North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
2 North Walians
By CounterRuck
May 29 2008
It may seem like a distant memory, but back in the days prior to regionalisation the WRU were telling anyone who would listen there plans for a proffessional side based in North Wales. Four years later and the union do not appear to have given up completely on that concept.
It seems the idea of semi-professional side competing at Premiership level would appear the way forward in the unions eyes. North Walian rag the Daily Post alludes in an article with union chair David Pickering. "Intense plans being fervently put into place to ensure a
semi-professional side will be competing in the Principality Welsh
Premiership by 2010, a date set down to them in the WRU board-approved
North Wales Strategic Plan." This would make sense in light of a decision not to reduce the existing fourteen club premiership by two. Eighteen Joel Galley and James King who have appeared for the existing Gogledd Cymru amateur side, signed contracts with the Ospreys and Llanelli Scarlets respectively, to prove alongside Wales under 20's back-rower Hayden Pugh talent is however slowly, dripping southwards. It would be foolish to suggest that North Wales is some sort of great untapped rugby resevoir, but for a country of Wales's size it would be madness to ignore a third of our potential rugby playing and supporting population.
North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: The State of Play (IP Logged)
Date: 29/05/2008 09:45
North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: DaveAitch (IP Logged)
Date: 29/05/2008 19:15
There have been several North Walians of some class. Wilf Wooler, from Rhos-on-Sea, and Dewi Bebb, Bangor probably being the best known. Bleddyn Williams was at Rydal School, Colwyn Bay, although born in Taff's Well.
There are several clubs of fair standard in North Wales, although not up to the standards ot the better clubs of South Wales.
We, Caldy, tend not to play them now other than an occasional pre-season friendly or at 4th team level. The introduction of national leagues has made the divide of the Dee seem even greater. It is therefore difficult to know how those clubs feel. The few people involved that I have asked seem to have the same feeling of isolation; almost that they are a nuisance to the WRU. I should say this may not a representative view, but there again it could be.
I think your final paragraph calls it spot on.
There are several clubs of fair standard in North Wales, although not up to the standards ot the better clubs of South Wales.
We, Caldy, tend not to play them now other than an occasional pre-season friendly or at 4th team level. The introduction of national leagues has made the divide of the Dee seem even greater. It is therefore difficult to know how those clubs feel. The few people involved that I have asked seem to have the same feeling of isolation; almost that they are a nuisance to the WRU. I should say this may not a representative view, but there again it could be.
I think your final paragraph calls it spot on.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: Paul (BiH) (IP Logged)
Date: 29/05/2008 20:29
I remember Brian Moore commenting after Wales won the Grand slam that it was even more of an achievement considering rugby was only really concentrated along the M4 corridor, which is quite sad.
But the investment and time needed along with the element of risk has not made it possible to make substantial in roads up north. Admittedly Sale appear to be doing a good job up there at the moment.
---
The artist formerly known as Lestyn.
But the investment and time needed along with the element of risk has not made it possible to make substantial in roads up north. Admittedly Sale appear to be doing a good job up there at the moment.
---
The artist formerly known as Lestyn.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: Zippy (IP Logged)
Date: 31/05/2008 18:09
We've always banged the drum for something to be tried up North.
Without the infrastructure being brought in by te union the gogs have no chance of making it in the pro game.
Which would be sad and a waste of potential.
http://www.bredinheaven.co.uk/
Feed me till I want no more!
Without the infrastructure being brought in by te union the gogs have no chance of making it in the pro game.
Which would be sad and a waste of potential.
http://www.bredinheaven.co.uk/
Feed me till I want no more!
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: DaveAitch (IP Logged)
Date: 31/05/2008 23:51
This would be good time for the WRU to have a proper crack at North Wales. The loss of Wrexham FC from the Football League will leave soccer with a lower profile. What better time to get people following rugby?
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: Exile~ (IP Logged)
Date: 06/06/2008 21:37
Nope, not getting involved in this one.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: MikeGC (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2008 15:32
Lest ye forget, Sale Sharks have a lad from St Asaph - Eifion Roberts. He's 27, a prop, 21st, 6ft 1in, never going to be a Graham Price but I'd have thought he'd have held down a regular slot in a regional side.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: particle man (IP Logged)
Date: 10/06/2008 23:35
GOGLEDD CYMRU - The fledgling North Wales Regional Rugby Team was named team of the year in the most recent edition of Rugby World magazine.
This is just reward for a committed group of players who have taken on an extra 9 games this season in addition to club fixtures and who have overcome the demography of one of the most sparcely populated areas in Europe. Some players travel 200 miles round trip to a home game.
Gogledd Cymru has established a Welsh Premiership standard ground at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. This is easily accessible from the A55, a dual carriageway which runs across North Wales.
Gogledd Cymru aims to be the foremost region in Wales and the most player centred, health conscious, team in Europe.
Read about it at www.gogleddcymru.blogspot.com
It is one of the most exciting developments in grassroots rugby in Wales. GOGLEDD CYMRU is our brand name, like Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys.
GOGLEDD CYMRU - Live the dream
This is just reward for a committed group of players who have taken on an extra 9 games this season in addition to club fixtures and who have overcome the demography of one of the most sparcely populated areas in Europe. Some players travel 200 miles round trip to a home game.
Gogledd Cymru has established a Welsh Premiership standard ground at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. This is easily accessible from the A55, a dual carriageway which runs across North Wales.
Gogledd Cymru aims to be the foremost region in Wales and the most player centred, health conscious, team in Europe.
Read about it at www.gogleddcymru.blogspot.com
It is one of the most exciting developments in grassroots rugby in Wales. GOGLEDD CYMRU is our brand name, like Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys.
GOGLEDD CYMRU - Live the dream
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: DaveAitch (IP Logged)
Date: 11/06/2008 20:40
particle man, Interesting I shall look that up. I know Eirias Park well. I saw Mark Cox play tennis there when he was an Oxbridge undergraduate (c1965) and have run round the track a couple of times.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: DaveAitch (IP Logged)
Date: 11/06/2008 20:56
Gavin Roberts who was billed as playing outside the region plays at Caldy. He joined last year. A centre or full-back he is a decent place kicker. I imagine he will be first choice next season for most games.
Just a further thought, did this team take over from the old North Wales side? It used to be a fair team, certainly close to English County standard (when county rugby had the top players). Mind I am going back 40 years or so.
Just a further thought, did this team take over from the old North Wales side? It used to be a fair team, certainly close to English County standard (when county rugby had the top players). Mind I am going back 40 years or so.
Re: North Wales Rugby : Is this the way forward?
Posted by: torpoint albi (IP Logged)
Date: 27/06/2008 10:23
Good luck to all involved in the North Wales Regional Rugby Team.
Although I am originally from Flint in North Wales, and played for my school team in the seventies. I only learned to love Rugby after I joined the Royal Navy and moved to Plymouth.
I do fear that with football being such a high profile sport in the North that it will be difficult to attract a large fan base.
Again good luck with it and I do hope it takes off.
Although I am originally from Flint in North Wales, and played for my school team in the seventies. I only learned to love Rugby after I joined the Royal Navy and moved to Plymouth.
I do fear that with football being such a high profile sport in the North that it will be difficult to attract a large fan base.
Again good luck with it and I do hope it takes off.