NORTH WALES RUGBY Rygbi Gogledd Cymru ISSUE 3 - 21 AUGUST - SEASON 2011-2012 No Canadian involvement in 2011 and Division One East in 2012-13 The Welsh Rugby Union has voted to include the North Wales Regional Development team RGC 1404 in SWALEC Division One East for the 2012/13 season. The decision is part of a review of the North Wales development project undertaken in order to ensure there is a sustainable model for the further development of rugby in north Wales. The side will continue to play meaningful friendly fixtures this coming season, including matches against Principality Premiership clubs and other arranged fixtures. As part of the further development of north Wales players, the following measures have been agreed: - The WRU North Wales Academy will continue to be appropriately resourced and two more District Under 15 squads from the Region will be established, and will compete in the Dewar Shield tournament. This will increase the critical mass of players in north Wales vying for selection into the WRU North Wales academy. North Wales will continue to participate in the Regional Age Grade Championship at Under 16 and Under 18 level and further fixtures will be arranged for North Wales academy players. - A General Manager for the RGC 1404 project will be appointed to drive the project forward and maximise commercial opportunities available within north Wales and provide a key link between the major stakeholders – the WRU, the North Wales Rugby Council and Conwy County Borough Council. - There will be no Canadian involvement in the side for the forthcoming season. This situation will be reviewed during the coming season. - The Welsh Rugby Union will provide further support to Conwy County Borough Council in the staging of events and the generation of rugby in the area. - The fixed term contracts of the RGC 1404 coaching team have come to an end and an announcement will be made over the coming months regarding appointments for the new season. Continued overleaf Dai Davies, North Wales Rugby Council Chairman (pictured above) said, “The North Wales Rugby Council, in conjunction with the WRU Executive believe the decision to include RGC 1404 in SWALEC Division One East for season 2012/13 will provide a new impetus for north Wales rugby, and a channel for players coming through the WRU North Wales Academy.’’ Cllr Graham Rees, Cabinet Member, Conwy County Borough Council said: “We’ve been looking forward to hearing this news, it’s an exciting opportunity for the region’s players and I hope it will help to retain these talented young people in North Wales.”
Transcript
NORTH WALES RUGBY
Rygbi Gogledd Cymru
ISSUE 3 - 21 AUGUST - SEASON 2011-2012
No Canadian involvement in 2011 and Division One East in 2012-13The Welsh Rugby Union has voted to include the North Wales Regional Development team RGC 1404 in SWALEC Division One East for the 2012/13 season.
The decision is part of a review of the North Wales development project undertaken in order to ensure there is a sustainable model for the further development of rugby in north Wales.
The side will continue to play meaningful friendly fixtures this coming season, including matches against Principality Premiership clubs and other arranged fixtures.
As part of the further development of north Wales players, the following measures have been agreed:
- The WRU North Wales Academy will continue to be appropriately resourced and two more District Under 15 squads from the Region will be established, and will compete in the Dewar Shield tournament. This will increase the critical mass of players in north Wales vying for selection into the WRU North Wales academy. North Wales will continue to participate in the Regional Age Grade Championship at Under 16 and Under 18 level and further fixtures will be arranged for North Wales academy players.
- A General Manager for the RGC 1404 project will be appointed to drive the project forward and maximise commercial opportunities available within north Wales and provide a key link between the major stakeholders – the WRU, the North Wales Rugby Council and Conwy County Borough Council.
- There will be no Canadian involvement in the side for the forthcoming season. This situation will be reviewed during the coming season.
- The Welsh Rugby Union will provide further support to Conwy County Borough Council in the staging of events and the generation of rugby in the area.
- The fixed term contracts of the RGC 1404 coaching team have come to an end and an announcement will be made over the coming months regarding appointments for the new season.
Continued overleaf
Dai Davies, North
Wales Rugby Council
Chairman (pictured
above) said, “The North
Wales Rugby Council,
in conjunction with the
WRU Executive believe
the decision to include
RGC 1404 in SWALEC
Division One East for
season 2012/13 will
provide a new impetus
for north Wales rugby,
and a channel for
players coming through
the WRU North Wales
Academy.’’
