After an extremely long wait and what feels like an eternity away from the game, rugby is back…... and we can’t wait to get going!
Our Mini & Junior teams returned to training and began playing some games back in April, but for the majority they will all now look to start their 2021-22 campaigns from June and July when contact games are permitted. It will be fantastic to see all the boys and girls taking to the field once again after what has been a lengthy lay-off for them amidst difficult times and circumstances. We wish all players, coaches and our club volunteers a welcome return and the best of luck for their forthcoming seasons…
Earlier this month the WRU announced the return of competitive rugby for senior, 15-a-side competitions for male and female senior players – played under modified Laws to reduce contact in the scrum and maul – are set to run from August to December, as per the WRU’s Pathway to Participation published in March. The competitions will each take the form of pool fixtures and competition rounds, based around local geography, followed by an open knock-out phase for qualifying teams. The WRU and competitions committee are currently working through the proposals and further announcements on fixtures is expected shortly.
In light of the new proposals for this year, the WRU are also working on a competition formats for 2nd XV sides and Youth teams and these will be communicated in due course.
Given the somewhat surprising announcements made and the relatively little time to prepare after such a long exodus, a number of friendly games have been scheduled for late in July before the competitions kick off from August 7th for our senior sides. Pre-season friendlies against Talywain (Away) and Crosskeys (Away) will take place on the 24th and 31st July respectively. In line with the latest Welsh Government guidance, spectators can now attend community rugby matches providing they adhere to Welsh Government guidance on all areas especially social distancing and hand hygiene.
It’s also been proposed that district-level competitions, for those clubs knocked out of the national competitions, will be arranged in conjunction with the suggested timelines for the return period so that all teams get to play competitive rugby right up until December where Welsh Rugby will then enter a winter break until mid-January 2022 as a precautionary measure for any possible 3rd wave of infections and increase in cases of coronavirus, which could prompt another national lockdown. Let’s hope that doesn’t prove to be the case!
One major change being implemented for this season is to the age banding for Youth rugby. The Youth age band for next season (from Saturday 24 July) is players Under 18 on August 31st 2021, in order to align with Welsh Government strategy where any players OVER 18 may be prohibited from taking part IF adult sport in Wales is suspended again due to an increase in coronavirus cases in Wales. Whilst this has sparked huge debate across many clubs in Wales, it does present new and exciting challenges for players moving up into Youth rugby this season and for those players who now have the opportunity to advance into our senior ranks who get to work with all our senior club players and coaches, where they’ll be given a chance to stake their claims for squad places and even a starting berth.
Clubs across the whole of Wales are all in the same position, but you can be sure that our coaches will always have player welfare and safety at the heart of everything they do and the guys will be giving it their all to be prepared and ready when the time comes…
We’re also pleased to confirm the coaching teams in place for next season…
Club stalwart Jack Condy will continue is his role as Head Coach of the 1st XV side and as overall Club Coach Coordinator, overseeing and developing the coaching set-up throughout the club. Jack will also have Steve Lang (Backs Coach) and Geraint Kettley (Strength & Conditioning) in his ranks. Jeff Davies will continue in his role as 1st XV Team Manager and the group will be supported by Steve Cribb & Mark Williams (Performance Analysts). We’re also delighted to confirm that Kate Pass and Mark Wilmott (Senior Club Physio’s) will continue in their roles it’s also been announced that Rhys Stephens will continue as 1st XV Captain for the forthcoming season where he will also have Jonny Wright and Joseph Scrivens as his Vice Captains…
Our 2nd XV (the beloved Troop) coaching set-up is made up of the charismatic clubman that is Gareth Bisp as the Head Coach, where he will be supported by some of the club’s old boys and legends in their own right, Andrew Powell and Dale Powell. Bryan Harris comes in as the newly announced 2nd XV Team Manager and Captain for the 2nd XV for the season will be Sam Hunt…
Finally, the Youth. The revised changes to the Youth age banding for this season see’s some changes and additions in the coaching set-up. The ever-present Geraint Thomas continues in his position as Head Coach for the Youth and he will now be supported by Lee Howells (Forwards), Richard Scrivens and Dai Roberts (Backs) and Owen Robins (Assistant Coach). Dean Williams will also be newly appointed as the Youth Team Manager and Captain for the new look Youth for the 2021/22 season is Iwan Horley, with Mike Carter as Vice Captain…
We wish all our captains, players, coaches, physio’s and team managers the safest of returns and the very best of luck for the forthcoming season…
The club would like to express our thanks and pay it’s respects to some of the clubs greatest players and members who’ve supported these teams in recent years – Matthew Angel who vacates his position as 2nd XV Team Manager to take a well-deserved break away from the game and Matthew Jackson as Youth team Forwards Coach who now takes the brave leap to coach our U6s where his son Ollie will play whilst also lacing the boots one last time for his final season. We thank you both for everything you’ve done boys and we’re indebted for your contributions that you have and continue to make to our club…
Here’s looking forward to a bright new future with renewed hope and the eagerly anticipated return of our wonderful game at the Home of the Pitmen…
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