Mr Peter Morgan
The club are saddened by the loss last weekof former player and former club chairman Mr Peter Morgan.
Our condolences go to his widow Angela and children Alison, Sarah and Stephen. As well as Peter his two brothers Keith and Andrew also played for the Athletic.
A minute’s silence in his memory was held before kick off in the Athletics’ fixture against Carmarthen Quins.
The funeral is at Coity Crematorium on Tuesday 22nd January at 2.30pm.
FRIENDS OF BRIDGEND ATHLETIC RFC
100 CLUB
BUMPER DRAW
SEPTEMBER 2007
1st £ 150 133 JOHN HUGHES
2nd £ 60 104 GLAN HATHAWAY
3rd £ 30 125 MAL HUGHES
THANKS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE 100 CLUB FOR SUPPORTING THE “ATH”.
MEMBERSHIP FORMS BEHIND THE BAR
Summary of last 12 month's winners
FRIENDS OF BARFC – 100 CLUB RESULTS
October 2006 1st £ 70 022 Steve Pilliner
2nd 30 094 Mike Evans
3rd 20 121 John Hosking
November 2006 1st £ 70 040 SL & A Cole
2nd 30 043 Bob Prime
3rd 20 035 Graham Phillips
December 2006 1st £ 70 017 Glyn Rees
2nd 30 054 Mel T Davies
3rd 20 068 Neil Thomas
January 2007 1st £ 70 001 Gareth Davies
2nd 30 032 Sian Davies
3rd 20 105 David Fletcher
February 2007 1st £ 70 027 Martin Miller
2nd 30 092 Gavin Hall
3rd 20 002 Gary Jenkins
March 2007 1st £140 006 David Burt
2nd 60 022 Steve Pilliner
3rd 40 125 Mal Hughes
April 2007 1st £ 80 023 Roy Huntley
2nd 45 138 Paul Rees
3rd 25 134 Lee Grabham
May 2007 1st £ 80 083 Phil Goodwin
2nd 45 089 Irene Davies
3rd 25 101 Bob Lewis
June 2007 1st £ 80 050 Tim Wood
2nd 45 005 Maureen Evans
3rd 25 143 G A Evans
July 2007 1st £ 80 099 Tom Hearne
2nd 45 052 Stuart Morris
3rd 25 043 Bob Prime
August 2007 1st £ 80 094 Mike Evans
2nd 45 133 John Hughes
3rd 25 068 Neil Thomas
Stuart's Kenny's current injury situation - Aug 25th.
Stuart had shoulder reconstruction injury last week at the Bridgend Clinic which has left him with a 200mm scar. His shoulder will be completely immobilised in a sling for 6 weeks and he wont be able to make full use of it for 5-6 months following physio and rehab. This is a blow to Stuart, although he has been carrying the injury for almost 2 seasons, he didn't realise how serious it was.
He and his family wish the Club good luck for the forthcoming season and Stu will be at Newbridge Fields to cheer the club on whenever possible..
The club wish the popular scrum half well with his rehabilitation and look forward to seeing him at our games, and eventually back in the green and gold Athletic jersey.
NEW ATHLETIC TEAM MANAGER - 2007-2008
The club would like to thank retiring Team Manger Mr Wayne Yardley for the excellent job he has done over a number of seasons, since retiring from a long and distinguished playing career with the Athletic. Fortunately the Athletic have a very able replacement in Mr Keith Thomas to take over the reins. Keith has shown great commitment to the club and was voted Clubman of the Year for last season. He is a previous Youth Team Manager.
FRIENDS OF BRIDGEND ATHLETIC RFC – 100 CLUB
PRIZE WINNERS
JUNE 2007
1. £80 050 TIM WOOD
2. £45 005 MAUREEN EVANS
3. £25 143 G A EVANS (Haywain
Court)
JULY 2007
1. £80 099 TOM HEARNE
2. £45 052 STUART MORRIS
3. £25 043 BOB PRIME
AUGUST 2007.
1. £80 094 MIKE EVANS
2. £45 133 JOHN HUGHES
3. £25 068 NEIL THOMAS
MANY THANKS TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS
SEPT - DOUBLE PRIZE MONEY DRAWER
MEMBERSHIP FORMS - BEHIND CLUB BAR
SUPPORT ATH RUGBY FOR £2 / MONTH
Coaches Pre Season Views
Its getting to that time of year again, and how it comes around quickly, pre season training is just around the corner and as coaches we are looking forward to meeting up with the boys and putting them through their paces in preparation for what is likely to be another testing season for the club. Last years exploits are now a distant memory and will count for nothing once we reach September.
