We have received notice of some changes to the facilities for supporters at Parc y Scarlets.  The changes are as per this announcement:-

WELCOME TO THE LLANELLI RFC ‘CLUBHOUSE’ A GREAT MATCH-DAY EXPERIENCE AWAITS LLANELLI RFC SUPPORTERS AND VISITING FANS  THIS SEASONAS THE QUINNELL LOUNGE WELCOMES THE WELSH PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

Following discussions with the Scarlets, we are pleased to advise you that we can now offer RFC supporters, visiting fans, officials and players a great match day experience as a Llanelli RFC ‘Clubhouse’ type environment has been created at Parc Y Scarlets. On match day all other entrances will be closed and ALL supporters will enter the Quinnell Lounge with its excellent catering and bar facilities. Supporters will be able to occupy centre pitch top quality stadium seats outside the lounge, a truly unparalleled scenario not, to be matched anywhere in the Premiership league.

The ‘Clubhouse’ will be open usually from 1pm on the day of a game, which is typically 2.30pm and all tickets will be allocated at the entrance of the Quinnell Lounge on the second floor of the main entrance. There is lift access on the ground floor reception. Payments to made in CASH ONLY. Match day programmes will also be for sale at the ticketing station.

Supporters who wish to take up Llanelli RFC hospitality packages can do so in the comfort of the Hospitality areas in the Quinnell Lounge and expressions of interest should, as usual, be made to the Executive Committee (Peter Thomas in the first instance). Details of committee contacts are all on the RFC website.

Players and coaching staff will also enter the lounge post-match and this is a great opportunity to meet the players before or after they have their post-match meal.

This measure will save the Region a considerable sum of wasted expense in match day expense and will bring everyone together in the spacious comfort of one of the top lounges in Welsh rugby.

Ebbw Vale RFC are delighted to announce an enhanced relationship with Division 1 East Nantyglo RFC in addition to the other clubs that they currently work with in the Blaenau Gwent area. The relationship will include Nantyglo coaching staff attending Steelmen training sessions and being mentored by Ebbw Vale coaching staff. There will also be the opportunity for some of the younger Ebbw Vale squad members to gain valuable game time and experience with Nantyglo in the league and provide an opportunity for Nantyglo players to test themselves at a higher level in the midweek Fosters Challenge Cup.

Another of Ebbw Vale’s coaching staff has been snapped up on a fulltime basis with Nick Wakley being appointed as Wales Women assistant coach as preparations for next year’s World Cup in Belfast and Dublin begin in earnest. Wakley initially joined Ebbw Vale in November 2014 as Assistant to Jason Strange, a role he continued under Nigel Davies last season. He will be joined by Paul Young as Forwards coach.

Under head coach Rowland Phillips’ tutelage, Ebbw Vale backs coach Wakley, who also heads up the women’s sevens program on a full-time basis, will coach the Wales backs.

“Nick Wakley is already delivering the sevens program with the Welsh women so he will bring a lot of playing and coaching experience to the 15-a-side international game,” said WRU head of rugby performance Geraint John. “The calibre of these appointments to the national women’s programmes, following that of Rowland Phillips as Wales Women head coach, reflect a clear decision by the Welsh Rugby Union to increase the resource and support available to one of the fastest growing sports in the world.”

Ebbw Vale are delighted at this latest development and are fully supportive of Nick’s transition to a professional coach role. We thank Nick for his work as we returned to the Premier Division and the winning of the title in a high quality performance at Pontypridd in May.

At this time Nigel Davies will not look to fill the role.

Ebbw Vale’s fixture at Aberavon, which was to have been played on   Saturday, November 19th has been switched to Friday,  November 18th with a 7:15 kick off. This is to avoid a clash with the Wales v Japan international match in the autumn series on the Saturday afternoon.

This season’s fixtures in the Fosters Challenge Cup have been published this morning, and it’s all change this year for Ebbw. Instead of being lined up to meet fellow Dragons’ region clubs, the Steelmen will face Bargoed, Merthyr and Pontypridd, home and away, during the first half of the season.

Ebbw’s fixtures have been added here.

All the Fosters Challenge Cup Fixtures can be downloaded here.

Ebbw Vale RFC, in conjunction with RTB Steelers and Jesters Girls Rugby presents:

“FEEL THE STEEL” FUN DAY SUNDAY 14th AUGUST as part of the Dragons’ Summer Tour.

