bridgend
ravens
Bridgend Ravens
B
Bridgend Ravens RFC was first established in 1878 and lost in the final of the South Wales Challenge Cup to Newport
RFC. Since then they have gone on to put together a history of which they have every right to be proud and now play
an important role in their local community.
Media Officer, Aled Thomas took the
time to tell us more, saying, “I’ve been
involved with Bridgend since I was
around ten years old. My father is a
massive supporter (and now treasurer of
the club) and starting taking me as soon
as I was willing to go.
“I’ve been Media Officer for the past 4
years and enjoyed every moment. I’ve
witnessed a Premiership title, relegation
and promotion in my time so I’ve rarely
had a dull moment! My Grandfather used
to cut the grass at the Brewery Field so I
would say I have Bridgend in my blood.
“My role is continually challenging. We
don’t always win, which means reliving
the game when writing a match report
isn’t always nice! But the buzz of match
week – interviewing players, doing a
match preview, etc. is all exciting. Plus,
those reports are even more enjoyable
when we do win. I’m lucky to have a great
media team around me which makes it
fun. We’re all Bridgend supporters first
and foremost which helps.
“The general mood is good. We have
had a terrible league season but we’ve
been on fire in the Swalec Cup. We’re
into our first cup final in 25 years where
we will play Pontypridd. We go in as
underdogs but we put Pontypridd to the
sword in January so we believe we can
cause an upset.
“Regardless of the result, we are just
delighted to progress to the final having
beaten a very good Carmarthen Quins
side that we hadn’t beaten for five years.
The town is getting behind us ahead of
the final so we’re all excited. We have a
few league games to secure our survival
in the division before we can concentrate
on the showpiece final, but it’s a good
time to support Bridgend right now.
“Youth rugby is the heart of everything
we do. We are part of a prolific feeder
system to our region, the Ospreys. Rhys
Webb, Scott Baldwin and Ryan Bevington
have all been recent products who have
gone on to represent Wales and we are
excited about a few others – such as Tom
Habberfield who we think will go on and
play for our country.
“Our aim for the next five years has to
be consolidation and continued growth.
When we look back at this season, we
have every right to be disappointed but
we have to use it as a springboard to
progress. Bridgend is a massive club
and deserves to be at the top end of the
Premiership challenging for honours. I
believe we are capable of this and if we
continue to produce good, local talent
then we will give our town a team to be
really proud of.”
www.bridgendravens.co.uk- Twitter : @bridgendravens
www.sportip.biz
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