As usual, while we wait for summer to arrive, we find ourselves in “silly season time” a phrase we as coaches and management use in reference to the “vultures and magpies” currently hovering over our young and talented “chicks” looking for easy pickings to carry off to their nests for “further development”.
As coaches, we take great satisfaction in seeing players develop and realise their potential, and as a club we take pride in seeing “ Ath” boys doing well at higher levels of the Welsh game, non more so than seeing Byrnie gain his Welsh cap. However it must be balanced with the club’s own expectations to be a competitive force at 1st Division level of the Welsh leagues on a regular basis. To achieve this, we need players committed to the cause, who can gain invaluable experience on the pitch, providing them with the necessary grounding for the future.
The coming season will be a huge challenge, to maintain our position at the top of the Division 1West tree, but as coaches and management it is a challenge we are all up for.
Bridgend Athletic RFC REVIEW 2006-2007
Senior and Youth Training is starting at Newbridge Fields at 6.30pm on Tues 3rd July and thereafter every Tues and Thurs.All players new and old are welcome to attend. Senior Coaches Huw Hathaway, David Williams and Paul Yardley will be again be on board, assisted by Peter Barry and Tony Griffiths for the 2nd XV. Phil Rees and Anthony Woodward will be coaching the Youth Team. The club would like to thank two of last season’s Youth Coaches Steve Penry Ellis and Mark Davies who are stepping down after 3 years in the position. The club hope to emulate or better last season’s achievements at all levels throughout the club.
In Season 2006-2007 Bridgend Athletic Senior, Youth and Mini and Junior Sections all enjoyed their best ever Season.The Senior side finished a very credible 4th in their first season on their return to Division 1West of the Asda League, and reached the 5th Round of the Konica Minolta Cup. The 2nd XV were runners up in Division 1 of the District League. The Youth won the Welsh Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history. They followed this up by winning the District Cup and successfully defending the Leco Tournament in Italy.
4 players Rhys Webb, Luke Hathaway, Phillip Price and Tom Williams from the Youth and Junior Sections of the Club were in the Wales U19 World Cup squad while Kyle Maiden was on stand by. Jack Shaw was capped at U18 level.
The Junior Sections also enjoyed great success. The Under 12, 15 and 16 Sides won their Osprey’s Cup Finals, the Under14’s were losing finalists and the Under 13,s won the Plate Final. The Under 15’s won all their games, while the Under 14’s only lost 1, scoring 1147 points for with only 89 against.
The Mini’s also had a magnificent Season. The Under 9’s won all their games, while the U10’S scored 1331 points for with 156 against.
In both the sections all teams won over 80% of their fixtures.
Full Statistics below
|
Team |
Achievements |
P |
W |
D |
L |
P.F |
P.A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st XV |
4TH Asda League Div 1
5TH Rd K.M Cup |
27 |
16 |
1 |
10 |
686 |
539 |
|
2nd XV |
Champions District R.U. |
21 |
15 |
- |
6 |
672 |
332 |
|
Youth |
Won
Welsh Youth Cup,
District Cup
Leco – Italy Tournament |
29 |
24 |
1 |
4 |
757 |
275 |
|
U16 |
Won
Ospreys Cup |
18 |
15 |
1 |
2 |
400 |
169 |
|
U15 |
Won - Ospreys Cup
R.U. – Nelson Tournament
R.U.SouthCoastTournament |
21 |
21 |
- |
- |
626 |
82 |
|
U14 |
R.U - Ospreys Cup
Won – Abergavenny Tourn
Won –Garndiffaith Tourn |
31 |
30 |
- |
1 |
1147 |
89 |
|
U13 |
Won – Ospreys Plate Cup |
38 |
32 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
|
U12 |
Won – Ospreys Cup
Won – Cwmavon Tournament
R.U. Bridgend Ath Tourn
R.U. Hornets Tournament
R.U. Abergavenny Tourn |
41 |
36 |
2 |
3 |
707 |
164 |
|
U11 |
Won Bridgend Athletic, Hornets and Cwmavon Tournaments |
20 |
15 |
1 |
4 |
673 |
156 |
|
U10 |
Won Bridgend Athletic, Hornets and Cwmavon Tournaments |
48 |
44 |
3 |
1 |
1331 |
156 |
|
U9 |
Won Bridgend Athletic, Hornets, Cwmavon and Rhydyfelin Tournaments |
43 |
43 |
- |
- |
245 |
28 |
|
U8 |
Won Cwmavon, Hornets and Rhydyfelin Tournaments |
44 |
39 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRIDGEND ATHLETIC PRESENTATION EVENING
Sat – June 9th BRIDGEND RECREATION CENTRE
Bridgend Athletic recently held their Annual Presentation Night at Bridgend Recreation Centre. Club Chairman Terry Coles thanked everybody who had contributed, from seniors down to Mini levels, for the Club having their best ever season. In particular he thanked the many Club Sponsors, Coaches, Players, Committees, Match Day Officials and Spectators. The ladies section of Maureen Evans, Sheena Lewis and Joyce Sutton were recognised for providing the excellent after match meals, and Club Stewardess Cheryl Pound and her bar staff were thanked for their contribution in supplying refreshments.
