RUGBY UNION: Three clubs from Caerphilly County Borough could feature in next year’s Principality Premiership, after their ground’s facilities were deemed good enough by the WRU.
Bedwas and Cross Keys, who currently play in the Premiership, have been joined by Bargoed in being granted an A Licence from the sport’s governing body in Wales.
Bargoed, infamously, should have been playing in the Premiership this season after topping the Swalec Championship last season.
However, the club was not granted an A Licence by the WRU, meaning they missed out on promotion.
But the club has now been granted the licence, together with Merthyr, Pontypool, RGC 1404 and Swansea.
Neil Carter, Chairman of Bargoed RFC, said: “This has been a mammoth effort from start to finish. We’ve done it the hard way – the project was driven by a small team within the club, using our own resources and with a great deal of help from friends, sponsors and business contacts.
“We’ve had advice along the way from the WRU and practical support from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
“The improvements to the facilities in Bargoed Park, paid for by the club, will benefit the whole community for years to come.
“All that remains now is to finish the task by delivering results on the pitch. We’re halfway through the season and currently lie fifth so we’ve got some work to do.”
The four top Championship clubs with A Licences at the end of the season will be promoted into the Principality Premiership.
It will then be ring-fenced until the end of the 2018/19 season, meaning no relegation from, or promotion to, the league.
WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said,: “The Principality Premiership is a vital part of the player pathway where almost all of our international players cut their teeth in senior rugby.
“Throughout the A Licence process, clubs have shown a real sense of ambition and determination to improve themselves both on and off the field and now the race is on to clinch the four available spots for the next three seasons of Principality Premiership rugby.
“The fact that there will be no relegation in the division for the next three seasons will hopefully help the coaches and players to concentrate on development and on producing an entertaining brand of rugby which will help produce Welsh professional players of the future.”