Nantgaredig
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Arwyn Allen is a founding member, player, secretary and past president of Nantgaredig
RFC. He recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about his long relationship with the Club,
“I used to play for the young farmers club when the Carmarthenshire Chief Constable
J.Ronald Jones suggested I should start a rugby club so I called a meeting in January 1966
and the rest is history as they say.”
“We had to apply to the Llanelli and District Rugby Union for membership which we were
accepted for and after a discussion with my mother, Elizabeth Price, who had remarried we
rented a field from her small holding to get the ball rolling and the lads playing.
Our first game was against Amman Quins, now Amman United, which we lost 6-0. Later,
when my mum sold her holding we purchased the field from her with the help of a lottery
grant. My wife Marion washed the lads kits for 21 years and I played for the club in either
prop positions from the age of 29 to 45 until I felt enough was enough.
I still get to most games and feel that this season has produced the best team and play that I
have ever seen from a Nantgaredig squad. The play and passing has been excellent. I would
like to thank everyone at the club for their contributions over the years and in particular
all the supporters who have followed the team religiously. I am looking forward to seeing
you all soon and to the challenges of next season!”
“I was raised two miles from the club before moving to the town but have always had great friends
at Nantgaredig. I played on the wing for the club from 1984 to 94 when injury and three knee
ops meant I couldn’t continue. I wouldn’t change anything though as the enjoyment, friends and
experiences have been invaluable.
After playing I joined the committee wearing many hats including chairman. This year’s team has
been exceptional and they have won the league in some style. The step up to Division 2 is going to
be a challenge but the club is up for it and it will be interesting to see how well we can compete with
the added competition of some local derbies.
The club are really well supported, demonstrated a while back when we had over 300 supporters
whilst a premiership side competing on an adjacent pitch only had 100, this speaks volumes for our
supporters.
My business Bowen Gas Care are a sponsor and I like to help out the club in any way I can and
give a little back to this great village club which has given me so much. Best wishes to everyone for
the future.”
Dewi Bowen
20 Issue 86