Brecon RFC

63 The Watton
Brecon
Powys
LD3 7EL

Tel: 01874 624848
Fax: 01874 611719
contact@breconrfc.co.uk

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Club Newsletters

BRECON RFC NEWSLETTER May 2008

The season 2007/08 has been rather like the curates egg. In parts it has been very successful while from another standpoint it has been difficult. The successes definitely include the rebuilding and refurbishment of the Front Bar. We now have an excellent facility and at some point in the future we need to seriously look at the back bar in order to maximise and capitalise on the potential earnings from the club. That earning is essential. We cannot fulfil all our rugby commitments and ambitions without the income that we derive from the club.

The perception that the club is a drain on the club is far from the truth. Here we derive the core of our income and we need to ensure that it is a successful and vibrant facility, well supported by sponsors, players and members in order to regenerate the sort of income that was common only a few years ago. Such income allows us the opportunity to develop other rugby facilities which were identified as needs in a general survey of members early in the year. As a result of that survey we are seeking a grant and planning permission to erect floodlighting on the Parc de Pugh Ground but we will also have to find our share of the cost. In the present climate that share can only be raised through specific fundraising and we hope that everyone involved in the club will work with us to help to enable our plans to become a reality.

If we all show the same attitude as a number of our mini players on their presentation night then we will not fail. On hearing that the club needed money to erect floodlight they immediately stated a collection. By the end of the evening Will Prosser came to me with £20 and said, “Here you are Mr Rowsell this is for the floodlights.” I was honestly quite moved and impressed with their initiative and effort. Many thanks boys and girls.

Senior Rugby

The First XV did not have the easiest of seasons. Coaches Hefin Williams and Mark Doran had little success in the early stages of the season and when Mark resigned things looked pretty grim. Fortunately Martin Keylock stepped into the breach and together with Hefin things gradually turned around. On Dec 1st in atrocious conditions we recorded a crucial win and from there we began to turn things around. However, it was not until we beat Penarth at home on 29th March that we finally escaped from the relegation zone. By the end of the season we progressed to eighth in a league of twelve teams; winning 9 and losing 13 matches. With Hefin and Martin continuing as coaches next year, targets have already been set and there will be great disappointment if we cannot achieve a top four finish.

Our second XV played regularly and although they lost the majority of their games it was good to see that we could put competitive teams out on the park.

Thanks and congratulations should go to the players who committed themselves regularly and the number who made successful progress to the 1st XV.

One individual should receive a special mention. Gordon Davies (Tucker) returned to the fold as team manager and did a wonderful job. His, is hardly a glamorous position but his enthusiasm and work ethic is infectious and much of the positives this season are down to him.

Youth XV

The Youth XV have also had a difficult season. Coaches Brian Pritchard (Trigger) and Dan Paley have done their best with a young squad and limited numbers. Their problem was compounded when two of their most able members progressed into and held their own in the 1sr XV. Ewan Williams and Owen Morgan ware exciting prospects and earned themselves a big reputation with some man of the match performances at senior level. Their invaluable contribution to the first XV was at the expense of the Youth team which was shorn of their services for most of the season.

With many of the Youth Squad remaining and with the input of this year’s successful under 16 players the future looks bright. However, there will be one notable absentee. Dan Paley is retiring as youth coach after many years of great service and dedication. Dan will be missed and Tony Price (Tapper), who steps up as the new youth coach, will have a hard act to follow; although I am sure that the success he has enjoyed through the age groups will continue in his new position.

Junior Section

The Junior section of the club continues to go from strength to strength. This year has probably be one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history. Both the under 13’s and under 15’s reached the finals of the Heart of Wales Cup. Although neither side won they showed great courage, skill and ability. The under 13’s who have had a very successful season lost out to a very good Aberdare side by 20 points to 5. For along time they held Aberdare at 10 points to five and only in the closing stages did Aberdare pull away.

The under 15’s fought a momentous battle against the hosts Merthyr. In the end the game hinged on the final kick of the match, a penalty to Brecon. When Jake Newman just failed from 5 metres in from touch the final whistle sounded with Brecon just one point in arrears. There was obvious disappointment but when emotions finally subsided every player knew that they had contributed to a fantastic game of rugby between two excellent and well matched teams. They should be proud of their achievement and opponents can look out next season as this side continues to improve with every match.

Other teams within the Section also had outstanding seasons. The U14’s again won the Rugby Festival held in Colwyn Bay and returned with a cup which has already almost filled one of the Club’s new trophy cabinets. At under sixteen fewer games were played but the quality of the squad can be emphasised with four players making the Blues regional team and Lewis Smout going on to gain Welsh Caps in the Four Nations Tournament.

Mini Section

With such success at Junior level the Mini’s had a hard act to follow, but follow it they did and in some cases even surpassed their older counterparts in levels of achievement. The outstanding side was undoubtedly the under 10’s. They won the Brecon Mini Festival for the second year running and then went on to beat Merthyr 21 - 7 in the Heart of Wales Cup Final. The one blip that they experienced during the year was losing to Rhiwbina in the Luctonians festival Final.

The under 8’s also enjoyed success in the Pontypridd tag rugby Tournament where they emerged as Tournament winners. At this level the future of the club is in safe hands as the greatest dilemma for the coaches is who to choose from a very large squad of players.

While the Under 9’s, under 11’s and under 12’s failed to win any tournaments they all played with great skill and were a tribute to the club and their coaches.

Assuredly the future of the club is safe in the hands of Paul Amphlett (Chair of the Mini/Junior Section) and his dedicated team of coaches and supporters. On behalf of players, parents and the club as a whole I thank you and congratulate you on your success and your levels of dedication and commitment.