Category Archives: Ebbw Vale Rugby
The Steelmen are delighted to add Wales 7s player Dafydd Smith to the squad for the coming season.
A product of Cardiff Blues Academy, Dafydd impressed on the 7s circuit with his pace, step and ball handling. He is confident of transferring his skill set to the 15-a-side arena. In the 13 shirt, Dafydd will add to the Steelmen’s strike power behind the scrum and the coaching group are confident he will become a firm favourite of the Ebbw Addicts.
Dafydd commented, “I’m excited at returning to the 15s game and delighted to get the opportunity to play at a prestigious club in Ebbw Vale.”
Link to footage
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Qi_TJzNsFlHv2fkwlGL3upXVrYyl4cF/view?usp=sharing
Following our excellent semi final win at Llandovery, this Friday Night at 7:30pm we take on Pontypridd RFC LIVE on Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel.
Get The Beers In 🍻🏉
Supported by Coleg Gwent.
A donation to our charity, Hospice of the Valleys, would be appreciated:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-the-steelmen-hospice-of-the-valleys
Look out for news of another squad addition this Friday afternoon (28th August).
Following our victory against Aberavon we progressed to the Semi Final v Llandovery at Church Bank.
Join us again for Friday Night LIVE on the club’s Facebook page & the Ebbw Vale RFC YouTube channel
Get the beers in and enjoy 🍻🍿
This Friday 7th August 7:30pm we look back at the semi final play off against Llandovery in the run in for the 2015-16 season!
Viewers are asked to make a small donation to our charity fundraising for Hospice Of The Valleys CIA the following link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-the-steelmen-hospice-of-the-valleys
🗓️ Friday 7th August
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Safe, at home!
🎥 @Facebook Live
#EbbwEbbw #Steelmen 🇭🇺
Due to the huge uptake on the Ebbw Vale RFC reusable branded face coverings the club is ordering more (adult size). They are priced at £6 each and if you need it posted it is a further. They take around 3/4 weeks to come back to us from when we place the order.
If you would like to order an Ebbw Vale RFC face covering please email marketing@evrfc.co.uk by Wednesday 5th of August
Come and join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at our outdoor bar at Ebbw Vale RFC, The Welfare.
We will be serving all your favourite tipples whilst adhering to social distancing rules.
Our individual pitches sit up to six people and can be booked out for £5 for 2 hours.
Our pitches are all individual, some come with benches and some with traditional picnic blankets …. You are also welcome to bring your own camping chairs and blankets if you wish to make your pitch your own! (All personal belongings must be taken with you afterwards so that we can ensure the safety of all our customers)
We will be serving hot food.
Pitches are set up strictly with 2 metres between each one
2 metre markers will be set out at the bar
Toilets will be monitored to ensure only one person at any one time and subject to strict sanitising procedures on a regular basis throughout the day
Hand sanitiser will be available and extra measures will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety
Friday 2-8pm
Saturday & Sunday 1-9pm
Over 18’s
Message The Welfare Facebook page to book your al fresco pitch now or 01495 302995!
Those who have opted to collect your face coverings can do so from the Snack Bar at the rugby Ground with opening times as follows.
Tuesday to Friday 9am until 2pm
Saturday 9am until 12 noon.
If you have not made payment via Bacs, payment by cheque to Steelmen Rugby or cash on collection is advised.
Tonight (Friday) we look back at the play off finals run in for the 2016 season! First up it’s the last game of the regular season at home to Aberavon RFC with the winners guaranteed a play off semi-final spot!
Viewers are asked to make a small donation to our charity fundraising for Hospice Of The Valleys via the following link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-the-steelmen-hospice-of-the-valleys
🗓️ Friday 31 July
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Safe, at home
🎥 @Facebook Live
As many of you would have seen in the last 48 hours the WRU have cancelled all tickets for the postponed 6 Nations match with Scotland.
