PENARTH
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grow in massive confidence to win
a run of games. There’s a great buzz
in the club on and off the pitch, due
to that newfound confidence on the
pitch. The want from the players
to win games and survive in the
league, resulted in us establishing a
comfortable position.
“Last season was very much a mixed
bag from having selection issues
and having to play five props and
three scrumhalves in your pack to
selection issues because there were
great numbers and having to make
choices on who to select. Our plan
now is to try and continue where we
left off this season. Pushing for a top
2/3 position is more than realistic,
but the players want to prove that
they can win the league, so that in
itself is encouraging.
“Youth rugby at this level is
massively important. These players
are the future of the club and we
are lucky that the set up in our club
is flourishing with numbers and
success. Keeping these players who
move up is a big priority.
“The club continues to develop the
relationship and transition of youth
players to the senior game. Those
eligible throughout this season have
80 Issue 87
had the opportunity to be involved
in senior games. Next season if
numbers permit, these players will
be able to bed themselves in more
hopefully within a 2nd XV.
“Penarth RFC is very much a
community club. The majority
of age grades play regular rugby
throughout the season. Relationships
between them are growing and
bonds being made.
“Player retention throughout all
levels in all clubs is a tough challenge
to overcome. So as a club, creating
the right environment is a priority.
It is our ambition to have a senior
side that competes at the highest
level achievable to the environment.
We want links and bonds between
all sections to grow and to create an
enjoyable atmosphere.”
Club Captain Rhys Morgan told
us, “As a player I joined the club
with the Under 10s, so I’ve been
involved just over twenty years. As a
supporter, my dad used to bring me
to watch most Saturdays from when
I was very young.
“The most challenging part of my
role is to try and keep team spirit
up when we’re going through a
difficult period, like we have during
this season. But seeing us battle
through it and to see where we are
at the moment has been incredibly
rewarding.
“The atmosphere at the club is the
best it has been for a long time.
Winning is a habit and we have a
very close-knit group of boys who
seem keen to keep the habit going.
It was difficult to see us finishing the
season outside of the bottom 3 at the
end of February, so to finish in the
top 6 was a remarkable achievement.
“Now a positive preseason is a must
to keep the positive attitude going.
It’s easy to say that we are going to
aim for promotion or winning the
league, but to continue to develop
the team and the club itself has to be
the priority. And maybe a little run
in the cup!
“Ultimately, our ambition has to
be to move forward and hopefully,
up the leagues. It is also important
to develop the talent that we have
coming through the youth and junior
ranks. Off the field, we want to retain
our identity in terms of our family
and community club engagement.”