Bedwas RFC celebrates its 125th anniversary this summer and is looking to the future by embarking on an exciting new phase in its rugby development.
The Principality Premiership club has stuck to its values, remaining true to its roots as a community club, owned and run by its members.
As well as competing well in the top flight, Bedwas serves the whole rugby community from under sevens upwards and boasts a newly formed girls Under 15 side.
But for chairman Mark Lewis there is room for development and he has linked up with the WRU and Bedwas High School to ensure rugby maintains its integral place in the town.
Mr Lewis said: “For many years there was a natural rugby progression in our villages. Basic skills were learned pre-school on streets and in welfare grounds. Secondary schools often had a rugby ethos and an enthusiastic rugby master who provided a natural pathway, developing players so the school had a first XV playing locally and up to county competition standard.
“These were the players who came to clubs such as Bedwas to form a strong youth XV and moved seamlessly through their rugby career to first team rugby and beyond.”
Mr Lewis claims that the changes brought about from educational reform through to the advent of professional and semi-professional rugby has undermined this successful natural transition.
To combat this he has joined with Bedwas High School headteacher, Peter Ward, who wants to rebuild the school as a “rugby school”.
Mr Lewis said: “If a club like Bedwas is to succeed it isn’t good enough just to play competitive premiership rugby – even though that is important both for players and spectators and to provide role models for aspiring youngsters.
“We have to be more hands on in promoting the game at all levels and encouraging the local talent through our own club’s pathway so that local players can compete to play at their own local clubs highest levels.
“This summer we will be celebrating our 125 year anniversary, but perhaps more importantly helping to put in place three key building blocks which will help us to meet our ambition of securing our future by nurturing our local talent.
“With the help of WRU and school funding, a new School Rugby Officer will be appointed at Bedwas High, charged with promoting rugby in school and strengthening the flow to Bedwas RFC of players of all ages up to and including under 18s.
“Secondly the very well respected and knowledgeable former head of PE at Bedwas High, Mr Jimmy Stokes, will be joining the team at Bedwas with a mandate to support the development of coaching and playing at all under 18 levels.
“Thirdly, the club, with the generous support of a regeneration grant from Caerphilly County Borough Council, will be investing in a state of the art fitness suite at Bedwas High for the benefit of players, school and community.
“If we are to compete with the best, we must be as prepared as the best and these new developments will help to bring that about.”