The club would ask that you confirm via email address, International-tickets@evrfc.co.uk, the tickets you received, which option you would like to take and how you would lime to be refunded, Bank Transfer or Cash. The club will process all refunds as soon as is possible
Option 1 – 100% Refund
Option 2 – 100% Donation to Ebbw Vale RFC of the Ticket money
Option 3 – A % of ticket money as a donation to Ebbw Vale RFC and the balance returned to you
Unfortunately Sam was dealt a blow this month after suddenly becoming unwell and being admitted into hospital. It was then discovered Sam had leukaemia. Ebbw Vale RFC send Sam and the family our best wishes.
You can support Sam by making a donation here https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/Fundraisers/whiteheads-youth-rfc-support-for-sam
Ebbw Vale supporters can now purchase reusable branded face coverings so you can stay safe as lockdown measures ease across Wales.
Following on from a number of requests from fans we are working with VX3, we are delighted to announce the new coverings are available to pre-order NOW for £6.
The face covers are available in adult and juniors sizes and are washable, reusable, provide a large covering and are triple layer in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for non medical masks.
The latest advice from the Welsh Government, based on updated guidance from the WHO, is to wear face coverings in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport. For more information from the Welsh Government click https://gov.wales/3-layer-face-coverings-recommended-not-mandatory-certain-situations-wales
Our new Ebbw Vale RFC face coverings will take around 3-4 weeks turn around, if you require postage you will need to say so in the email, provide address and also postage will be an additional cost on top of the mask price. Postage is £1.50.
Please note: All of our face coverings are for personal use. They are not suitable for hospital / medical use and therefore do not take away from NHS supplies. They are NOT medical grade masks or personal protective equipment (PPE). For more information please click https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
To order and purchase your Ebbw Vale RFC Face Covering email marketing@evrfc.co.uk by Monday 22nd June 3pm.
Mr Elvet Williams
It is with great sadness that the the club has learned of the death of Elvet Williams, father of long serving former hooker Mathew “Chunky” Williams. Elvet was a familiar face to all at the club as he followed his son’s career at the Steelmen at both home and away fixtures, and was well liked and respected by everyone. Elvet was always happy to chat over a pre- and post-match drink, clearly enjoying the performance of his son and team mates as well as the atmosphere in the clubhouse.
Our thoughts are with Mathew and his family at this sad time.
Volunteers generously give their time and dedication to make the club run smoothly across every aspect of its activities. As we have entered National Volunteer Week, the club wishes to thank all of the volunteers that make everything possible for all our players to take the field. From the tiny under 7’s, to the players at the height of The Indigo Premiership, the support given by our volunteers is invaluable. While we have been without any rugby for such a long time now, when the time comes to start again our volunteers will be a big part of it.
Club Chair Jon Jones said, “The sport of rugby in Wales has always been and will continue to be highly dependent on an army of volunteers who perform a multitude of tasks that allow the on field action to take place. These range from manning gates, serving food, managing kit, cleaning changing rooms, serving food and providing the skills that manage finances and social media. In essence, there are roles available to everyone and the satisfaction of contributing to your sporting community and developing a wider social network is a great reward for your efforts in contributing to a key part of the fabric of our communities.
Every club will welcome more volunteers, and the one positive to come out of the Covid pandemic, is the number of volunteers who have leapt into action to assist those in need of help. We salute those volunteers and those active in all volunteer roles throughout the country in National Volunteer Week and would urge people to get involved with your communities’ rugby club to allow the positive benefits that sport brings to be a key part of the future of our communities.”
Mini & Juniors Chair, John Prendergast, said, “This week, we enter National Volunteers Week and the management of the Ebbw Vale Steelers Mini and Juniors section would like to take this opportunity to convey its thanks to the army of volunteers who commit time each week for the development and participation of children within rugby across our structure.
