Curtis keeping the CIACS’ dream alive
FOR more than 70 years the CIACS (Cardiff Internationals) have been battling against the odds and they still aren’t ready to give up the fight.
One of the most famous rugby clubs in Wales, they were born in the old Tiger Bay area of Cardiff in 1946 to “embrace all races and religions, reflecting the make-up of the local population, and prove that all peoples can live together in harmony as one community.”
They have been true to those ideals through good times and bad, helping to produce some staggeringly good players like Billy Boston, Johnny Freeman, Colin Dixon and David Willicombe, and winning the odd trophy down the years.
With Boston in their side in the 1951/52 season they won all 32 games to register their only ‘invincible’ season.
They triumphed in the Welsh Brewers Cup final at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park in 1987, scooped the Cardiff & District Mallett Cup five times (1978, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989), were Cardiff & District League Division 1 champions in 2005 and Premier league champions in 2010.
That led to them being invited into the WRU National League system for the 2010/11 season, but it has been a hard slog since them.
They failed to play a game in the 2015/16 campaign and have failed to get out of the bottom two in Division 3 East Central C in the past four seasons.
In that time they have played 65 league games and won only eight, although things now seem to be looking up.
They kicked-off the current season by beating Girling 26-24 away from home before going down to successive defeats to Cardiff Saracens (40-0) and Sully View (17-12).
They have a big date in the new Specsavers National Shield competition on 12 October, when they host Brackla, but the most important thing in their revival is their off-the-field structure and the numbers turning up for training.
But the biggest difference this season has been the return of former player Curtis Taylor.
He has returned to take over the coaching reins once again and he has assembled an enthusiastic coaching team around him, which includes a rugby analyst and a former WRU referee to provide essential feedback on improving standards.
“The CIACS was my first club when I was 15 and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. People keep telling me I’m made for going back, but I want to help to leave them in a better place than the one in which I found them earlier in the year,” said the former Penarth, Bridgend and Halifax rugby league player.
“Rugby has always been important to the people in this part of Cardiff and the CIACS have been a great advert for the docks. That said, the club was in dire straits when I first took a look at it.
“The first thing I told them when I said I would come back was that we had to have a working committee and a proper coaching team. We now have eight people with specific roles on the committee and I’ve got Larry Ford and Chris Cobbold working with me on the coaching side.
“We won both of our pre-season games, came out on top in our first league fixture and are determined to finish higher than we have done in recent season. It is going to be hard work, but the early signs are very encouraging.
“Everyone is working hard and we’ve got new players keen to join us. The WRU, through Geraint John, has been very supportive and there seems to be a renewed spirit.”
‘Old head’ Mark Smart has taken over the captaincy and with up to 25 players turning up for training and Taylor is looking to add some 2nd XV fixtures to the schedule to ensure everyone gets game time.
“We’ve put in place a three-year plan in place, this season is aimed at changing old playing habits and the goal of winning more games than the three they won last season,” he added.
Franklyn Paris has taken over as club President, former secretary Corrina Turpitt has become chair person and the club have established a club’ HQ at the Docks Conservative Club, where they now have their own room.
“Things are really looking up and if any new players fancy giving us a try, training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday at the Marl from 6.30pm,” said Taylor.