What a turnout for training
A SMALL Welsh rugby club estimate almost 300 people turned up for a training session earlier this month, with a couple of hundred more watching from the sidelines.
Tondu RFC runs 16 teams and is used to big numbers rocking up to prepare for matches.
But with the club celebrating its 140th anniversary this season, it decided to organise a photograph that captured one huge training turnout for posterity.
“We think it’s a great picture,” said club chairman Graham Thomas.
“The club is 140 years old this November and we wanted to do something a bit different to mark the anniversary. We have plenty of other things planned but this shot captures a moment in time and a lot of people have said they didn’t realise how many were involved at the club.”
Tondu pride themselves as being at the heart of their community and are seen by many as a model club. Last year they were named as community club of the year by the Ospreys, with one nomination describing them as “phenomenal” due to their efforts to promote junior rugby.
The range of teams operating out of their Pandy Park base is eye-opening.
At a time when some are struggling for numbers, the Division One West Central club, who have JPR Williams as their patron, run a Mini Wheelers operation (pre under-sevens), through to five further minis teams, five junior sides, two youth XVs, two senior teams and The Titans, a women’s side.
“We’re massively proud to run so many teams and have so many people actively involved in the game here,” said Thomas.
“A few years ago we hit financial problems but those have been put right and now we have no gaps in our set-up, with every age group catered for.
“A problem for Welsh rugby is there can be quite a drop-off around the age of 16 because it can be intimidating for boys of that age to step up and play youth rugby against others who might in some cases be three years older.
“What we’ve tried to do is lessen the drop-off by arranging for our under-16s to train with the youth setup. It then isn’t such a big step up when they officially become part of the youth scene themselves.
“We just want everyone involved to be proud to be part of Tondu Rugby Club and feel they are a part of something community based.
“For that picture, there were around 300 on the field and a further 200 or so parents and friends watching from a bank. We hope it says a lot about what we’re about.”