Bridgend Athletic
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We wish Bridgend Athletic RFC a successful 2018 / 2019 playing season
Visit our website or contact us for further details : Tel : 0800 0582734 email : enquiries @ cotacabin . co . uk www . cotacabin . co . uk are Oldcastle , 150 metres from the clubhouse , Litchard and Llangewydd .
The 1st XV , a truly amateur team , reached the second tier of Welsh Rugby a mainly semi- professional Championship in season 2012-2013 and finished respective mid table positions in the first three seasons before suffering relegation to Division 1 Central in season 2015-2016 . Five of the teams they competed against , semi -professional sides Swansea , Merthyr , Ebbw Vale , Bargoed and RGC1404 , now compete at Premiership level . The club defeated Merthyr , Bargoed and RGC1404 .
This season , fielding seven of last season ’ s National League Youth Championship side they finished in 3rd place in Division 1 West Central scoring 604 points and 80 tries in 22 league games . After losing 3 of the first 4 games they won 16 of the remaining 18 , including a six-month 14 match winning sequence . They recorded six league doubles , defeating every side except for champions Maesteg Quins .
They are coached by three former Athletic players , Head Coach John Apsee , backs coach Stuart Morris and forwards coach David Williams . Former Wales scrum half Gerald Williams has come on board this season . Paul Hearne has been Team Manager since 2008 . Stuart Morris , an eight times club captain is the Athletics ’ all time senior appearance record holder with 458 , top points scorer ( 3977 ) and most points in a season ( 393 ) record holder .
Former hooker Simon Mustoe , the youngest club captain at 21 , made 307 appearances . Current prop Wayne Fooks has made 356 appearances , while No 8 Sean Williams a 5-time club captain has made 275 appearances and lock Jonathon Stoker who aged 37 played all 24 games this season has 277 appearances . The team are currently led for the second season by flanker Ben Howe who is capped at Wales U16 and U18 levels .
John Naisbitt has had a long and positive association with Bridgend Athletic Rugby Club . He recently told Rugby Club Magazine , “ I was 36 years old when I started playing as a prop forward for the club and I have to say it was probably the most enjoyable six years of my career up until I hung my boots up at the age of 42 .” “ My last season was most memorable with the team gaining promotion that year . Prior to my arrival at Bridgend Athletic I played competitively for Pencoed , Llanharan , Penarth and captained Cowbridge for a season . “ My son Aeron who is 11 years old continues to be involved in the sport since he started playing as a 7 year old . Now that Aeron has started to fill out and is training in the front row it is likely he will become a prop like his dad . Coaching youth players over the years has been very rewarding especially watching them develop , I still help out down at the club from time to time . “ My business Cotacabin has sponsored the club and its teams for over 16 years now and we like to help out when we can . “ I am a Gold president of Bridgend Athletic Rugby Club and I have to say that the welcome I have always received from club members and my friends down there is second to none . The club has produced its fair share of international stars and some very good local talent as well with players like Wayne Fooks who has come all the way through the clubs excellent Youth system . “ I am very proud of my association with Bridgend Athletic Rugby Club and I would like to congratulate the club on this year ’ s success whilst maintaining their truly amateur ethics and status - long may it continue !”
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