10am to 1 pm
Meet at The Welfare, Eugene Cross Park
Open to boys and girls aged 6 to 15

Do you play rugby? Or are you interested in starting to play rugby for a club or your school? Then come along and have some fun at the “FeelTheSteel” Fun Day!
Activities include:
Meet and Greet with players from Dragons Rugby
Q & A with the Dragons Players
Skills sessions with EVRFC players and RTB coaches
Chance to “FeelTheSteel” and have your picture taken with the Premiership Trophy won by EVRFC last season
Take part in the Brian Moore’s Mouth Competition
Bouncy Castle
Tag Rugby Matches

#feelthesteel

As the world turns towards Rio and the start of the Olympic Games, one member of the Ebbw Vale RFC coaching staff will have a bird’s eye view as part of the GB Swimming Squad in Brazil.

Rhys Shorney, the club’s lead physio and strength and conditioning coach, has been selected as part of the Physio team for GB swimming in Rio. This is the second time Rhys has been to an Olympic Games as he was also was part of the physiotherapy team for GB swimming in London 2012.

Rhys, a former Ebbw Vale player, has played a leading role in the growth of Ebbw Vale RFC over the last six years with his professional approach to the treatment and rehab of injured players, allied to his excellent knowledge of strength and conditioning, having a major role in the success of the club winning the Premiership title last season.

Rhys has already been out in Rio for the past week preparing the GB swimmers in their quest for gold. He said, “”Working for British Swimming has been a privilege over the last two Olympic cycles, and being able to support some of the best athletes in the world as they attempt to fulfil thier life’s dream has been an honour. The responsibility of which is one I don’t take lightly or for granted.”

Good luck to Rhys and all the GB squad in Rio from everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC!

Ebbw Addicts Travel to RGC

Saturday 3rd December/Sunday 4th December.
The Addicts will be providing transport to the above match. This will be an overnight stay at the Premier Inn (Glan Conwy) in Llandudno. Cost of the trip will be:
£65 for members of the Ebbw Addicts Travel Group*
£75 for non-members*
*Cost is per person sharing a twin room*
**Breakfast on Sunday morning is included in the price**
To book your seats on the trip, phone 07766490358 or email ebbwaddicts@mail.com

Ebbw Vale RFC is once again delighted to welcome several highly promising players to Eugene Cross Park.

Returning for his third season is Welsh U20’s Grand Slam Winning No8 Harri Keddie. All at the club have enjoyed watching Harri develop over the last 2 seasons and he has contributed strongly to our success in this period. Many expect Harri to challenge strongly for the senior Dragons team in the coming season and Ebbw Vale will look to play its part in ensuring he achieves this goal.

18-year-old Jared Rosser returns for a second season and is another who delighted the Steelmen faithful, with his development bringing several excellent displays in taking us to the Premiership Title, including a match-clinching try in the play off semi final at Llandovery. This form earned him a place in the Wales U20’s World Cup squad where he gained several caps and scored his first try in Welsh colours. This was a huge achievement for such a young player and he will spend August in South Africa with Wales U18’s

A third player returning to the Steelmen will be prop forward Keagan Bale who missed the whole of last season following a knee injury sustained in training. He had previously made a strong impression with an excellent display at Llanelli in April 2015 and will be looking forward to getting back into action

A new face for the Steelmen will be 18-year-old second row Max Williams who comes to the club with a reputation of being an athletic ball carrier that befits a former basketball player. Max will also be touring South Africa will Wales U18’s and will not be seen in Steelmem colours until September

There are two Ebbw Vale based players allocated to the club by the Dragons, both being products of the Jason Strange coached Ebbw Fawr School’s Cup Final team, Joel Harries and Dawid Rubasniak.

Joel, a native of Beaufort, trained with the club last pre season as a 17-year-old and impressed our experienced front row players with his strength and power in the loose head prop position. He will certainly add competition to the more established loose heads at the club.

Dawid was an unused substitute in the Neath away league game and then went on to make his first appearance in Ebbw Vale colours in the Fosters Challenge Cup game against Cross Keys, played on the 4G pitch at the Dragons’ Ystrad Mynach training Centre. He impressed all with a dynamic performance that was capped with a try and he will be looking to pressurise Ronny Kynes for the No7 shirt.

