YOGI’S LEGACY FOR CLUB
Family remember father’s brave battle as dream of helping youngsters comes to fruition
THE family of a rugby player who died after being paralysed in a game have seen his dream fulfilled with the opening of an extension to his home club.
Bryan Davies, 56, known to friends as Yogi, spent three and a half years in hospital after breaking his neck when a scrum collapsed while playing for Bala against Nant Conwy in April 2007 and was left a tetraplegic. He died at home on August 30, 2013 and an inquest heard he had died of pneumonia linked to his injuries.
The brave husband and father-oftwo’s six-year battle against pain and adversity touched rugby followers at home and abroad - helping to raise £200,000 to adapt his home.
The idea for an extension to Bala’s clubhouse so its youngsters could eat after a game and socialise with the opposition rather than have to go to a pub was something Bryan strongly believed in.
The “Ystafell Yogi” extension was officially opened at Maes Gwyniad on Saturday by Welsh Rugby Union president Dennis Gethin, unveiling a marble plaque with the same lines of poetry by Beryl Griffiths which also appear on Bryan’s gravestone: “Y gŵr dewr a’r geiriau doeth. Eu cofio fydd ein cyfoeth.”
Much of the money for the exten- sion was raised by efforts including his children who joined a sponsored cycle from Holyhead to Llanelli, as well as donations from Bryan’s funeral and grants.
While a player, Bryan coached some of the club’s junior sides - and continued after the accident from his wheelchair.
Bryan’s daughter, Teleri, 20 on Sunday and a law student at Bangor University and son Ilan, 22, graduating this year with a Masters in electronic engineering at Bangor, both play and coach rugby and have carried on with their father’s passion for the game.
Teleri said before the event: “We will be opening the new function room and a new kitchen which will be used during rugby matches.”
Teleri, who has started a women’s section at the club and is their committee representative, said: “Without dad and his planning, this wouldn’t have happened. He didn’t like seeing children going to a pub after the games for something to eat and then everybody going their different ways.
“He used to say that whatever happens on the field stays on the field and that afterwards it was important to socialise and make friends.”
Different to many other clubs, Bala does not have a bar - something Bryan felt strongly stongly about - although it will have an occasional one opening 10 times a year.
Teleri added: “The function room will room for around 80 people and will be able to seat 60. It will be available for the community’s use - for any organisation to hire out for functions or on a weekly basis.”
There are disabled facilities at the clubhouse and a spectators area to view the first team’s matches. There are also magnificent views over to nearby Llyn Tegid.
Bryan’s widow Susan, who has just retired from the police force after undergoing surgery, said: “Bry felt strongly that Bala was the only rugby club without facilities.
“It was thanks to him that the plans got through.”
“He used to say what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch and it was important to socialise and make friends” Teleri Davies