Weather is not the kindest in Blaenau Gwent, but each week our volunteers endeavour to give time to the cause, on the sometimes wet, sometimes frozen and occasionally perfect playing fields of North Gwent. Many of the roles are front line, such as coaches, coach assistants, refereeing and first aiders; however, other roles are more administrative, whether that is team management, organising fixtures, financial management or more. Volunteers’ time is needed for a wide variety of functions.
Without volunteers, rugby activity cannot go ahead and it is with great pride we celebrate the input of these hardy souls. A club can never have enough volunteers, and as we develop we are always looking for more help. If you think you can help in anyway, contact the club and we can discuss where you can support. It is highly rewarding seeing our players develop from U7 through to U16 pathway. You can help develop the next Rhys Jones or Joe Franchi!”
As part of our fundraising for Hospice Of The Valleys and the club we have launched a charity T-shirt and vest to help raise vital funds for such a great local cause that does so much amazing work in the community close to the club. Teaming up with club kit partners AKUMA these once in a lifetime items are a must to have for this summer as well as supporting a local charity.
To order your charity club t-shirt or vest please contact marketing@evrfc.co.uk.
Orders will be going in on a weekly basis and will have a minimum 3 week turn around due to the current Covid-19 situation.
T- Shirt £18.50 (available in red, green or white)
Vest £30
Adults’ sizes:
S 38” Chest
M 40”
L 42”
XL 44”
2XL 46”
3XL 48”
4XL 50”
5XL 52”
Children’s sizes:
Baby 19”
Infant 21”
XSC 24″
Child 25”
JNR 27”
XSB 29”
SB 31”
MB 33”
LB 35″
Ebbw Vale RFC can confirm that the following 2 players are leaving the Steelmen for pastures new and all at the club would like to thank them for their excellent service and wish them all the best for the future.
Scrum Half Dai Jones leaves the Steelmen after 10 seasons with only the brief interruption of a short stay at Bedwas during this period. Dai was signed by Neil Edwards and was a key man in the winning of two Division 1 titles and two Championship titles, as well as being an active member of the squad that returned to the Premiership. Dai will be missed within the squad and the Ebbw Addicts due to his approachability and character. At this point, he has not made a decision around his future rugby career.
The second departure is that of Dai Langdon who has played at 10 and 12 for the club with great distinction. He returned to the Steelmen, who he’d represented as an 18 year old Dragons Academy player, from Neath RFC where he had spent a number of seasons. Dai was the outside half who in fierce competition for the number 10 shirt guided Ebbw Vale to success in the title winning 2016 Premiership campaign. Dai will be returning to Neath RFC as they look to put pressure on last year’s Championship front runners Pontypool and Bargoed and will add his undoubted skills and experience to the Gnoll. Dai is another who has been very popular within the squad and amongst the Ebbw Addicts and we wish him the best of luck in guiding Neath in their title challenge.
The other updates at this point are as follows:
Scrum half Sam Ireland, after sustaining a nasty concussion playing as a centre replacement in the heavy defeat in the National Cup tie at Cardiff in early November, is making progress and for the first time has been able to increase his training workload over the last 6 weeks. Sam will join the squad whenever pre season training starts and will be assessed by the club’s medical team through the training period to ensure it is safe for him to return to Indigo Premiership rugby. All at the club will be pleaseD to see this skilful and likeable player successfully return to rugby.
Head Coach Greg Woods has started tentative discussions with the Dragons Academy, so He and his coaching team have an outline of the likely available players from our Regional partners. Once the the current Covid restrictions are lifted, and all are back in their roles, the discussions will be advanced further.
The Steelmen recruitment team still have an eye on players becoming available and may add to the current squad should the correct quality of player become available. There is also a group of 8/10 young players who have been invited to pre season training by the coaching group and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the club as soon as it is safe and appropriate.