The final player of the Academy allocation, and a new face at Eugene Cross Park, is 18-year-old full back Will Talbot-Davies. Will, a native of Solihull, has come through the Welsh Exiles program and impressed the Steelmen’s Head Coach with his pace and elusive running for the Dragons U18 team. The  coaching staff are looking forward to working with this exciting talent. He will be living with Steelmen favorites, Dorian Jones and Carl Meyer, who will no doubt instill in him their passion for the club!

top10 igt slots

Well, it’s that time of the year again for Ebbw Vale RFC to spend the day at Ebbw Vale Market. This Friday (29th July) the Addicts will have a stall where you will be able to:

• Purchase “Champions” merchandise; t-shirts at £22, mugs at £8 and car stickers at £3
• Buy club merchandise at large discounts; replica shirts at £20, hoodies at £20, rain jackets at £15, polo shirts at £10 and t-shirts at £8
• Sign up for membership of Ebbw Vale RFC for the 2016/17 season
• Join the Ebbw Addicts for the 2016/17 season and book seats for games against London Welsh and Llanelli.
• Find out about Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016/17 season.

So come along and say hello!

Reminder
Spend more than £10 on club merchandise on market day and you will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to see Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at Singleton Park, Swansea in September.

Centre commits

Jordan Howells has committed to his fourth season as a Steelman and will be looking to challenge the established pairing of Adam Jones and Nathan Preece in the coming season. Jordan although being an excellent attacking centre found himself coming off the bench in many games and he will be looking to recapture the form that saw him named Welsh Premiership Player of the Month in April 2015.

Pitman becomes Steelman

This is not another capture of a Penallta player but the signing of Scarlets’ No8 Rory Pitman. Weighing in at 118kg, Rory brings with him a fearsome ball carrying ability that was first noted as he came through the Ospreys development set up and has been displayed at clubs such as London Welsh, Rotherham and Wasps.
The 26 year old is looking forward to linking up again with friend and former team mate Josh Lewis and coming under the direction of forwards coach Lee Davies who helped guide him through his early days of senior rugby at Bridgend.

Ebbw Vale RFC have linked up with Ignition to offer the chance to win tickets to see Noel Gallagher on September 2nd, when his band, High Flying Birds, will be a headlining a show at Singleton Park in Swansea. We’ve been given two pairs of tickets to the above event and will be passing them on to two lucky people!

To have the chance to win the tickets is quite simple.The Addicts will be opening the club shop on Monday 24th July (6.00pm to 8.00pm) and will also have a stall at the Ebbw Vale market on Friday 29th July. Come along on either day and purchase some Ebbw Vale RFC merchandise to the minimum value of £10 and you will automatically be entered into the draw to win the first pair of tickets.

We have received the Champions t-shirts and car stickers and these will be available to buy on both the above dates. Champions mugs will also be on sale. There will also be a sale of last season’s leisure wear and replica jerseys.

Then watch out for a further competition in August, where purchasing your EVRFC season ticket could also win you a pair of tickets to see Noel Gallagher in Swansea.

Thanks to Marcus at Ignition for providing the tickets.

Ebbw Vale RFC are delighted that Nick Wakley has once again been named head coach of the Dragons 7s squad as they defend the Singha Premiership 7s title, won with a last gasp try by Ebbw Vale’s Harrison Keddie in the final last season against Wasps.

Joining Harrison in the squad this season will be another Ebbw Vale favourite, Chris Levesley, who recently impressed for GB students at the World Student Games. GB students lost to Australia in the final but Chris’s impressive displays have earned him a place in the Dragons 7s squad.

Ebbw Vale RFC has followed this year’s championship winning campaign in the Principality Premiership by announcing that TVR, the iconic British sports car manufacturer, is to be its main sponsor in the 2016 /17 season, carrying the company’s famous logo on the front of both shirt and shorts.

The news reinforces TVR’s commitment to the local community following its announcement earlier this year that it is to manufacture its new vehicle, engineered by Gordon Murray Design and powered by Cosworth, in Ebbw Vale, and which will have its public launch in 2017.

Commenting on the news, Ebbw Vale RFC Director and Chairman Jonathan Jones said: “As a club we are delighted that TVR has become a partner and feel it is fitting that a club that derives its nickname from the steel industry, which was once the main economic driver of the area, will have strong links with the iconic TVR marque.

