Dunvant RFC will be marking their 125th anniversary this coming rugby season.
There will be a host of special events, including a new drive to boost junior rugby during the course of this month.
Martin Newbury, chairman of the club’s junior section said the year would represent a significant milestone in the history of Dunvant RFC.
He said: “We were established in 1877 under the banner of Dunvant and Killay RFC.
“Everyone remembers that we enjoyed tremendous periods of success at the first class level of rugby in Wales prior to the regionalisation of rugby in Wales.
“There was a time when games in Europe against powerhouses such as Edinburgh, Northampton and Narbonne were the norm, with the special games against international teams ranging from the Ivory Coast to Japan a treasured memory for all at the club.
“But that was the past and now the younger guns, which have come through the club are proving their worth, with a 1st XV that has been made up of players only one or two seasons out of youth status helping to guide Dunvant to promotion from Division 3 West to the 2nd Division.
“The future is looking promising, but like all clubs in the non-professional side of club rugby we must rely on home-grown talent to survive.
“At the heart of this lies mini rugby, junior rugby and their ‘older brother’ the youth team.
“Dunvant has prided itself on the system that has led to success and it runs teams from under 7s to under 16s as well as the youth team.
“These teams are all self-supporting and have an on-going commitment to coach and train tomorrow’s stars such as the Wales and Edinburgh star Richie Rees, who started his journey at Dunvant through all the age grades to senior rugby before moving onto greater things.
“With qualified and suitably checked coaches at all age grades, Dunvant is always trying to improve its lot.
“We have a club policy of all players being given at least half a game every week if they train. It is a welcome for many children who do not feel pressurised into winning at all costs and takes the pressure off coaches and parents to ensure that their child is treated fairly. Some clubs try to instil a winning attitude into youngsters that in the long term can hinder both the children’s and team’s long term development.
“Out philosophy is taken into the youth team level, where the late development of players can be so noticeable.
“As part of our aim to use the junior section to build the solid foundations of the club, Dunvant Minis are holding two recruitment days on July 10th and 17th, from 6pm to 7pm at Dunvant RFC.
“All players, girls and boys from under 7s to 11, old and new are welcome, with refreshments for all.
“There will also be a chance to meet some of the Ospreys players.”
Further information can be found on the club website www.dunvantrfc.co.uk, where all team managers’ details are available for all age grades from under 7s to the seniors.
Dunvant Juniors will be launching a new sponsor a team scheme in July where they will be seeking numerous sponsors for the kit that will be bought for the junior sections over a three-year cycle, with packages ranging from £50 to £300.
The aim is that every three years a team will get a new kit and sponsors will see their name embossed onto more than 180 playing shirts, as well as being given advertising space on the club’s website and in match programmes.
The outgoing Junior Chairman Martin Newbury will be passing the ball to the new Chairman Andy Warren at the club’s AGM and will be moving with his team to the Youth Section.
Dunvant will be playing a pre-season 125 year anniversary match against Swansea on Saturday August 11.
The Annual General Meeting of Dunvant Rugby Football Club will be held on Wednesday 25th July in the Clubhouse at 7.30p.m.
For more information see:
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/
Twitter: @DunvantRFC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunvantRFC
