Brecon RFC

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Brecon
Powys
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Brecon Mini Tournament - the leading Mini Rugby Tournament in Wales

Brecon Mini Rugby Tournament 2010

“All Roads Lead to Parc de Pugh”

For hundreds of young rugby players, families and friends, Easter Monday now means a pilgrimage to Brecon, with all roads leading to Parc de Pugh. Brecon RFC’s Mini Rugby Tournament has established itself as the most popular such event in South Wales. Its reputation and success has been built on the hard work of its founders and present organisers. As a Rugby Club we are proud of what has been achieved.

Looking back at a number of outstanding tournaments it is easy to why this year again there is a great demand for places. The major critical ingredient is the amazing individual skills and team play displayed by every participating club. Side steps, dummies, wonderfully timed passes and crunching tackles will undoubtedly be witnessed once again as the youngsters produce a level of enthusiasm and brand of entertainment that would be difficult to match at any level. It is, therefore, not surprising that sponsors have been willing to add their names to the event and have agreed to back Paul Amphlett and his team of organisers and officials. This year organisers are set to benefit from a new sponsorship deal as Christ College, Brecon has agreed a package to sponsor and support the tournament over the next three years. Announcing the package, Steve Maggs, Development Director at Christ College said: “We are delighted to be able to unveil Christ College as sponsors of what is considered to be the premier mini-rugby tournament in Wales. I’m so pleased to be bringing this welcome sponsorship and support package to Brecon RFC’s Mini-Rugby section. Many of our current pupils have played in this tournament and indeed continue to represent Brecon RFC in many of the different age groups and we look forward to building on this relationship.”

I am sure that Steve’s sentiments reflect those of all of the sponsors who are listed in this programme and of others who have no wish to be named. To all of them I offer my sincere thanks.

We are also grateful for the support we have received from the Cardiff Blues Region. In spite of the fact that geographically we are one of the remotest areas of the Region our links have continued to grow and develop. This afternoon Jamie Roberts will be joined by fellow international Deiniol Jones for the presentation ceremonies. The impression that these outstanding role models make cannot be overstated. Young players look up to them and strive to emulate their achievements. It is not by accident that Brecon RFC has started to make a big impression in the Blues Region. Sam Hobbs made his Heineken Cup debut this season while 18 year old Lewis Smout gained a place with the academy and Pontypridd. Darran Harris has added Under 18 Welsh caps to his under 16 collection while the East Wales Under 11 team included Alex Ryan last year and will this year include Llewelyn Stephens. With Andy Powell’s continued success on the International Stage, Brecon has a lot to be proud of.

There is one interesting aside which should be noted by our fantastic group of dedicated coaches. Sam, Darran and Llewelyn are props, Alex and Andy are back row forwards. Where are our backs? I am positive that this question will be answered as we compete with an array of talent from our visiting teams. Those teams, our guests, are the ones who pay us the biggest complement by travelling to Brecon every year. We wish them all and outstanding day where we provide the opportunity for them to display their potential and to ensure that the ultimate winner as always is the spirit sportsmanship within the great game of rugby.

Ron Rowsell (Chair Brecon Rugby Committee)

Brecon RFC Mini Rugby Tournament is Sponsored by

www.christcollegebrecon.com

April 2010

The annual Mini Rugby Tournament has now certainly come of age. This, the fifth successive Tournament, was undoubtedly the best to date. That in itself is a huge compliment as the success of previous Tournaments has led to acknowledgement that this now is the premier Mini rugby Tournament in Wales. Its success is based on the hard work and organisation of Paul Amphlett and his team, the facilities at Parc de Pugh and the quality and support of the teams and young players who enter the Tournament.

This year a total of 40 teams drawn from 11 different clubs graced the event. The quality of rugby has never been bettered nor has the competitiveness. Many games were very close affairs and the semi finalists had to work hard to earn their places after some very tight pool competitions. Yet throughout there was a spirit of sportsmanship without a single dispute. Just one red card and not a single yellow card was issued in a total of 52 matches. A great deal of credit must be directed towards the volunteer referees who did an outstanding job throughout the day. Their attitude towards the young players was fair and sympathetic and this helped to encourage the youngsters to give of their best in a wonderful display of rugby.

In a well earned celebration at Brecon RFC following the event, Paul Amphlett stated, “The support I have had from within the club and from the community of Brecon at large has been nothing but outstanding. Sponsors, both individuals and companies, have willingly backed us and with some “divine intervention” which turned the extended winter weather in our favour we were able to achieve all our goals.”

High quality teams from Pontypridd, Merthyr, Llanishen, Rhiwbina, Dowlais, Briton Ferry and Abertillery joined the more local contingent of Brecon, Gwernyfed, Builth Wells and Llandovery. One of the pleasing features, which showed the growing strength of Mid Wales rugby, was the fact that Brecon, Gwernyfed and Builth all featured in final matches. While some clubs were ultimately more successful than others there were no losers with every club and individual contributing to a wonderful day.

Deiniol Jones, of Cardiff Blues and Wales, who presented the trophies with local hero, Sam Hobbs, Cardiff Blues and Wales Under 20, commented, “I am delighted to be able to be part of a great rugby occasion. The skills displayed during the day by such young players were absolutely amazing.” A final word came from Mark Hopkins who represented the WRU as an observer. He stated in his report to the parent body, “As usual an excellent Tournament with superb organisation and a credit to Brecon RFC.

Final Results