“TVR’s facility will help to re-energise the area economically in the coming years and we look forward to working closely with the company, helping them develop an enjoyable and prosperous future with the club, its fellow sponsors, its supporters, and with the area as a whole. This must surely be the most prestigious sponsorship deal in the history of the Premiership and is an excellent boost for Ebbw Vale RFC and the League as a whole.”

Operations Director for TVR John Chasey commented, “TVR are looking forward to establishing our factory in Ebbw Vale and becoming an integral part of both the local economy and community. While TVR cars have traditionally sported composite bodies, they have always been built upon a steel chassis, and the new car will continue to use a steel frame bonded with carbon fibre as part of the iStream process, so the sponsorship of the Steelmen is an appropriate connection we look forward to developing.”

Ebbw Vale RFC are pleased to announce their coaching structure for the coming season.

Nigel Davies remains to lead the club’s defence of their Premiership title, secured with a superb performance at Sardis Road in May.

With Ceri Jones having moved on to coach the Dragons, the club are delighted to welcome back former Steelmen prop forward Lee Davies as Forwards Coach. Lee enjoyed a 9-year Premiership playing career that included a 3-year spell at Ebbw Vale from 2003 to 2006 after coming through the Pontypridd U21 set up. Lee played at Bridgend and Pontypridd before retiring with a back injury in 2012. As a qualified secondary school teacher he switched to Coleg Y Cwmoedd 4 years ago to join the rugby academy and he has played a strong role in making the college one of the stand-out performers in the college league. Alongside this, Lee has also coached Cardiff Blues age grade rugby at U16/18 level. Last season he coached Beddau to a sixth placed finish in the Championship. Lee is qualified to WRU Level 3 and is about to embark on his Level 4 qualification.

The club is delighted to welcome Lee back and he clearly fits with the ethos of appointing young ambitious coaches who have an affiliation to the club and an understanding of its culture.

Damien Hudd will assist Lee, and will combine this new role with his continuing playing career. The club will support Damien as he embarks on gaining his Level 1 and 2 WRU coaching qualifications in the coming season. A keen student of the game, Damien is looking forward to his new role and the club is delighted that this is the opening chapter in retaining his obvious leadership qualities for the long-term.

Mike Powell, who performed the Assistant Coach role last season despite the severe leg injury he sustained in October, has moved on to pastures new. We thank Mike for his efforts and the part he played in our title-winning season.

Nick Wakley will once again coach the backs. After joining at Christmas 2014, Nick has developed strongly as a coach and is looking forward to working with a talented back line that seldom receives the credit it deserves. Once again Nick’s expertise has been in demand on the summer 7’s circuit, which is a clear indication of his attack coach ability.

The strength and conditioning role will once again be fulfilled for the 4^th season by former Steelmen scrum half Lewis Roberts. An intern from the University of South Wales, Harry Ashby, will assist Lewis. The club would like to take the opportunity to thank former Steelmen pace ace Ian Jeffries, who heads up this key area of Educational Sport for the University.

Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale will begin the defence of their title away to Llanelli on September 3. The Steelmen, who beat Pontypridd 38-12 in the grand final to lift the Premiership trophy for the first time in their history, then travel to Sardis Road for the first league match on Pontypridd’s new 3G pitch on September 10, before welcoming Newport to Eugene Cross Park on September 17 followed by Bridgend on September 24.

The Principality Premiership has been revamped in time for this season with 16 teams playing each other in the first half of the season. In the New Year, the league will be split into two divisions of eight for the remainder of the season, the top teams playing it out for the title.

All the clubs in the expanded division will receive the same on and off-field support from the Welsh Rugby Union. As previously agreed and announced, the Premiership will be ring-fenced until the end of season 2018/19.

Ebbw Vale head coach Nigel Davies said, “It’s going to be a tough start, Parc y Scarlets and Sardis Road are always difficult places to go but we expect everyone to raise their game against us as champions this season anyway. We did well away from home last season, and we will just have to prepare well in pre-season and back ourselves to get off to a good start. After all, the first 15 rounds of the season is like a mini-season in itself and if you don’t get momentum early on, you’ll be on the back foot and find it difficult to stay in the top eight when the league splits.

“It’s always nice to go back to Llanelli, I have lots of friends there and I have huge regard for their development work. Like Ebbw Vale, they develop players and coaches for the professional game. As for Pontypridd, we beat them three times last season, and returning to the venue of the final will certainly be a big occasion, but we have to play these teams at some point so we just have to be ready. We will look forward to our first home matches against local rivals Newport and Bridgend.”

