Brecon RFC

63 The Watton
Brecon
Powys
LD3 7EL

Tel: 01874 624848
Fax: 01874 624381
contact@breconrfc.co.uk

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Brecon Mini Tournament - the leading Mini Rugby Tournament in Wales

Brecon Mini Rugby Tournament 2011

“Looking to the Future”

As I stand on the verge of retirement from the office of Chair of Rugby at Brecon RFC it is perhaps time to reflect on what has been achieved and to look forward to a bright future. During my twelve years of office perhaps the greatest achievement has been the progress made by the Mini and Junior section of the club. In later years, under the guidance of Mini/Junior Chairman, Paul Amphlett, secretary, Neil Bragg and a hard working committee, the profile of the section within the club, the Blues Region and Wales has been enhanced considerably. When the Mini/Junior group was first formed the motivation was to offer rugby to young players from within the community in order to develop home grown talent and replace the rugby which was being lost at school level. That ambition has been achieved and to some extent has been exceeded way beyond the dreams of the original pioneers of Mini/Junior rugby at the club.

Since the inception of the Mini Tournament, some six years ago, significant developments have taken place. The Easter Brecon Tournament has become one of the highlights of the Mini Calendar in South Wales. This year 36 teams will participate and there is no doubting that the level of competition and the quality of the play will be far superior to that on view in the early tournaments. Yet in spite of this increased level of competition the level of sporting behaviour and respect for officials and opponents has been maintained in the best traditions of the game.

For Brecon RFC also there has been a significant change. The success of the Mini/Junior has been visible and quantifiable. The number of youngsters who regularly take part continues to grow and the success that individuals and teams have had continues to be more and more impressive. This season our under 10 team are unbeaten and became the first Heart of Wales team to win the Blues Regional Cup. Our under 15’s play in the final of the Heart of Wales Cup on May15th after defeating a strong Merthyr team in the Semi Final and our under 16’s just lost out in the semi final. Players who started playing rugby with our minis, Sam Hobbs, Lewis Smout, and Darren Harris have gone on the represent Wales at under 20, 18 and 16 and are now linked with Cardiff Blues or its academy. For three consecutive years the club has seen a player capped for East Wales in the annual East v West Under 11 match. This year Callun James was nominated as man of the match and follows Llewelyn Stephens, 2010 and Alex Ryan 2009. This success has put demands on the cup for enhanced facilities and this season the club has responded with the erection of floodlighting at Parc de Pugh and the development of a weights room at the club.

So what of the future? I am sure that the foundations laid by the many volunteers who run the Mini and Junior teams of the clubs participating today will provide the foundation for any future local and national success. The enthusiasm, skill, and attitude of these young players are being channelled in the right direction. The game is enjoyable to play and attractive to watch and that has to be the criteria that the whole of the rugby community should embrace for the future. Although I will not be there in an official capacity at next year’s Brecon Tournament I will be there to help, if I can, and participate in what is a magnificent exhibition of rugby. To everyone taking part, be they players, supporters, coaches or officials, I trust that you all will have an outstanding day and enjoy our facilities and organisation in the company of youngsters, some of whom will surely move on to become the future greats of International rugby.

Ron Rowsell (Chair Brecon Rugby Committee)

Brecon RFC Mini Rugby Tournament is Sponsored by

www.christcollegebrecon.com

April 2011

“The organisation could not be faulted, the level of rugby and sportsmanship was superb and it was well worth the long journey from West Wales to be part of this outstanding tournament. We will be back again next year.” This was the assessment and ringing endorsement of Brecon RFC’s annual Mini Rugby Tournament as perceived by the coach of Crymych under 10 team. He and his young players joined, for the first time, the Easter pilgrimage of young, talented and enthusiastic rugby players to Parc de Pugh, Brecon.

The Tournament which has grown from its early years is now recognised as one of the outstanding such Tournaments in Wales. Almost 40 teams entered and the standard of play throughout the day was of the highest order. Yet amidst the glittering array of talent the local teams shone through. Builth Wells reached the semi-final of the under 11 group where they narrowly lost to the host team Brecon. Brecon in turn were beaten in the final by Porthcawl, the outstanding team in the age group.

Gwernyfed reached the final of the under 8 tag competition and only lost in extra time to a strong Llansihen team. In the under 9 group, Gwernyfed were more successful. Having been beaten by Brecon in the pool stages they turned the tables on their near rivals in a close and exciting final.

While the level of play in all competitions was of the highest standard the under 10 group threw up a particularly enthralling encounter. The final of the under 10 group was played between the hosts, Brecon, and Pontypridd. Both teams reached the final unbeaten not just in this competition but in all matches this season. They had faced one another once before in the semi-final of the Blues Cup. That match ended in a draw with Brecon progressing to the final by virtue of being the away team. This time something had to give. As expected the game was very tight with both teams displaying great skills both in attack and defence. However, as the match wore on Brecon began to take control and their first try was well deserved. Their second, in the final play of the game, capped what has been a truly remarkable season which has seen Brecon under 10 team emerge as Lucton and Brecon Tournament winners as well as being crowned Blues Champions.

The final presentation at the awards ceremony was graced by local heroes Sam Hobbs, Lewis Smout and Darren Harris. All three started playing rugby with Brecon minis and all three have gained Welsh age group caps. They are outstanding rugby prospects and great ambassadors for the sport and Brecon RFC.

Paul Amphlett, the tournament organiser, reflected on the day, “We achieved all our goals today. In glorious weather every young player was given the opportunity to display his or her talent to the full in meaningful but sporting competition. I would like to thank all the members of Brecon RFC and all the sponsors who have supported me and our Tournament. A lot of commitment has been required to plan prepare and stage the event but at the end of the day it has all been well worth the effort.”

Final Results 2011