to the development of girls\u2019 rugby in South Powys and we wish her well in her new role with Cardiff rugby and we are delighted to be working with Ryan Meredith as he takes on the role as Cardiff community hub officer.\u000AOur parental support (some have trained to become coaches or taken on active roles within our structure) has been vital in the continued success of the Red Kites and thanks must also be extended to Gwernyfed RFC as our host club for use of the pitches and facilities.\u000AAs a regional hub for girls\u2019 rugby we have plenty of challenges to face in the future and look forward to the scheduled hub reviews to discuss progress and what improvements can be made for the future.\u000AGirls train on Friday evenings at the Brian Jones Memorial Fields from 6pm with games and festivals usually on Sundays \u2013 come along and see them in action.\u000ACeri Morgan\u000ARed Kites Hub Lead.\u000A GRFC News\u000A