Page 4 - GRFC NEWS

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A SEASON TO BE PROUD OF...
Gwernyfed RFC’s Ladies XV Captain Bronnie Jones
looks back on a successful season and looks forward to the next...
The 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.
As always, the Ladies season had a number of highs and lows, but all in all the squad couldn't 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
commitment regardless. There have been a number of memorable performances that will go down in Ladies history and we look forward to making even more!
This season see's 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.
Bronnie Jones returns as captain, with Lucy Deacon and Georgia Williams cementing themselves in the vice captaincy roles.
As 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.
Our 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!
Bronnie Jones
Ladies Captain
Red Kites Girls Rugby Lead Ceri Morgan looks back on another successful season and looks forward to the next...
RED KITES STILL FLYING HIGH...
Red Kites Female Rugby Hub bounced back in 2022 following the enforced break due to covid, and we’ve been pleased with the representation across the age groups of around 80 girls.
We 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.
We 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.
We enjoyed a successful Sponsors’ 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.
It 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.
Fern Cumine played for Cardiff Rugby under 18s and represented Wales under 18s in this year’s Six Nations Festival in Scotland – demonstrating the girls’ rugby pathway in South Powys is working.
Bronnie Jones has been key to the development of girls’ 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.
Our 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.
As a regional hub for girls’ 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.
Girls train on Friday evenings at the Brian Jones Memorial Fields from 6pm with games and festivals usually on Sundays – come along and see them in action.
Ceri Morgan
Red Kites Hub Lead.
GRFC News