Chairman’s Latest Address

Chairman’s Christmas Address 21st December 2024

As the holiday season approaches, and with today our last home fixture ahead of the New Year, I want to extend a warm season’s greetings to everybody involved with our wonderful Club.

Today, we welcome friends from Brecon RFC, for the first time in some time. I am personally delighted to renew old acquaintances; local derby matches in the Admiral Community Premiership having already resulted in improved attendances and in serving up healthy competition. Good for the matchday atmosphere and great for the long-term sustainability of our club. This afternoon sees third take on fourth as we near the midpoint of the season, both sides looking to build on positive results from last weekend – a real Christmas cracker! To all involved with Brecon RFC – welcome. I hope this afternoon brings good contest and healthy banter, the camaraderie and friendship that rugby offers, today’s big winner! I am particularly grateful to today’s many matchday and match ball sponsors, your support is much appreciated!

I wish to put on record my thanks to our Patron Sir Stanley for his continued generosity and interminable drive. I also want to thank our many volunteers, all of whom play a vital role in the safe, successful delivery and sustainable running of our club. Whether that’s nurturing our thriving age-group army of young people, supporting maintenance and housekeeping tasks, assisting with membership and ticketing, and / or our matchday experience – the investment of your time and efforts is crucial. Thank you, all. In support of decisions agreed at our Special General Meeting held in late November, a further ‘volunteering workshop’ will be held in mid-January, an opportunity to encourage participation. If you can offer a couple of hours, whether that’s weekly or merely from time to time, we’d love to hear from you. Please watch our social media pages for more information. Please be part of our team!

Our hosting of the Wales v Scotland 20s last weekend, offered one of my proudest moments as Chair. A wonderful couple of hours, brilliantly supported by our local community, schools and colleges. We really did put on a show, with very positive feedback from all involved.

Today marks our annual ‘Christmas Jumper Day,’ the raffle raising funds for our Minis, Juniors & Girls Section. I hope that you are all dressed appropriately and have a jingle of loose change in your pockets! With thanks too, to friends from Pantysgallog Primary School Choir, who join us to sing Christmas Carols before the game and again at half time! Thank you to Mr. Thomas, Mrs Trinder, and the team for taking time out of your weekend to attend.

In closing, I want to wish our #YoungIronmen well for this evening’s Cardiff Rugby Youth Cup Final. Denver’s men, fresh from securing a berth in the last eight of the WRU National Youth Cup last weekend with a 17-05 win away at Bonymaen, take on Old Penarthians RFC at Cardiff Arms Park – kick off 18:30. If you see our boys around the Wern throughout this afternoon, please stop and wish them well, ahead of them leaving for the capital. Go well boys! Do yourselves and our club proud! And finally, a welcome to our community of past players. I hope you have a great afternoon and evening, reminiscing in good company. For those of you still able to touch your toes or maybe just reach as far as your kneecaps, we’re arranging a VETs / Vandals game at the Wern on Friday 31 January 2025. We’ll be kicking off the Six Nations in style with a ‘semi-competitive’ run out, ahead of coming together in the club to watch Wales in Paris later that evening. Please dust off your boots and join us! Please watch our social media pages for more information. #AllezlesRouges

Merry Christmas all, have an enjoyable holiday. With my very best wishes for a peaceful, successful and happiness filled 2025.

Craig

Merthyr RFC Chairman