Players all kitted out thanks to sponsors
SKEWEN RFC’S junior section is working hard to capture the heart of the community.
More than 120 children, aged six to 14, turned up at Skewen RFC’S home ground, Tennant Park, to unveil the mini and junior rugby sections’ new kit.
Just five years ago, the mini and junior section were struggling for numbers.
Now the club boasts a team in each age group from under-7s to under-14s, with a total of 165 children on their books.
Luke Read, aged eight, who plays for the under-9s team, said: “I really enjoy coming to rugby here, I came at first because one of my friends from school played for Skewen and now I’ve made loads of new friends, too. I can’t wait to wear our new kit this season.”
Carl Jenkins, the new chair of Skewen RFC Minis and Juniors, said each team’s kit cost around £1,000 and, without the support of families and local businesses, buying new kits for all the teams would not have been possible.
He added: “The support we’ve had from our sponsors has just been outstanding at what has been a really difficult time for businesses throughout the area and I can’t thank them enough; it wouldn’t have been possible without their generosity.”
The club is also playing an active part in the community; an Ospreys in the Community rugby camp was held at the club in the
school holidays and volunteers have painted the barriers around the main pitch in the club colours to improve its look.
Carl added: “This last year has been a tough one for the community in Skewen, not only with the pandemic, but with the awful flooding from the mine shaft in January, we hope the club can play an active role in helping the community recover and get its mojo back; we welcome and encourage anyone to come along and join our teams; boys, girls, no experience is needed – and we can offer a cracking looking kit!”
Kit sponsors include A1 Loo Hire, Admiral, Amberon, ASW Scaffolding, Barber Bro’s, Carmarthenshire Garden Buildings, Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, Dragonfly Therapies, Electric Center, Elite Pathways, Fast Fluid Power, Hale, Heatlex Group, Hudson Blu, James Brothers Plumbing & Renovation, John Weaver Contractors, Mitchells Electrical, The DPF Doctor, Pengwin, Phil Thomas Opticians, Plumbwise, Ron’s Recovery & Repair, Swansea Boiler Company, T&T Contractors and Vbox Boilers, Sportec.