Davies is confident he has the right balance in his squad to launch a staunch defence of the title, with Damien Hudd still at the helm.

“The big strength of the team is its togetherness and we’re really pleased that the majority of the squad has stayed together. We’ve added some strength and are on the look-out for one or two more players but we’re happy with the balance of the side. Damien had such a great end to the season and winning Player of the Season, he’s been like a 19 year old around pre-season training. You need leaders at every level of the game and Damien has such fantastic leadership qualities.”

The fixtures are all here.

As July takes over from June, and the nights begin to lengthen, Ebbw’s players are back in training and thoughts switch to the season ahead. The first dates of note, for the eagerly anticipated pre-season friendlies, have been announced.

On Friday 12th of August, the Steelmen make the short trip to Bedlinog, returning to the ground where they clinched the Division One East crown on a blazing hot day in May, 2011. The ‘Foxes’ won promotion to the Championship last season and will prove stiff opposition for Ebbw – especially with a certain Iain Smerdon pulling the strings.

On Saturday, August 27th, Ebbw will play British and Irish Cup holders, London Welsh. The game, at Imber Court (KT8 0BT) will kick off at 2:30. The sides met at Eugene Cross Park last summer, and the Addicts will be looking forward to a day out in Surrey… which is why they’re running transport there!

The cost will be £20 per person including a full English (surely that should be ‘Welsh’) breakfast at the rugby club before departure to London.

To book seats on the bus, contact Ebbw Addicts:
Phone: 07766490358
Email: ebbwaddicts@gmail.com

Details of timings will be released followed.

This autumn Wales are playing the following matches :-

Australia 5th November kick off 2:30pm
Argentina 12th November kick off 5:30pm
Japan 19th November kick off 2:30pm
South Africa 26th November kick off 5:30pm

If you would like to be considered for tickets please email:
International-tickets@evrfc.co.uk

There’s news of another player staying with Ebbw Vale RFC for the coming season, and of one returning to his home village club after 3 excellent seasons with the Steelmen.

Scrum half Tom Edwards, who came back to Ebbw Vale from Bedwas at the start of last season, has put pen to paper for the coming campaign. Blaina boy Tom, who missed a large part of the season through injury, will be looking forward to a good pre-season so that he’s ready to challenge for the 9 shirt in September.

Outside half Iain Smerdon has decided to return to Bedlinog, his home village club, after three great seasons at Eugene Cross Park. Smerdon became a firm favourite with Steelmen fans, who admired his bravery, commitment and skill in getting his outside backs into play. Everyone wishes him well back at the Foxes, where his experience will be vital in their first Championship season following promotion.

Following on from the incredible demand for Champions mugs the club are pleased to announce the release of a Champions t-shirt and car sticker.

Both the t-shirt and car sticker have been created by Mumph (of Mugbys fame) who also designed the Champions and Ebbw Addicts mugs this season.

The T-shirt has a Mumph design on the front with all the season’s results on the back. The t-shirt will cost £22

The car sticker will retail at £3.

Information of when the t-shirt and car sticker can be bought from the club shop will be released shortly.

T-shirt front

T-shirt back

Car sticker

Principality Premiership Champions Ebbw Vale RFC have agreed a deal with the famous Samurai brand for the next two seasons. Chairman Jon Jones, in announcing the partnership, said that having met with Samurai staff, their professionalism, flexibility and the high quality products made the choice an obvious one for the club. “I’m sure the players and supporters will enjoy wearing the new kit and leisure wear in the coming seasons,” he said.

Mike Atkin, Head of UK Sales at Samurai Sportswear added, “We’re delighted that Ebbw Vale RFC have joined the Samurai Family. We’d like to thank the club for the opportunity and we look forward to seeing our cutting edge Iconix Match Kit giving them the winning edge on match days, alongside our training wear range. The club really engages with both the local and wider community and Samurai Sportswear are proud to be the official kit supplier for the foreseeable future; we look forward to more seasons of success!”

And here is your first taste of the season’s home and away kits…

Many happy returns to our Company Secretary extraordinaire, Alan Gall, who has significant birthday today (Sunday). Everyone at the club sends very best wishes!

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Best wishes are in order for Rhys Clarke and his bride-to-be Kylie who are getting married today, Saturday. Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC sends congratulations to the happy couple!