Cllr Graham Rees,
Cabinet Member,
Conwy County Borough
Council said: “We’ve
been looking forward to
hearing this news, it’s
an exciting opportunity
for the region’s players
and I hope it will help
to retain these talented
young people in North
Wales.”
WRU Head of rugby Joe Lydon (pictured above) said, “Great strides have already been made in north Wales rugby in the past two seasons, both on and off the field and we are constantly looking for ways to embrace the enthusiasm and professionalism of everyone involved in the game there.
“We know that the standard of rugby has risen in north Wales in recent years but we are conscious that the side now needs to test itself in a competition structure in order to be judged on merit against other sides hoping to progress up the rugby ladder in Wales.
Dai Davies, North Wales Rugby Council chairman said, “The North Wales Rugby Council, in conjunction with the WRU Executive believe the decision to include RGC 1404 in SWALEC Division One East for season 2012/13 will provide a new impetus for north Wales rugby, and a channel for players coming through the WRU North Wales Academy.
Cllr Graham Rees, Cabinet Member, Conwy County Borough Council said: “We’ve been looking forward to hearing this news, it’s an exciting opportunity for the region’s players and I hope it will help to retain these talented young people in North Wales.”
Dave Jones - Great news that we will finally by playing
competitive rugby, just a shame it wasn't the premiership
we had all hoped for... but as Carl says... from small
acorns
Spin Breath - I think people need to Google some of the
teams in Div One East before they get too excited. We'll be
playing against village sides - around the size of the village
sides we have up here. The WRU said they were going to
put us in the Premiership. Not only are we NOT going into
the Premiership, we're not even going into the
Championship, which will be created below the
Premiership in 2012.
HJ - So: Regions, Premiership, Championship, Div 1. The
southerners who run the WRU are permitting us to play in
the fourth tier? Just where were Llangefni when they were
told they were not required? And what's happened to the
pathway for our youngsters to reach the top without
having to travel to the south or to Sale?
JonBoyTaf - Why should they take a place in the
Premiership? If there was an appetite for rugby in the north
then they would already be involved. Trying to force-feed
a sport to the public doesn't work; see 'Celtic Crusaders'!
Otto - Clearly IMO, a 'place' must be found for them at, or
close to, the 2nd tier of Welsh rugby? Had they been
chucked-in to the WP, then cries of 'foul' would have come
from every club from the WP down to NNE, WSW, SSW,
EES Div 17!!
Couple of things will make people a bit doubtful I think,
the main one being, the zero-Canuck presence, forcing
them into an instant downgrade, in ability terms? (Unless
of course, they are replaced by some N. Walian super-
subs, currently never seen?)
As I see it, basically (god-awful expression!!) all the good
stuff, the results against pretty good opposition, the quality
coaching etc. etc. really, all counts for naught with the
Canucks not now being involved?
So, what we are left with, is a brand new entity, but one
that is totally unknown, untried and all the way 'oop there
to boot' (North Wales, from previous experience, is about
the same distance from Ponty, as Quebec city, when it
came to travelling!!)
Where, (the problem is) if not Div one, should they start
playing competitive rugby? Would the Gogs themselves
have accepted anything lower than Div 1?? (Had they
cited prior results/records, that would have been laughed
at!!) Does anyone, and I mean any one, have a clue as to
what quality of squad are they able to assemble? So many
if's, buts, and don't knows, I think someone at the WRU,
has taken a 'flyer' by even gifting them a Div 1 placing? Bit
of a conundrum really I suppose?
As you can imagine, there’s a lot, lot more!
Reaction to the announcement
(taken from various web-sites)...
CH - Great news... from small acorns....
Now it's time for us fans to show the South Walians that
rugby is a WELSH sport not a sport for the people living
along the M4!
AT - Good News! I now hope that the best players in
North Wales aspire to play for this team!
