About us
BARFC 1st XV are a recently promoted Championship club playing our rugby in the East Division. Our Generals XV (2nd Team) play in National League Division 5 East Central. We have an Youth XV and Mini & Junior Teams representing age groups from 8 to 16 years of age.
We are Affiliated to Ogwr Hawks Girls rugby hub and Bridgend Knights touch rugby Teams.
Our History
BARFC were founded in March 1972 by Bridgend Youth players – current Chairman Phillip Rees and a previous Secretary, the late Brian Lewis – who wanted to keep a team of bonded youth players together. Together with the Ath’s first Chairman Jeff Jenkins and Fixture Secretary Clive Easterbrook, they put a squad together and played their inaugural game against Nantyfyllon in the September. In 1975-76 season formed their own youth team.
The legendary Dr Jack Matthews officially opened the clubhouse in September 1982. This was a nostalgic event for Dr Matthews as the building was his family home during the time he was a record-breaking athlete at Bridgend Grammar school. This before he joined Cardiff to become one of the most famous of Welsh Internationals and British Lions of all time.
In 1983/84 the club was admitted to full membership of the Welsh Rugby Union.
A mini/junior section was started in 1991 and has developed over the years into a thriving and successful section of the club. . With current Chairman Dean Brown at the helm, these days over 250 youngsters regularly play on a Sunday morning, proudly wearing the green and gold of the Athletic. The standard of mini/junior rugby at the Athletic is recognised throughout Wales and the British Isles and is reflected in the number of tournaments invited to and subsequently won.
Season 2024 / 2025 our 2nd XV were admitted to the National Leagues, playing in Div 6 East Central. Also season 2024/2025 our 1st XV became the first senior Ath side to play at the Millenium Stadium in the Div 1 Cup Final. The also reached the Championship East by winning the Div 1 West Central league and also won the District Cup.
Season 2025/2026 Welsh Cup Round 1
Season 2024/2025 Final Table
