Sport In Profile UK Promo | Page 44

Amman United FOLLOW US ONLINE twitter.com/sportinprofile Justin James of club sponsor J James Doors, Windows & Conservatories recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine, “Boxing was my main sport up until the age of 21 when I started playing for Amman. My main position was scrum half or centre and although I have hung my boots up now I still like to help out at the club with the 2nd team squad. The club have come a long way from their struggles a few years back and the young talent coming through now is very exciting; the blend of young and old players has worked. Good luck to everyone for the future and I would just like to echo what was said to the players and supporters three years ago, `stick together and it will come’, congratulations to Amman United on a great season!” Community “We are most definitely a community club. The clubhouse is situated on the artery which runs through the community and has become the modern day church for players, ex-players and a vast number of the population in the area. It is the glue which brought thousands of friendships together many years ago and remains the central point today. The rugby speaks for itself with a varied age range and we have also, with some success, hosted a ladies team in our recent history. As for the clubhouse itself, it is host to pool, darts, pigeon club, weight watchers, choirs, the list goes on. It is arguably the most important building in the community!” Challenges “A number of our players are now in their mid to late thirties and we expect to see them officially retire over the coming years. Some of our best players over the last fifteen years are now seeking new challenges and Dean Williams and Thomas Davies have recently taken up Triathlons and have completed the Ironman challenge. Another, Gavin Lewis, hopes to become and Ironman in September 2017 in Tenby. The training demands on this do not allow for physical rugby and training matches, although they have managed both recently! Others such as Ryan Williams, Adrian Thomas and Rhys Thomas have given their all to the club over the years but are now nearing retirement age. It is anticipated that our youth and junior players will transition as well as we expect to take their places. Potentially, we head into higher leagues with less experienced players, but this is a challenge that our coaches will be more than prepared for and will manage well. Off the field, I am sure that the financial constraints at grassroots level will also continue within Welsh rugby for a number of years but the club will continue to battle as it always has to ensure that it remains with its head above the water ensuring it remains as the focal point for the community.” Ambitions “Our ambitions are to progress and compete consistently at a higher league level, to continue with the youth and junior rugby development by keeping players at the club, to establish a second XV (Amman Quins) that plays regularly, as it has in the past, to maintain its standing within the local community, to continue to seek donations from businesses and organisations, to effectively utilise the new £150,000 refurbishment of the clubhouse function room and to ensure that new chapters continue to be written for the next Amman United book!” 44