Newcastle Emlyn
Andrew James of club sponsor Gwyn James & Sons Builders
Merchants recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “I started
watching Newcastle Emlyn as a seventeen year old and
started playing in my early 20s. I was more of a 2nd team
player and after a back injury put an end to my playing days I
continued my involvement with the club on their committee.”
“I have held various positions with the club over the years
including vice chairman but one of my favourite roles was
as team manager initially under Huw Jones and then Kevin
Phillips, a former Wales international rugby union player, a
hooker, he played club rugby for Neath RFC.
“He also captained the Welsh national team for two matches
in the 1990 season, winning both games. I learned a lot under
their tutelage and although I never saw myself as a first team
coach I progressed to becoming a level 2 coach. This led to
me initiating the clubs junior section seventeen years ago, as
it is in its current form, with WRU development officer Andy
Edwards. Two thirds of our very successful Welsh youth
winning side went on to become 1st team players at Em