GW - A worrying state of limbo exists for this season
then: I can imagine we won't be seeing many home games,
just like last year. I read that the ground will be handed
back by the contractors in September, but does anybody
know when the new pitch will be playable?
Keep up to date with all that’s happening in North Wales rugby at
www.nwru.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2011 FIXTURESSaturday, 3rd September 2011North Wales Division OneCaernarfon v LlandudnoNant Conwy v MoldBro Ffestiniog v LlangefniBala v RuthinPwllheli v Bethesda
North Wales Division 2Wrexham v AbergeleColwyn Bay v NewtownDolgellau v LlanidloesMachynlleth v COBRADenbigh v Rhyl
North Wales Division 3Bangor v WelshpoolCaer Borderers v Menai BridgeRhosllanerchrugog v FlintLlangoed v Shotton SteelLlangollen v BenllechHolyhead v Harlech
North Wales Youth Division TwoBangor v Welshpool
Saturday, 10 September 2011North Wales Division OneLlangefni v BalaPwllheli v CaernarfonBethesda v Nant ConwyMold v Bro FfestiniogRuthin v Llandudno
North Wales Division TwoLlanidloes v MachynllethDenbigh v WrexhamRhyl v Colwyn BayNewtown v DolgellauCOBRA v Abergele
North Wales Division ThreeMenai Bridge v BangorWelshpool v RhosShotton Steel v Caer BorderersFlint v LlangollenHarlech v LlangoedBenllech v Holyhead
North Wales Youth Division OneLlangefni v DenbighCaernarfon v Colwyn BayCOBRA v MoldWrexham v RhylPwllheli v Ruthin
North Wales Youth Division TwoWelshpool v Nant ConwyBangor v AbergeleBala v BethesdaLlandudno v FlintMachynlleth v NewtownLlanidloes v Bro Ffestiniog
Sunday, 11 September 2011Dragons U18 v RGC1404 U18 - venue and kick-off time TBC
WRU Womens League Premier DivisionNeath Athletic v Dolgellau
WRU Womens Championship DivisionCaernarfon v Waunarlwydd
Saturday, 17 September 2011North Wales Division OneBro Ffestiniog v BethesdaNant Conwy v PwllheliCaernarfon v RuthinLlandudno v LlangefniBala v Mold
North Wales Division TwoDolgellau v RhylColwyn Bay v DenbighWrexham v COBRAAbergele v LlanidloesMachynlleth v Newtown
North Wales Division ThreeRhos v BangorLlangollen v WelshpoolMenai Bridge v Shotton SteelCaer Borderers v HarlechHolyhead v FlintLlangoed v Benllech
North Wales Youth Division TwoWelshpool v Bro FfestiniogNewtown v LlanidloesFlint v MachynllethBethesda v LlandundoAbergele v BalaNant Conwy v Bangor
Sunday, 18 September 2011WRU Womens League Premier DivisionUWIC v Dolgellau
WRU Womens Championship DivisionCroeyceiliog v Caernarfon
WRU Womens League Division 1Welshpool v Treorchy
Saturday, 24 September 2011North Wales Division OneBethesda v BalaMold v LlandudnoLlangefni v RuthinNant Conwy v CaernarfonPwllheli v Bro Ffestiniog
North Wales Division TwoRhyl v NewtownNewtown v AbergeleLlanidloes v COBRAColwyn Bay v WrexhamDenbigh v Dolgellau
North Wales Division ThreeBangor v Shotton SteelWelshpool v HolyheadHarlech v Menai BridgeRhos v LlangollenBenllech v Caer BorderersFlint v Llangoed
North Wales Youth Division OneDenbigh v RuthinRhyl v PwllheliMold v WrexhamColwyn Bay v COBRALlangefni v Caernarfon
North Wales Youth Division TwoBala v Nant ConwyLlandudno v AbergeleMachynlleth v BethesdaLlanidloes v FlintBro Ffestiniog v Newtown
Sunday, 25 September 2011RGC1404 U18 v Ospreys U18 - venue and kick-off time TBC
Please note that the NWRU
cannot be held responsible
for any alterations to these
fixtures - please contact the
home club for confirmation
that the games are going
