Girls’ rugby is a big hit
AN all-female rugby centre set up in the Cynon Valley two months ago now has 45 girls training there every week.
AN all-female rugby centre set up in the Cynon Valley two months ago now has 45 girls training there every week.
And, the youngsters have been paid a visit by Cwmbach’s own Wales international rugby star Amy Evans, who has showed her support for the new set-up aiming to provide more opportunities for female players in the valley.
The new centre, called The Timbers, was set up in April to represent the whole of the Cynon Valley, to run under-9s, under11s, under-13s and under15s teams.
It meant female players – from Hirwaun RFC, Abercwmboi RFC, Aberdare RFC, Mountain Ash RFC, Rhigos RFC and Abercynon RFC – started representing The Timbers.
The move was pioneered by the Welsh Rugby Union, to introduce new rugby cluster centres to bolster female rugby at grassroots level. Kath Yates, business development manager at Aberdare RFC – the Cynon Valley cluster’s host club – said the move has so far proved a success.
She said: “We are averaging 45 girls participating across all the age groups, which is fantastic. And we want to get the message out there that we are still going strong and welcoming girls who want to get involved.
“The girls train on a Wednesday at the Ynys, and then play games on Sundays against the other cluster groups. It’s re- ally friendly when we play other teams, like a festival atmosphere. Before, there was nothing available for girls who wanted to get involved – especially the younger ones. Now we’re seeing 45 female players each Wednesday on average, and up to 60 on some nights.”
Kath said The Timbers were delighted welcome Amy Evans to a recent training session.
She added: “It’s was great that Amy could come along, and great for the youngsters that they could meet an international rugby player from the Aberdare area.”
Each Wednesday under9s train from 5pm to 6pm, while under 13s and under-15s train from 6pm to 7pm. All girls aged nine to 15 are welcome.