Support The Steelmen & Hospice Of The Valleys
“During the crisis caused by the Covid 19 Global Pandemic the work of the key workers within the country led by the NHS has been outstanding in exceptionally difficult circumstances. Many people have raised significant sums of money including Captain Sir Tom Moore who raised over £30m for the NHS. Along with businesses the charitable sector has seen significant losses to their income with events cancelled and the closure of their retail fund raising arms. The officials at Ebbw Vale RFC have considered how we can help in some way and we believe that as a club that owes its excellent home facility to a Miners‘ Welfare Trust we should look to support a local charity.
We are delighted to launch a fundraising partnership with Hospice of the Valleys whose main facilities are a mile away from our Eugene Cross Park home. The Hospice has been a strong and welcome presence in the community of Blaenau Gwent for a number of years providing a fantastic service to those affected by cancer and dementia. Many within the club have faced the difficulties caused by the these all too prevalent illnesses and as a club we have taken part in fund raising for the Hospice for a number of years. Their work within our community underpins the work of the NHS in these areas and is extremely important in providing a level of care that all within our fantastic community deserve and we want to play a part in ensuring that the this wonderful and needed work continues as strongly as it has for many years to come.”
Jonathan Jones
Chairman Ebbw Vale RFC
“As proud ambassador of Hospice of the Valleys, I’m very happy to be supporting Ebbw Vale RFC in their joint venture with the Hospice in raising vital funds for both organisations. The amazing staff at the Hospice provide vital care and support for people in our community with life limiting illness. Throughout this current global crisis, the Hospice has continued to provide the exceptional services to those in greatest need.
As a former Ebbw vale player, it’s a privilege to be supporting a genuine community club, with a rich history in Welsh rugby and strong cultural values. These unprecedented times are certainly a challenge for us all. However, I believe it’s also a time that brings out the best in people. An opportunity for us as individuals to shine, by giving back to our community.
Theses times will pass, we will shake hands, hug and have a drink together again. So, until then will you please support these two great organisations in whatever way possible? As always, we are so grateful for your support and friendship.
Stay safe & well.”
Byron Hayward
“It’s fantastic to see that as a club we have partnered with such a worthy charity “Hospice of the Valleys” for the forthcoming 2020/21 season. I know that it is a charity that is close to so many people who are associated with the club and the town itself. Hopefully this association will bring increased awareness and funds to the charity over the year. As a playing and management group we are looking forward to getting involved and helping out as much as we can and I am sure you will agree it is a great choice and worthy cause.”
Greg Woods
Ebbw Vale RFC
Head Coach
“Our Hospice of the Valleys team are working alongside our NHS colleagues in the community providing support wherever it is needed, be it in a patientKs home, in hospital or in one of the fourteen local care homes. Our amazing Hospice at Home team are helping to protect the NHS by helping to avoid hospital admissions where we can, our team are truly on the frontline providing palliative care where our patients and those who matter most to them need us now more than ever before. The demand on our services has not gone away as we continue with our day to day support and also deal with Covid-19 on top of this. We need the support of the local community to help us raise vital funds and continue being there for our patients and their families.
We must say a huge thank you to Ebbw Vale RFC who have chosen to support the Hospice at this challenging time, we know our Hospice means so much to the club, its players, supporters and community as a whole who have really taken the Hospice to their hearts. We also hope that this fantastic initiative receives the support it deserves which will of course benefit the Club and Hospice in helping to secure the futures for us both.”
Julie Williams, Business & Community Fundraising Manager, Hospice of the Valleys
About The Hospice
Hospice of the Valleys provides specialist palliative care to the people of Blaenau Gwent. We work with people who have a life limiting condition such as heart failure, COPD and cancer. Specialist Palliative Care can help patients and their families with physical, emotional, social and financial problems that are difficult to control. We can help to plan ahead, provide support at the end of life and through bereavement. Patients may only need care from the Hospice for a short time and can be discharged from us if their symptoms are controlled. We also have a designated service for patients with dementia and their carers called CARIAD (Care and Respect in Advanced Dementia).
