Having celebrated their 125th anniversary last season the Wanderers have agreed significant changes as they seek to broaden their base and push beyond their current status in the Specsavers National Championship.
“It has been nearly 12 months since our last competitive game, but we have not been idle. Chairman Gerry Blake tasked us with reviving the rugby section within the club to underpin our successful Championship side,” said rugby chairman, Alyn Humphreys
“We’ve held productive discussions with George Taverner, our local hub officer, and the Wanderers will be reviving their junior section as soon as COVID allows it. Under the directorship of Jordan McDonnell we aim to resurrect the section and to include within it a rugby team for girls.”
According to McDonnell there are a number of female players in the west of Cardiff to have to travel some distance to play, so creating a side at the Wanderers will enable them to play closer to home.
“There has been a lot of good work done by clubs in the west of Cardiff, but we know that there are players not associated with other junior sections. We aim to offer those players a chance to get into rugby and to offer to those female players who have to travel some distance to for their rugby a chance to play in their local community,” said McDonnell.
There are also plans to revive the Youth team, which used to be the cornerstone of the club, providing players like Welsh international Pat Daniels to the senior set-up among many others.
“The Youth Team was once the cornerstone of the Wanderers. In this day and age you need to produce your own players and a Youth team can be a source of rich talent,” said Tony Murphy, vice-chair of the rugby committee.
There will be an Open Day for Minis and Girls as at the Wanderers ground on Sunday 9 May as a way of introducing the game to anyone who wishes to give rugby a go. Initially, the invitation is for Mini rugby players between the ages of 6-10 and for Girls aged 11-15.
Registration for the Minis will be at 10.00am with organised coaching sessions laid on by the Welsh Rugby Union and the club’s own qualified coaches.
The Girls Registration is at 12.00 noon and there will be a similar format of organised coaching sessions. There will be refreshments and food on site for all participants and parents throughout both sessions.
To register before the day you can click on this link or simply email glamwandsrfc@gmail.com5
