Team of the week THIS WEEK: Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy Youths (U19’s)
WHEN was the team formed?
Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy itself is a relatively young club, established in the 1970s. The club led a nomadic life playing at Pont y Pant (Dolwyddelan) and different locations in and around Llanrwst before purchasing the park at Pant Carw, Trefriw. Then it fielded just a senior side, but as the game’s popularity grew, the youths (under 19s) team evolved naturally in 1992 under the watchful eye and coaching of John Lloyd Roberts (Farchwel), Mark Jones (Menyn) and Elwyn Williams (Penloyen). WHERE do you play and practice?
As with all Nant’s 15 teams, we play at Pant Carw. We practice Thursdays from 7- 8.30pm in all weathers at the ground and increase training nights prior to important fixtures. WHO is the team’s manager/ coach?
Part of the club’s overall philosophy and development is to “Be the very best we possibly can” (without being professional or have ambition beyond our station), after all we are a community club. We believe we have a strong coaching, team and management structure. It includes: Nick Jones (senior/backs coach), Dewi Roberts (Farchwel – forwards coach), Eilir Vaughan (team manager), Neil Pringle (team administrator), Rona Thomas (fixture secretary) and Steffi Minkus-John and Brenden Bithell (medical support). HOW has your season gone so far?
We play in the North Wales Youth League Division One. Nant are the current 2013-14 champions and (at the time of writing) are again top of the division, having played nine, won nine, scoring 378 points conceding 66. WHO are your team sponsors?
They say stability breeds success. This is certainly true of the partnership (now its second threeyear cycle agreement) we have with long-term sponsors, Wyn and Paula Williams, of Tir a Mor, Llanrwst, a successful fish and chips shop and crestaurant in the town. They have a pro-active, hands-on approach to their sponsorship responsibilities, are involved in all aspects of kit design and layout, attend official functions and when able, attend fixtures. We are very, very grateful for their generous sponsorship and support which all helps to develop a successful formula. ANY players gone to bigger things?
NC Youth has a good record of player development/achievement. Dion Jones (Wales U20s and Scarlets), James Jones, Carwyn ap Myrddin and Llywarch ap Myrddin (RGC first team), Tomos Oliver (scholarship Cardiff Met /Myerscough College), Cai Jones (scholarship Kirkham Grammer) are among our success stories. YOUR biggest achievements?
Notable achievements include winning the Scarlets Region League and Youth Cup. The present era (last three years) we won promotion from North Wales Division Two by being unbeaten throughout the season, lifted the North Wales Plate. were 2014 Division One champions, and made the Welsh National League play-offs. In March, we were contacted by BBC’s Wyn Evans (Go Compare) who was on a mission to find young musical talent across Wales. Such was the vein of gold at Nant Youths, a programme was recorded at the club and Cardiff studio/venues where Wyn taught our young ambassadors to sing opera. Since the TV screening the lads have been inundated with requests to give recitals! PLANS for the future of the team?
We always strive to better ourselves, technically as coaches, and administrators, as individual players and a squad. Management and players and agree and set targets at the start of each season. We are on track to achieve our 2014-15 goals. Beyond this we want each player to achieve his individual maximum potential, whatever that may be.