MONMOUTH Rugby Club have won an award for community club of the year at Rodney Parade in Newport.

Saturday 9th July saw Rodney Parade, the home of Newport Gwent Dragons, host a rugby celebration dinner for WRU District A clubs in recognition of their achievements, both on and off the field during the 2015-16 season.

The dinner saw Monmouth Rugby Club presented with Best Community Club of the Year Award, winning the award out of 78 rugby clubs in WRU District A.

Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors and the herculean effort of all their volunteers, both on and off the field, Monmouth RFC have transformed their clubhouse into one of the most attractive venues in the area to host events for the club, businesses or private functions.

During the 2015-16 season the club played host to the Welsh Grand Slam Under 20s winning side. The pre-World Cup training camp involved billeting 32 under 20 players in local Monmouth homes with the parents and players of the young rugby section of the club for two nights. The event was a huge success for both the WRU and the club. Contributing factors also included securing the franchise to host Maidens girls rugby for ages six to 18 and the introduction of Mon Stars rugby camps during the holidays. The club has installed £65,000 worth of floodlights on Chippenham playing fields to allow them to train and play rugby on a grass playing surface - the first floodlit grass surface in the Monmouth area.

The club has recently appointed a full time rugby officer in order to work with the schools in developing rugby football union within the wider Monmouth community.

Receiving the Community Club of the Year Award on behalf of Monmouth RFC was a humbling moment for the chairman of Monmouth young rugby Jonathon Henry. The award was presented by Sir Tommy David who played in the epic Barbarians v New Zealand game in 1973 and who also represented Wales in the British Lions.

Commenting on the award, club chairman Lloyd Davies said: “The award is testament to the incredible hard work of our volunteers and committeemen who have worked tirelessly to improve the facilities at the club and participation in the game.

“We would not have been able to undertake the work that we have without the generous support of our incredible sponsors who have allowed us to completely refurbish the clubhouse, provide sponsored kit for all players, coaches and managers and to build on the coaching infrastructure at the club. 

“The WRU have been incredible throughout this whole process in providing us with grant funding and guidance with particular thanks to Greg Woods, Aled James, Lewis Roberts and Claire Coleman at the Welsh Rugby Union who have been an inspiration and their help, assistance and guidance has been invaluable.

“We are really looking forward to the forthcoming season and concentrating our efforts on developing rugby playing gentlemen and warriors and winning our league at senior level. Our focus now is very much on player and rugby development on the field of play as we have the infrastructure in place to ensure success.

“We are a community based club and everyone is welcome. We have a great family environment and we have tried to maintain a modern feel to the clubhouse where all new members are welcome. Please come along and join in the fun.”