Rugby Club Issue 75 | Page 51

Tredegar “We have some fantastic people working for the club at present including Chairman Anthony Preece, Director Sharon Hamer and Captain Craig Lewis” Atmosphere “The club is evolving and although it’s a new era, the club is forward thinking and progressive with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. We have a very hard working mini and junior committee who are nurturing the senior Tredegar RFC players of the future although this is sometime off yet. We are currently refurbishing the club and we have also had a new gym installed due to the hard work of the players such as hooker Dan Stradling. I consider it a ‘family’ club.” Present “The off season was very productive with the introduction of a new coaching team made up of Lloyd Williams, Richard Powell and Andrew Thomas. Powell being the former Welsh Premiership leading points scorer. We have secured some additional signings which has boded well for the season ahead although numerous injuries have led to a somewhat subdued start to the campaign. We have turned the corner and back to back wins have helped us to consolidate our position in the league and we are also through to round 3 of the Welsh Bowl Competition. We now want to Consolidate our position in the league, have a good cup run and continue the development of the younger players of the squad.” Youth “The mini and junior section is thriving at present and they themselves are at a crossroads with regards to development. Blaenau Gwent would like to regionalise grass roots rugby in the area to encourage young people’s participation. This is now under consideration by club officials in the locality, not just Tredegar RFC, to assess the positives of this concept. We do not currently have a Youth side but this is not to say that this will not happen in the near future as we need to ensure a conveyor belt of player talent in the area.” Challenges/Ambitions “Our biggest challenges moving forward will be sustaining age grade and senior rugby and ensuring the commercial viability of the club going forward. We will also be looking to improve club facilities and social interaction with the local community. It is about marketing the club in a positive light. We will strive to improve and develop on and off the field and to encourage player participation. We have some fantastic people working for the club at present including Chairman Anthony Preece, Director Sharon Hamer and Captain Craig Lewis and we want to continue developing a willing group of volunteers as it is essential to enable the club to be sustainable going forward.” www.rugbyclubmag.com 51