Rugby Club Issue 54 | Page 45

ystrad rhondda Ystrad Rhondda Y strad Rhondda RFC has enjoyed a fantastic campaign this season which has culminated with them taking home the SSE Swalec Plate from the Millennium Stadium. In difficult conditions they took on Newcastle Emlyn and eventually emerged victorious 25-17 after a hard fought contest in which both sides deserved tremendous credit. Rugby Club Magazine caught up with their Secretary Alan Sinclair to find out what has been behind their success. He told us, “I’ve been involved with Ystrad for twenty years, firstly as a parent then after about seven months I was asked if I would like to join the Mini & Junior Committee. I accepted shortly after and joined the Junior Committee before being appointed Mini & Junior Chairman. “I later also became Mini & Junior Fi xture Secretary for fifteen years before taking up my current position of Senior club Secretary four years ago. I initially got involved when my son wanted to play rugby at the age of six and so we joined Ystrad Rhondda in 1995; he is still playing for the club . “The most challenging part of my position is making sure that all sections within the club work together for the greater good of everyone involved. The most rewarding is to see our young players develop into quality players in our senior squads and going onto bigger and better things within rugby. “The mood within the club is excellent with our 1st XV doing so well having secured second place in the league with three games to play and involved in two cup finals. All sections within the club are looking up to and supporting them. Winning the Swalec Plate was a fantastic achievement and we are also in the final of the Glamorgan County Silver Ball at Aberavon on the 23rd May verses Penallta. “Our 2nd’s have also had their best season ever finishing second in their league and reaching a cup final, and our Youth have had a brilliant season finishing top of their league without losing a league game. I think the key to our success has been a combination of excellent coaching and the development05/05/2015 15:27 players and of our young Page 1 Advert_124 their integration into our two senior teams over the last three years. “It is vital to have a good structure below the Youth team as we have a conveyor belt into your Youth squad and our Youth to feed into your Senior squads. Over the last few years we have been proactive within the community and have been working closely with other community group to set up community links. please follow us on twitter @caxtonpresscymr Find us on Facebook C Y M R U L I M I T E D Commercial Print & Design For all your printing needs Match prograMMes • tote tickets and Much More Tel: 01443 772134 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.caxtonpresscymru.com howard street • treorchy • Mid glamorgan • cF42 6ar Celebrating over 100 years in business www.pitchero.com/clubs/ystradrhondda- Twitter : @YstradRFC www.sportip.biz 45