Our Ethos...

Cwmbran mini/junior section, established in 1986, Is one of the largest in Wales. It sustains year in year out 9 teams from under 8’s to u16’s. With the enthuses on players pure fun and enjoyment. We are not a win by any means club or section we pride our self’s on being here for the children running a family atmosphere.

We at Cwmbran have had many successful season’s throughout the section’s illustrious lifetime numerous teams year in year out make it through the district cup competitions and are generally successful on tours and in tournaments they attend. This is a bonus for the teams and the section if the hard work is put in on the training paddock and then if the team is good enough then they will reap the rewards and if not and they still enjoy themselves so be it everyone should be happy.

The cliché is its not the winning it’s the taking part we still believe this to be so, however if your good enough and you’re winning enjoy it but when you lose to a better team on the day and you gave you’re all. That’s all we can ask as players, parents and supporters.

Over the past Cwmbran has produced some talented players who are now plying their trade all over Wales and beyond Ian Gough Welsh international and now with the ospreys regional side started within Cwmbran Mini/Junior section also Ryan Powell ex Cardiff-Worcester. We also have numerous players playing within the top flight of welsh leagues to date and also closer at home where many of the current senior and youth have come through the Cwmbran mini/junior section.

THE CLUB PRIDE ITS SELF ON DEVELOPING HOME GROWN TALENT.

This only strengthens and develops local community spirit this is what grass root rugby is all about and we do it well.
The sections coaching staff is full off talented ex rugby players a lot of whom started their own careers off with Cwmbran or played here at one time or another. From the u16’s we have Jeff Gould ex club senior captain, Gareth Gould who has been with the club for 25 years Kenny waters another ex senior player and also ex welsh international hooker. The under 15’s have Gary Morgan. u14’s Martin Goode, u13’s Darryl Bates &Chris bailey. U12’s Mark Smithy, u11’s Marc Doughty, u10’s another ex senior captain John Hopkins, u9’s Graham Kinsella, U8’s David Saunders. We don’t just want to develop players for our senior section and rugby in general we also want to develop future coaches from within. Along with these ex players we have many other quality coaches who week in week out put their squads first and their self’s last they give up time to develop other peoples children in a sport they all love. Backed up by the silent hero’s who also assist coaching, bravely referee, or are 1st aiders, or are the parent rep, team manger, or an officer as well as on the general committee
Plus a member of the newly formed fundraising committee.

WITHOUT ALL THESE WE WOULD NOT SURVIVE AND ARE PROUD TO HAVE ONE AND ALL IN OUR SECTION!

Our biggest assets are of cause all our squad player members in all age groups. They are a credit to us and Gwent and Welsh rugby in general.

 End of Season Report Under 8’s

The team have all played exceptionally well this season as they start on their journey into rugby.
The season started off slowly, while we started to prepare the boys for their first match. By the end of September, we decided to try them in their first match.
With only 7 players registered, we had to pray for fitness and no injuries. We headed off to Monmouth for our first match of the season. The parents and children were all equally nervous.
Sam put the first score on the board, with his first try of the season. Nathan, who surprised himself and his family, quickly followed this by getting straight into the game to score his very first try! Joe Gormley started his season well with a run that took him almost the full length of the pitch. Unfortunately, he was travelling in the wrong direction! The coach gathered him up and sent him in the right direction, but the moment was lost and so was the try! Joe has now been renamed, “Forrest Gump”.
The boys managed to secure a well deserved first win away from home at Monmouth with a final score of 6 to 4.
The registration cards came piling in and by the following week, we had a few more players. Lloyd Saunders made his debut against Llantwit Fadre and scored his first of many tries in another away game to help secure a 9- 4 win.
The boys went from strength to strength and soon started to get the hang of this rugby lark. But it was only a matter of time before they lost their first game with a score of 3 to 2, when they were challenged by Ebbw Vale.
This seemed to start a series of defeat and the following 4 games were lost. However, the boys, determined to bounce back, with more players registered, started on a long journey to success and began to win all their following games.
The New Year brought new promises and the youngsters showed great promise in their newly developed skills. Many games have been won, with only 4 being lost since the start of 2008. With their continued dedication, positive attitude and sportsmanship, we hope they will win many more games next season. It is always difficult when you are just starting out at something, especially a sport that you have to work at as part of a team.
They have continued to develop throughout the season and their enthusiasm and teamwork was reflected on tour in Burnham-on-sea. The under 8’s have, at such a young age, done us proud. They have proved it possible to develop their skills and play a game with such a positive attitude.
Next year we know they will work hard in whatever matches they play. Keep up the good work!

Well done to all the members of the under 8’s!