Committee men Steve Lyons and Tony Mustoe deserve thanks for being the main organisers of the evening, and thanks to Robert Howley and A.M. Carwyn Jones for presenting the Awards. Senior and Youth Awards:-
PLAYER OF YEAR– ROBERT COLES
BEST FORWARD - CHRIS WHITCOMBE
FLOATING (DARYL DYKE MEM) AWARD – DAN APSEE
CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR (Jeff Jenkins Mem Award) – KEITH THOMAS
YOUTH PLAYER OF YEAR – DAI PRITCHARD
BEST FORWARD - BEN HOWE
YOUTH CLUBMAN - TOM PENRY-ELLIS
CAPTAINS AWARDS
1ST XV – SIMON MUSTOE
2ND XV – RHYS JONES
YOUTH – DAI PRICE AND JOHNNY JONES
DAVID DAVISONAPPOINTED 4TH TRUSTEE
David Davison has been appointed to replace the Late Jeff Jenkins as a Club Trustee. He joins David Burt, Peter Woods and Malcolm Sawyer.
David is currently in charge of organising the club photograph display and has recently become involved in raising Sponsorship for the Club He is organising the Banner Sponsorship down the Fields on Match Days.
David has given us a few words on his Brisgend Athletic backgroud.
I got to know a number of the newly formed Athletic players and commitee when I passed my WRU exams and refereed them in a few games and started training with them at Bryntirion. After a couple of seasons I realised that I wasn't going to challenge Clive Norling and Clive Eastbrook over a couple of pints bribed me to help start up a Youth team.I ended up being appointed Youth Secretary in 1976 and did this job and committeeman for 7 years. When I started we were based in Bridgend Rugby Club,then moved to the Cambrian Hotel (now the Roof) for one season then bought the WEXA(present club). Players and Commitee worked tremendously hard to transform this rundown club to new BARFC headquarters but they were great times. Unfortunately I produced 2 girls and no boys so pressures in transporting daughters to dancing, singing and swimming etc instead of rugby. However I have remained a member and supporter of the club for over 30years and it is a priviledge and honour to be appointed a club trustee following that great club stalwart Jeff Jenkins.
YOUTH TEAM COACH VACANCY / VACANCIES
SEASON 2007-2008
The club would like to thank Mr Mark Davies and Mr Steve Penry Ellis for their contributions to coaching the Athletic Youth side over the past few seasons. Both are stepping down at the end of this season.
Applicants to work alongside Mr Phil Rees- who will be remaining as a Youth Coach -should be sent to Club Secretary Mr Roy Huntley by Sat March 3rd.
Applicants need to include a brief description of their playing and coaching credentials.
PHILLIP PRICE, RHYS WEBB, KYLE MAIDEN & LUKE HATHAWAY - SELECTED -WALES U19 SQUAD
The club would like to congratulate prop Phillip Price, scrum half Rhys Webb,lock Kyle Maiden and last season’s Youth Full Back Luke Hathaway-now with Newport- on their selection for the Wales Under 19 FIRA Squad for the Home International U19 and World Cup U19 Squad. Rhys is the son of former Athletic stalwart Paul Webb, and Luke the son of former Athletic full back Huw Hathaway, who now coaches the current First Team Squad along with David Williams and Paul Yardley. Phillip a local player has joined the Athletic Youththis season. Kyle while still eligible for the Youth Team has made 11 1st XV appearances this season.
Press Release
Bridgend Athletic RFC
This Saturday February 17th will possibly see Bridgend Athletic RFC 1st and Youth sides top Division 1 West of the Asda League, and Division A of the Welsh Youth League. In both cases the top teams Bonymaen and Bonymaen Youth are the sides they have to overcome, in mouth watering home fixtures at Newbridge Fields.
Bonymaen are the current Division 1 Champions and lead the Athletic by two points with a game in hand. They have played 16 games with 378 points for and 226 against, crossing for 42 tries. The Athletic have 370 points for 288 against and are the Division’s leading try scorers with 45 tries. A potentially high scoring game, with the Athletic defending an unbeaten 9 match winning home sequence this season, is in the offing, to hopefully attract a large crowd. Coaches Huw Hathaway, David Williams and Paul Yardley set the newly promoted side a mid table target for the season. Their young side have confounded all at the club, and are now targeting a top three finish. They also reached the fifth round of the Konica Minolta Cup.
