Rugby club set to take over running of village pitches from council

Senghenydd RFC has been tipped to take over the management of the pitches, pavilion and bowling green at the village’s Welfare Park and Windsor Colliery playing field.

Caerphilly County Borough Council cabinet members have backed a 25-year lease proposal to hand the leisure sites to the rugby club under a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) deal.

Cllr Amanda McConnell said the club had come up with a “robust and credible business case, demonstrating both a capacity and commitment to manage these assets for the community’s benefit”.

Matthew Bateman, from Senghenydd RFC, said the club had played “a central role in the community” for more than 125 years.

He said transferring the assets to the club would make them “available for a far broader range of local people” including for women’s sports, older adults and local schools.

The deal would also lead to improved toilet access for users of the sites, and help “safeguard and enhance” the buildings there.

The council has extended its use of CATs to hand over some of its unwanted or unused assets to interested community groups, who are then responsible for their management and upkeep.

From the council’s point of view, such deals also reduce financial obligations associated with maintaining a large estate.

Cllr McConnell told cabinet colleagues Senghenydd RFC is a “long-established, volunteer-led organisation” with more than 350 regular users.

The club’s proposals for the site include “increasing participation among women and girls, developing a girls’ rugby hub, introducing walking rugby for older adults, expanding opportunities for people with disabilities, increasing school use, and making the facilities more accessible for wider community activities and events”.

Cllr Chris Morgan added that “with Senghenydd Bowls Club closing last year, which was a big loss to the community, this is a great opportunity for Senghenydd RFC to continue their fantastic community work”.

Following the cabinet’s backing, the council will launch a formal consultation on the CAT plans.