ahead as per this list
Bank Holiday Sunday
28th August 2011
First Game K.O. 11.00am
At Cae C.O.B.R.A. MEIFODEntries by Monday 22nd August
Contact Trevor Jones - Tel: 07711 722007 or email: [email protected]
Junior Teams in Under 8’s, 10’s & 12’sAge Groups 2010-2011 Season
Trophies for Group Winners and Runners-up£20 entry fee per team - Squad of TEN players
Food provided
COBRA JUNIOR 7’s
BANK HOLIDAY
TOURNAMENT
RUGBY SHORTS
Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon have again volunteered to administer and run this seasons Eryri Cup Competition. The competition is open to the 9 clubs from the "Gogledd North Area" (Bangor, Bala, Bethesda, Bro Ffestiniog, Caernarfon, Llandudno, Llangefni, Nant Conwy, Pwllheli) with teams in the Under 12, 14 and 16 age groups. An entry form can be downloaded from the North Wales web-site at www.nwru.co.uk and should be returned by 15th September 2012. For more information contact John Prebble via email [email protected]
Caernarfon RFC to host Eryri Cup in 2011-12 - entries to be in by 15 September
We train on a Wednesday, 7:00pm until 8:30pm.
Please consider hosting us we will respect your
club and facilities and require nothing more than
the grass and lights
Hello Clubs, I'm desperately looking for venues for
the North East U15s squad to use for training. As
winter approaches the need for flood lighting is fast
Annual General Meeting of WRU District J to be followed by AGM of North Wales Rugby Union Council Dear all,
The Annual District Meeting for District J will be held at the Manor Room, Kinmel Manor Hotel on Monday 12 September at 07:00 pm. The meeting will be chaired by Martin Davies, Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union’s Finance Committee.
The only item on the Agenda will be - The development and administration of the Game in the District
(An opportunity to question Martin about the WRU’s decision to sell the television rights for the Wales/England and Wales/Argentina matches to Sky TV?)
This is the Annual District Meeting for the WRU Clubs in North Wales, however, as in past years there is an open invitation to attend for all clubs and associations.
The North Wales Rugby Union Council AGM will follow at 07:30 pm; again there is an open invitation to all clubs and associations. Voting rights will be restricted to members of the Council, again all clubs and associations are represented on the Council.
Alwyn JonesSecretary North Wales Rugby Union01248 355137 (h)07920 494170 (m)
13 Penyffridd Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2LZ
North Wales Youth meeting - date for your diary - Wednesday, 31st August, 2011
Please notify Secretary, Merv Picton, before the date
of the meeting if your club wishes to take part in the
Please ensure that your clubs is fully aware of the rules and regulations and that your coaching staff select teams which meet the criteria mentioned within.
It is also important to note that because of the congestion of National League and SWALEC Cup fixtures (which will always take priority) the LCCMC will set the dates for the games, which must be adhered to. Both NW Cup competitions will run in tandem with the SWALEC CUP whenever possible and the dates for individual ties will be allocated as teams are knocked out of the National Competition.
Any alternative dates (eg. Tues. Sept 13th ) will always be set by the LCCMC if clubs are still involved in the SWALEC CUP .