Whereas the majority of Division 1 West sides are semi professional, with wage bills up to £80,000 per annum, the Athletic rely entirely on an Amateur approach and the loyalty and team spirit of the players they have developed. 30 of the 33 players who have donned the Athletic shirt in Div 1 West this season have at least played for the Athletic Youth side. Some have come all the way through the Under 8- Under 16 age groups, and Youth team. Currently the Athletic have 256 registered Mini & Junior players and are extremely grateful to the commitment of players, coaches, committee officials and parents, for making that section of the club so successful. This was recognised, when the Secretary of the Mini Section Mandy Pickford, was voted Club Person of the Year for last season. Current Welsh International Lee Byrne started with the Athletic Under 8 side and played at all levels including Senior Level at the club. Due to the hard work of Youth Coaches Phil Rees, Mark Davies and Steve Penry-Ellis last season 5 Athletic Youth players won Wales Under 18 caps, and 4 players Luke Hathaway, Kyle Maiden, Phillip Price and Rhys Webb have been selected for the current Wales Under 19 FIRA World Cup squad.
The success of the club is all the more remarkable as the coaches and players have to work with sub standard training facilities. BCBC in a meeting with club officials and A.M. Mr Carwyn Jones, have agreed to release money that was set aside, to upgrade the training facilities at Newbridge Fields. They promised in that meeting to have a new training field with floodlights in place for the commencement of season 2007-2008. The club are also communicating with the Council to upgrade the antiquated changing rooms that are in a very poor state of repair, offering to assist with the repairs. They are easily the worse in the Borough and probably the worse the Athletic have encountered, as they have progressed through the leagues. It is a constant source of embarrassment and many clubs have complained about them – even suggesting we should not be allowed to compete in Division 1 West, unless we upgrade our facilities. With the club offering so many of the youth of Bridgend a healthy sporting life, it deserves the support of the Borough.
The current team is very young. Only scrum half John Doherty and centre Stuart Morris are over 25. Five of the players who have turned out for the senior side are still eligible to play Youth Rugby. Club captain hooker Simon Mustoe, who led the side to promotion to Div 1 West last season, at the age of 22, is the youngest ever Athletic captain. Stuart Morris is the leading point’s scorer with 141 points, followed by outside half Stephen Lewis on 92 points. The leading try scorers are wing Rhodri Davies 14, centre Robert Coles 12 and full back Marc Bennett with 10 tries. Mustoe and No 8 Dan Apsee have played in all 17 league games. Other major appearances – Robert Coles, Stuart Morris and Neil Thomas 16, Stephen Lewis 15, Rhodri Davies, Carl Gregory, Marc Bennett and Chris Whitcombe 14 and Andrew Brown and Jonathon Stoker 13.
 |
|
Mr Graham Hill and Mr Steve Cottingham Directors of Kingfisher Developments(Wales) Ltd present a set of 1st TEAM JERSEYS to Club Chairman Mr Terry Coles. |
Tribute to Daryl Dyke - AS FIRST PRINTED DEC 9TH 2005
The club were devastated to learn of the untimely death of flanker Daryl Dyke, on Friday 9th December 2005, at the age of 23.
Daryl used to be a Mini and Junior Athletic player, and was a regular Athletic spectator, when his brother Richard – currently in the Bridgend Squad – played outside half for the club1st XV. He followed Richard to Tondu
Daryl rejoined the Athletic senior set up in the latter part of season 2003-2004 having played junior, youth and senior rugby at Tondu.
He played 2 games for the 2nd XV, scoring 3 tries and forcing his way into the 1st XV Daryl then played 5 1st team games helping the club gain promotion to Division 1 of the National League.
He was a permanent fixture in the Division 1 Season 2004-2005, playing in 27 of the 28 League games. His all action competitive style earned him the respect of his fellow players, coaches and supporters alike. He uniquely won Player of the Year – voted for by his fellow players, and Most Improved Player – voted for by the coaches.
This season he played 6 games – the last helping the club on 22nd October to a memorable 35-26 over high flying Division 1 side Newbridge in the Konica Minolta Cup. He was also a member of the highly successful Blue Bulls rugby league squad.
Daryl will be greatly missed by all associated with the Athletic. The club offer their heart felt condolences to his parents, family, Sarah and friends.
Daryl presented by Gavin Thomas with Most Promising Player

Daryl presented with Player of the Year presented by Gavin Thomas
FRIENDS OF BRIDGEND ATHLETIC RFC – 100 CLUB
PRIZE WINNERS
OCTOBER 2006
1. £70  |