News

24 June 2019 / Club News

Bridgend Athletic RFC Season 2019-2020


 

Having finished 3rd in National League Div 1 West Central in season 2017 – 2018 and 3rd in Division 1 East Central last season, for logistical reasons the WRU have moved Bridgend Athletic RFC back to Div 1 West Central for this coming season 2019-2020.

 

The Athletic will find a much-changed league with only 5 other teams remaining from season 2017-2018 – local sides Tondu and Kenfig Hill along with last season’s runners up and National Plate finalists Bonymaen, Ammanford & Waunarlwydd. Newcomers included promoted sides Nantyfyllon and Birchgrove along with Dunvant, Skewen, Brynamman & Glynneath.

 

The two sides Maesteg Quins & Ystalyfera ahead of the Athletic in 2017-2018 have subsequently won the league and play offs and been promoted to the Championship. The Athletic – the last team to win at Ystalyfera in April 2018 have ambitions to follow their example but know statistically over the past 5 seasons they may need to win at least 19 of the 22 league games and secure a minimum of 10 try bonus points.

 

Mindful of this fact the coaches have consulted with senior players concerning poor starts and good ends to the previous two seasons. When preseason training starts on July 2nd, they will be gearing their preparation so that when the season starts on Sept 7th, they will look to build on the momentum of finishing last season with 10 straight wins and have the players physically and mentally tuned for the off.

 

The season kicks off with a home game against Ammanford on September 7th and follows on the following week the 14th Sept with the first of 6 local derbys away at Kenfig Hill. Other derby games Kenfig Hill Home Dec 28th, Nantyfyllon Home Oct 12th, Away Jan 18th and Tondu Away Nov 9th and Home Feb 29th. The 1ST Round of the National Plate Cup competition is September 21st.

 

Team Manger Paul Hearne has arranged preseason friendlies with Hull RFC on the Brewery Field on August 17th and Away at St Joseph’s on August 24th.The Bridgend Athletic Generals will be looking to arrange a Development game on August 31st.

 

 The same experienced coaching team of Head Coach Wales B International John Apsee, Athletic Stalwarts Stuart Morris & David Williams & Wales International Gerald Williams are in place. They will be looking to strengthen the squad by approaching former players and new players to join the push for promotion. For information contact Team Manager Paul Hearne 07970348065. Flanker Ben Howe will captain the team for the fourth successive season.

 

Following a series of internal club meetings between coaching and senior playing members of the 1ST, 2ND and Youth XV’s it is the intention to align a pathway from youth to senior rugby geared to player development and all senior and youth sides training on the same nights and times. The senior teams will be able on occasions to call on appropriate youth team players to aid both the team and the players’ transition to senior rugby.

 

The 2nd XV are rebranding as the Bridgend Athletic Generals as a tribute to the late Athletic Chairman Andrew (The General) Tellem who did so much with age group, youth and 2nd XV rugby at BARFC. As well as senior coaches and manager Liam Griffiths, Lewis Downs, Harry Griffiths & Rhys Jones will be looking after team affairs. The team are awaiting Ospreys / WRU confirmation of fixtures this season, and hope they are aligned to 1ST XV fixtures.

 

The Youth retain the latter part of last season’s coaching team Head Coach Chris Thomas assisted by Jonathon Davies, Huw Lewis & Paul Yardley. They will be boosted by last season’s Ospreys U16 Cup Finalists who Thomas, Davies & Lewis brought through age group rugby, so there will be continuity over the coming seasons. Many of those players tasted youth team rugby last season so will be aware of the challenges ahead of them. The coaches also intend arranging some U17 fixtures during the season. The team will be captained by hooker Jack Obbard who represented the Ospreys U18 side last season. Four of this coming season’s youth squad Xander Molitika, Ryan Neagle, Tomos Florence & Joe Watts have been selected for this season’s Ospreys Under 18’s squad.

 

Youth preseason training commences on Thursday June 27rh at Newbridge Fields and will then track the seniors on successive Tuesdays and Thursdays. The team are awaiting their fixture list but will be competing preseason on Aug 17th in the Caerphilly 10s Tournament and August the 24th in the Nelson 15s tournament before playing Machen Away on Friday August 30th.

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