THE DRAW
Senior Cup - 1st RoundTuesday 13th September 2011A - Dinbych v Rhyl B - Llanidloes v Dolgellau
Sat. 8th October 2011C - Bethesda v BalaD - COBRA v MoldE - Llandudno v CaernarfonF – Llangefni v Colwyn BayG – Pwllheli v Bro FfestiniogH – Ruthin v Nant Conwy
Quarter Final CupSat. 5th Nov. 2011 (or on a date stipulated by LCCMC)Winners H v Winners BWinners C v Winners DWinners G v Winners AWinners F v Winners E
Quarter Final PlateSat. 5th Nov. 2011 (OR ON A DATE STIPULATED BY LCCMC)Losers B v Losers DLosers F v Losers GLosers C v Losers ALosers H v Losers E
Semi FinalsSat. 31st March 2012
FinalsSunday 6th May 2012
Intermediate Cup - 1st RoundTues. 13th September 2011A - Bangor v Holyhead B - Flint v Caer BorderersC - Menai Bridge v AbergeleD - Newtown v Harlech
Sat. 8th October 2011E - Benllech v LlangoedF - Llangollen v ShottonG - Rhos v WrexhamH - Welshpool v Machynlleth
Quarter Final Sat. 5th Nov. 2011 (or on a date stipulated by LCCMC)Winners H v Winners GWinners E v Winners AWinners C v Winners DWinners B v Winners F
Semi FinalsSat. 31st March
FinalSat 29th April ALL Finals (Senior and Intermediate) to be played at a Neutral venue
The Rules and Regulations are available on the North Wales web-site - www.nwru.co.uk
NORTH WALES
SENIOR CUP, PLATE AND
INTERMEDIATE CUP
DRAWSLast season, 2010-11, was a season to remember for Coleg Llandrillo Cymru...
At the recent College graduation ceremony, the College had three players (Jordan Sheridan, Jamie Kelly, Maredydd Francis) awarded Welsh Colleges Caps following their representation for the Welsh Colleges team that beat England Colleges 28-17 at Aberavon RFC in May 2011.
A couple of weeks ago, the sevens team won the Urdd Gemau Cymru 7's Plate competition comfortably (see picture below, taken by sportysnaps.com), having lost to Coleg Sir Gar (21-19) and Monmouth School (15-10) narrowly in the group stages, but went on to beat Coleg Merion Dwyfor (QF: 63-0), Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf (SF: 26-0), and Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr (F: 45-7) in the knockout stages.
The 15's squad finished 2nd in the British Colleges Sport North West Performance League, only losing two games during the year.
The College have also built strong links with RGC 1404 throughout the year and look forward to working with seven or more of the WRU RGC Academy players in Season 2011-12 in preparation for matches with Coleg Sir Gar, Coleg Gwent, Hartpury College, Myerscough College and the likes.
Photograph above kindly provided by sportysnaps.com
Nant celebrate opening of new clubhouse with entertaining draw against North Wales President’s XV
This match was played as the 'social' opening of nant Conwy's new Clubhouse. The 'rugby' fraternity from all Rugby Clubs across North Wales were invited and it was good to see over 200 spectators present.The President's XV started strongly on a wet surface following a 2 hour heavy shower before the kick off. But Nant defended resolutely and became more of a force in the game and eventaully scored an unconverted try by Centre Emrys Evans. Emrys is returning to Nant this coming season after playing for Llanymddyfri for several seasons.
It was a similar story in the second half but Mathew Parry (Bethesda) squeezed over for an unconverted try in the corner. After a full 80 minutes of a high standard of rugby, referee Tom Wright blew the final whistle with the score level at 5- 5 and everuy player present mentioned how they had enjoyed been part of such a specacle.
Chwarewyd y gem hon fel agoriad 'cymdeithasol' estynaid newydd Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy. Gwahoddwyd aelodau o Bwyllgorau o bob Clwb Rygbi Yng Nghogledd Cymru yn ogystal ag enwogion rygbi eraill. Braf oedd gweld tros 200 yn bresennol. Dechreuodd y tim gwadd yn gryf ar wyneb llithrig yn dilyn tua 2 awr o law trwm cyn y gic gyntaf. Ond amddiffynnodd Nant yn dda gan ddod fwyfwy i'r gem a sgorio cais gan Emrys Evans sydd yn dychwelyd i Nant eleni ar ol chwarae i Lanymddyfri am sawl tymor. Methwyd y trosiad!
Stori debyg oedd hi yn yr ail hanner ond llwyddodd Mathew Parry (Bethesda) i sgorio cais yn y gornel gyda'r trosiad yn cael ei fethu unwaith eto. Bu i'r dyfarnwr, Tom Wright chwythu'r bib olaf gyda'r sgor yn hollol gyfartal 5 - 5 gyda chwaraewyr y ddwy ochr wedi mwynhau chwarae 80 munud o rygbi safonol iawn.
