Rosie racks up 100 games for Gwernyfed

Even though that is a remarkable feat in itself, particularly as the tighthead prop didn’t take up the game until her mid forties, yesterday’s match against Whitland in the Premiership Division of the Welsh Women’s League was special for the whole family.
 
Rosie, who has only missed one game in 10 years, packs down in the front row with her daughter Lily on the other side of the front row, her other daughter Megan plays No 8 and husband Gordon is the team’s head coach.
 
The result may not have gone in Gwernyfed’s favour – Whitland prevailed 33-26 – but no-one was going to stop Rosie’s Gwernyfed teammates from celebrating her big day as both teams formed a guard of honour at the end of the match in her honour.
 
A fairly young club, Gwernyfed has gone from strength to strength since it was set up as Gwernyfed Old Boys by two Gwernyfed School teachers in 1965 but it’s been built on firm foundations in terms of the running of the club.
 
It’s now one of the biggest clubs in Wales in terms of number of teams and players in every category.
Women have always played a key role in off field running of the club and now they have a strong Ladies section on it. The club has a very well-run structure and the female section has a representative on the club’s Board.
 
The Snapes are just one of a large number of families that are active throughout the teams – even in the ladies team there is another family – Rosie Jones is captain, her sisters also play and her dad is another one of the coaches.
 
Rosie takes up her rugby story. “I started playing 10 years ago, always in the front row and I really enjoy it. I’m especially proud to be able to play alongside my daughters Lily and Megan. I get a good sense of achievement if I’ve had a good game, and it’s something we enjoy doing as a family.
 
“It started with some fitness training, we went on to play some friendlies and it’s gone on from there.
 
“Come rain or shine I’m here. I’ve only missed one game through illness but I still get a buzz every matchday. I go to the gym as well a couple of times a week and I think that helps keep me in shape to play.
 
“I think a big part of the attraction in rugby is that it doesn’’t really matter how good or bad you are in rugby, you’ve still got a place on the field. There are no bad feelings, everyone’s really friendly on and off the field.
 
“I would definitely say age is definitely not a barrier. It’s never too late to get out there and give it a go, you never know, you might like it!”
 
Rosie admits prior to yesterday’s memorable occasion, she felt a few nerves ahead of the game.
 
“I was quite nervous all week, but I’ve got a good team around me.”
 
Despite the milestone, Rosie isn’t looking too far into the future.
 
“My daughter keeps threatening to buy me new boots for Christmas but I don’t think I’ll make the 200 mark! I’ll see out the season, until Christmas at least – I won’t let the girls down. It’s a great team and a great club to be part of.”
 
Husband Gordon, who admits he’s a little cautious of substituting Rosie for fear he’ll get no tea added, “I think Rosie’s a great advert for the game – afterall, we are trying to get more mums – and daughters involved in rugby and sport generally.
 
“With the Kites cluster for girls also based at the club over the last two summers, the future is bright – or as I say – from grass roots to green shoots!”
 
And club chairman Rob Stephens believes he has some of the answers to what makes the club such a hub of the whole community.
 
“Rugby is fun, exercise, meeting friends, making friends. The women’s section is a great example – and the girls’ cluster that the WRU have set up here which is brilliant. It’s bringing people together from all around the area and they’re making friends for life.
 
“That’s what sport allows you to do – you get to know so many different people. We’re a family club from 7-70, everyone has a say and we think everyone enjoys coming here.”
 
The club has a close relationship with the WRU club operations department accessing  more than £40,000 in facilities grant funding over the years but it has also raised a huge amount through its own fundraising initiatives, recently purchasing their pitches from Powys Council.
 
Stephens added, “My advice to other clubs is be proactive in your relationship with WRU to access grants – something we’ve done for various things such as a new boiler, new kitchen and hopefully pitch work will be the next project.”
 
The club, school and WRU have also joined forces to place a development officer in the community, Bronnie Jones, to increase opportunities, especially for girls.