Our team is made up of professionals who have all had additional training and experience in palliative care. The team provides care for patients:
· at home;
· in their regular place of residence including nursing homes, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan or Ysbyty Tri Chwm; and,
· at our out-patient clinic in the Hospice in Ebbw Vale.
To help us raise money towards the Hospice Of The Valleys and club we are offering supporters the opportunity to ‘pre-order’ a certain number of Ebbw Vale RFC packages and experiences.
Please support this initiative in any way you can by clicking the following link to purchase:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-the-steelmen-hospice-of-the-valleys
Ebbw Vale RFC Chairman Jon Jones is delighted to confirm that Gareth Howells and Red Dragon Sports Management will continue to work with Ebbw Vale RFC after initial success last season. Gareth will provide additional services in the management and development of Social Media content across all official club channels. This role will enhance the work of Gareth and Red Dragon Sports Management in the key areas of Sponsorship and Marketing.
Jon said, “With working together last season being successful, we as a club were keen to build on the relationship with Gareth and Red Dragon Sports Management and look forward to continued success in the coming seasons.”
Gareth Howells director of Red Dragon Sports Marketing commented, “I am delighted and honoured to be working in partnership with Ebbw Vale RFC. After working at Premiership and Regional level in commercial positions I have expert knowledge on advising clubs, teams and individuals on their sponsorship and marketing. I know how difficult it is at premiership level to gain sponsors and how vital it is to look after sponsors.
I was approached by club chairman Jonathan Jones to gain new commercial partners for the club and increase new packages to sell as well as advise on the marketing strategy.
The new packages will focus on increasing commercial revenue and give a clear strategic direction to help steer sponsorship strategy, action and measurement.
We will aim to work more with the community, schools and local businesses and, whilst we understand the tough times people and businesses are going through with Covid-19, we need to plan for the near future and be ready for when the first ball is kicked.
To do this we are looking to attract local and national companies who we can introduce to a passionate club and supporter base who are going to do all they can to succeed in the league this coming season with the Ebbw Addict fans behind the side.
The club has numerous packages available, please get in touch if you wish to promote your business alongside Ebbw Vale RFC ‘ The Steelmen’ please contact marketing@evrfc.co.uk
Missing your dose of the Steelmen. Have a look at this compilation from last season.
Ebbw Vale RFC is currently looking for an enthusiastic person with a graphic design and videographer background to help the club design graphics to use across our social media platforms such as facebook, twitter and Instagram. The person would also be able to create short videos to assist with promoting the club such as behind the scenes footage, interviews and promo video.
The position will be voluntary but a great chance for a person to gain experience with one of Wales’s premier rugby sides, the role will suit someone who is passionate about rugby and looking to gain experience and living in the area.
Graphics will be need to be produced as and when needed, sometimes very quickly due to announcements being made and you will report to the commercial and marketing manager. If you are interested in discussing the role please contact marketing@evrfc.co.uk
You can watch Scott in action here.
The centre positions will be hotly contested with the experienced Dom Franchi being joined by Paul King, Ryan Evans and Ethan Phillips.
Matthew Flanagan enters his third season with the Steelmen following several years at Llanelli RFC. Matthew performed strongly last season to take a firm grip on the No 9 shirt by the end of the season and will be looking to continue this strong form in 20/21.
He will be partnered by a a pair of experienced operators in the 10 shirt in Rhys Jones and Lewis Williams. Rhys quickly settled back into life at ECP after a half season spell with fellow Heads of the Valley team Merthyr RFC. His experience and game control, along with his deadly goal kicking, will be essential as the Indigo Welsh Premiership continues to become more competitive.
A strong challenge for the position will come from Lewis Williams who has well over a 100 Premiership appearances with the majority being at Pontypridd RFC. Lewis will be looking for an injury free season with the Steelmen after being hit with a groin injury after joining in November 2019, and is another with a great deal of goal kicking prowess.
