bonymaen
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Bonymaen
Images kindly taken and supplied by Anthony Barber
B
onymaen RFC is a terrific example of a well-run
community establishment that plays an important
role in their local community. We caught up with
their Secretary Alun Evans to find out more about
the good work that they’ve been doing lately.
He told us, “I have been involved in Bonymaen RFC ever
since I can remember. One of my Grandfathers, my Father
and his brother all played for the club. I remember my father
pointing out a team picture on display in the club showing
himself and my Uncle with a young blonde boy of about two
years of age being held up in the back row. It was me being
held by a supporter as my mother worked on Saturdays and
the only way my father could play was to bring me with him
to the games!
“There being no Junior sides at the time at the club, like most
boys I played rugby for my Junior and Grammar school.
From the age of about 15 and above we would then sneak
off from after a Saturday morning school game to get a game
with the Club Youth side. Woe betide those boys who got
injured playing for their club on a Saturday afternoon!
“I think Bonymaen RFC would have been classed as a
Community Club long before the term came into existence! We
always have had a strong Social Section and actively encourage
all local people to join us – our Senior Citizens are fully involved
in the club as well as our youngest in the Junior Section.
“I wasn’t a fitness fanatic and never made it above the Second
XV! I quickly worked out that I enjoyed the Social and
Administrative side of Club life and became a Committee man
in my mid-20s.
“As my 2 sons grew up I became heavily involved in helping
to develop a thriving Junior Section – a very enjoyable time. I
moved up with my boys to Team Manager of the youth. Pressure
64 Issue 54
Tony Beaujean is a principal club sponsor of Bonymaen RFC with
his business Afon Engineering Ltd. He recently spoke to Rugby
Club Magazine, saying “I started taking Andrew down to the club
as a school boy aged 10 and have been involved ever since. My
father Ray really loved Bonymaen and was a big fan of the club
and for what they stood for.
My business has been a sponsor for some 20 years now and we
try and help out whenever we can. It’s wonderful to see the club
doing so well and with the coaches all being past players they are
able to pass on real experience to their players.
My view is that Bonymaen bring their players through from a very
young age and this is its strength as a community club, we have
also produced some great international players over the years
with the likes of Richard Webster who was a very successful
coach with us. Well done to everyone at the club on a great
season and lets all keep playing to the final game.”
of work forced me to curtail my involvement for a time but as
soon as I retired I came back as Secretary of the Club.
“We have a successful Junior section, Youth Team, Second XV
and Senior Side. Now that we are completely amateur again we
rely predominantly on home grown talent from our Junior and
Youth Sections – they are an integral part of the club and we
could not survive without them.
“It is also a pleasure to see our boys go on to bigger and better
things but even more so when they come back to us to share their
experiences as most have done. Players such as Malcolm Dacey,
Richard Webster, Dai Fox and Simon Davies have all returned
to coaching roles with us. Alun Wyn Jones is of this generation
and of the future Rory Thornton, the Captain of Wales Under