One of Wales’ oldest rugby clubs is gearing up to mark its 150th anniversary next season, reports Pete Walters.
Monmouth RFC was founded in 1873 when a schoolmaster at the boys’ school introduced the game to the town.
And with the current rugby season drawing to a close, all sections at the club can reflect with pride on the performances of their young 1st XV squad in the top Welsh East Division 1, and look forward to a landmark year.
The club is planning a whole host of events and initiatives for next season, which will be completed in May and June 2023 with a tour to Australia and a summer ball.
Club president Byron Hapgood said they are also planning a dedicated website to include team and individual memorabilia, which will be added to throughout the season, plus a community and schools arts competition next autumn to celebrate the club’s history.
Events will kick off on August 22 with the annual Monmouth RFC and Berry Hill RFC Rugby Festival.
There will also be a Grand Celebration Anniversary Dinner at the Bridges Community Centre on November 22, and it is hoped to hold a combined choir concert featuring the London Welsh and Monmouth male voice choirs on February 23, the day of the Wales v England game.
The club also aims to host celebration games against Monmouthshire County RFC, Crawshays Welsh RFC and London Welsh RFC, before the much-anticipated trip to Bangalow RFC Down Under, and the Summer Ball in June/July.
Commemorative kit to include club shirts, ties, jumpers, and kit bags will also be available, with more details posted when finalised.
Byron added: “The club will welcome initiatives and in particular will welcome community involvement to include membership and sponsorship support for what will be a special season.
“Those interested should please contact Andrew ‘Spud’ Davies, Andrew Lewis, Dewi Lane or Mark Jones at Monmouth RFC.”
And he said: “With the rugby season now drawing to an end all sections at Monmouth RFC can reflect with some pride as regards the performances of their young 1st XV squad in the top Welsh East Division 1 - having gained the respect of all those teams they have played and gained respect of all those who have watched, having achieved notable results throughout season.
“The Druids XV have won through to the final of the Dragons Plate competition, and the young Rugby and Mini Section has developed well throughout the season, with of particular note the success of U12s Tigers Squad, who have won through to the final of the Dragons Cup.
“Looking forward to next season, all sections will be filled with optimism, with the club membership excited in anticipation at plans already in hand to celebrate their 150-year anniversary, Monmouth being one of the oldest established clubs in Welsh rugby.”
There are still a handful of matches and events to complete this season, starting this Saturday (April 16) when the Ted Senior Foundation host a charity match between a Monmouth Combination XV and the TSF Barbarians, kick-off 2.30pm, with all welcome to watch and share memories and a drink afterwards in the clubhouse.
The 1st XV are also away to Brynmawr in Div 1 East on Saturday, April 23, kick-off 2.30pm, followed by The Young Rugby/Mini Rugby Festival on Chippenham Fields and Sports Ground on Sunday, April 24.
To contact the club, go to www.monmouthrfc.com or its Facebook page or call Andrew Davies on 07966 046488.