“It is a huge amount of money to go into a small community, but thanks to the developments we can now hold functions in the clubhouse and will have a wedding here soon.
“Before the state-of-the-art kitchen and catering facilities were installed everyone had to eat outside.
“We have more than 200 junior members and now they can change and eat in the warm.”
The new clubhouse was erected between last September and this May by contractor GM Jones (Builders) Ltd from Llanrwst.
Club secretary Ifor Efans said: that partnership working had enabled funding for the clubhouse.
He added: “Funds for the £450,000 clubhouse were generated through partners such as Conwy County Council, Welsh Rugby Union and the Sports Council for Wales, as well as smaller grants and gifts from several local businesses and people.
“The main grant was from wind company Maelogan 2 and we thank them for their very generous donation.
“The actual build of the clubhouse took about nine months after being hampered by a very harsh winter, but the planning and fundraising began in 2006.”
The new clubhouse is now room for events and functions for up to 200 people and is fully licensed.
Ifor added: “Demand is growing day by day which is fantastic in such hard times.”
On September 3, there will be the official opening, prior to the first match of the season against Mold.
Myrddin ap Dafydd, who scored the first ever try for Nant Conwy more than 30 years ago, will be the guest speaker on that day.
A RUGBY club has scored a try with the grand opening of its brand new £450,000 clubhouse after investing over £1m in community facilities.
After a 16-year long development, Nant Conwy Rugby Club in Trefriw now has top notch facilities
benefiting not only players and supporters but the whole community.
This includes a £40,000 state-of-the-art kitchen to cater for 200 people, extensive grounds work and modernisation after years of flooding, new modern changing
rooms for players, and now a brand new clubhouse.
Chair Humphrey Hughes said the small club has come a long way.
“Nant Conwy has come on in leaps and bounds in 16 years,” he said. “We have spent over £1m in
Course costs £20, non refundable, includes buffet lunch.
To book a place, completed application form and fee must
be received in the Referees Department.
REFEREES COURSE FOR
NORTH WALESLevel 1 Referee
Courses
Autumn 2011
RHYS DOING NORTH WALES
PROUD AS HE LINES UP AT
THE MILLENNIUM LAST
WEEKEND AGAINST ENGLAND
You could be forgiven for thinking that there was only one North Walian (George North) proudly lining up on the pitch for the anthems at the Millennium Stadium last weekend as seventy thousand plus blasted out Land of My Fathers but, standing next to Wales captain, Sam Warburton, was another rising star from the North in the guise of Rhys Thomas, one of the match officials on the day.
Rhys might not be grabbing the headlines as much as George does, but his rise to the top has been equally as impressive.
Rhys’ rugby career started as a pupil at Ysgol Creuddyn, Penrhyn Bay and he then moved on to play at Colwyn Bay RFC.
An injury unfortunately forced Rhys to abandon playing the game, but supported and encouraged by his father, Alun, himself a well-known and respected referee in North Wales, Rhys decided to take up the whistle and he hasn’t looked back since.
Rhys and father Alun are the only father and son on the WRU list of Level 3 Referees, something they are both very proud of.
Away from the rugby field, Rhys is presently a doctor at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff and was promoted to the Elite group of Welsh referees (which also includes Nigel Owens, Tim Hayes, Leighton Hodges, Neils Hennessey, James Jones & Gwyn Morris) over the Summer.
He has refereed several international matches at under 18 level, and has officiated accross the border in British and Irish Cup matches.
Rhys is pictured (above left) during the anthems and (above) waiting to release Jamie Roberts back to the field after his ten minute sin-binning.
Age-grade championship starts on Sunday, August 28th against the Scarlets
RGC 1404 U18 v Scarlets U182pm kick-off at Colwyn Bay RFC
RGC 1404 U16 v Scarlets U162pm kick-off at Rydal School
