You have to get to Pentyrch RFC quite early on a Thursday evening as parking at the club is often at a premium.
The club is proud to boast one of, if not the, largest junior rugby sections in Wales and Thursday night for many of their young players is rugby practise night, with the under 8s, under 10, 11s, 12 and 14s all turning out to learn a few more lessons from their coaches and improve their skills.
With a real strength in numbers of young players at the club, Pentyrch are able to field teams at every age grade level, with the other squads training on different evenings during the week. Perhaps two names in the Pentyrch Under 12s, that followers of Cardiff RFC would be pleased to look out for are Daniel and Lloyd, surnames Stone and Rayer respectively.
The club is proud to have a rich history and not only is it popular for youngsters learning the game but also has a successful record in producing winning teams at every age grade.
Paul Marley, Senior Team Head Coach and also Under-9s coach said,
Our young teams play fixtures in the Cardiff matrix, plus we have played against Whitland, Tondu, Gilfach Goch and competed in tournaments in London, Bath and elsewhere this season.
The problem when we travel to these places is we often win, so they dont always invite us back!
The measure of the standard of rugby development at Pentyrch is that they have young players representing the district and Cardiff Schools in every age group. As a longer term guide, their success is highlighted through the many ex-players who have gone on to achieve more at higher levels both with the region and internationally.
A leading light for young Blues supporters is Blues Open Side Flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor. Formerly a Pentyrch player, Robin won international honours at all representative levels before gaining his first full caps for Wales in this seasons glorious 6 Nations campaign which is still fresh in all our minds.
Although every success at Pentyrch is welcomed with joy and a small spot in the crowded trophy cabinets, Paul is keen to stress the clubs focus on rugby development.
Paul commented,
Although developing the talent of the boys and girls as rugby players is the key to our activity with them, it is our responsibility to work with them so they have the right attitude and understand the spirit of the game. And although we often provide a hard game for our opponents, they always recognise that we played the game in the right way.
The title of largest club junior section in Wales is never taken lightly and news just in records fellow Cardiff club, Rhiwbina, with a larger registration roll than even Pentyrch. Watch this space for more news on Rhiwbina soon. Nevertheless the work at Pentyrch and other clubs like them throughout the Blues region is commendable and essential for the continued success and development of rugby in Wales.