Category: Supporters Club News

PRESENTATION EVENING & HALL OF FAME 2018/19

Photos courtesy of Len Kowalski of www.lensworkphotography.co.uk

Neath RFC’s Annual Presentation Evening run in conjunction as usual with the Neath Rugby Supporters’ Club Hall of Fame and sponsored by Low Cost Vans proved another huge success.

Around 150 supporters were present to enjoy the evening’s events which embrace the present generation as well as the past.

Neath RFC rugby secretary and historian Mike Price introduced proceedings which got off on a sad note with the news that former Neath centre, captain and coach Glen Ball had passed away earlier in the afternoon.

After a totally respectful minute’s silence, the evening got into full swing with an excellent buffet served at “half-time”.

A season of untold misery was put behind everyone as there were presentations galore as the supporters’ appreciation of the efforts of those who stayed was confirmed.

The players who stuck by the Club each received a handsome memento and NRSC presented a plaque recording the names of the clubs who helped out by permitting players – this will surely become a point of interest for visitors in future.

Special awards were made to Lee Evans and Alec Jenkins who are retiring and embarking upon coaching careers at Aberdare RFC and Pontyberem RFC respectively while captain Aaron Bramwell and his wife Terri received a special memento too.

As is usual on this ever-popular annual occasion, the Past honoured the Present and the Present honoured the Past.

Centre Jarrad Rees, one of several new signings for the Club for next season, carried off the Young Player of the Year award while predictably captain Aaron Bramwell won the acclaim as senior Player of the Year.

Then came the “Hall of Fame” inductions with Wilson Lauder, Jonathan Davies, Rowland Phillips, Patrick Horgan and Duncan Jones on hand to join the elite band of Neath RFC legends.

Previous inductees are : T.P. Whittington, Rees Stephens, Roy John, Courtenay Meredith, Ron Waldron, Grahame Hodgson, Brian Thomas, Glen Ball, Martyn Davies, Dave Morris, David Parker, Glyn Shaw, Mike Richards, Elgan Rees, Carl Gnojek, Phil Pugh, Steve Powell, David Morgan, Brian Williams, Paul Thorburn, Jeremy Pugh, Kevin Phillips, Gareth Llewellyn, Allan Bateman, Shane Williams and Adam Jones.

The raffle and auctioned ball featuring the signatories of the five latest inductees raised valuable funds which will be donated to the fund set up to buy back the Club into the promised supporters’ ownership.

NRSC chairman Len Kowalski, vice chairman Dawn Williams, secretary Kevin Widlake and Paula Thomas are to be congratulated on co-ordinating another wonderful evening.

The speeches, anecdotes and general good fun characterised an emotional evening which firmly illustrated the fact that Neath RFC is alive and well – no matter what is thrown in its direction !

2019 HALL OF FAME DATE RELEASED

The date for the 2019 Hall of Fame is has been released, and it is going to be held on Friday May 24th at the Neath Rugby clubhouse. This annual event is now in it’s 6th year, wow, that’s gone by very quickly.

In that time we have inaugurated former players such as Shane Williams, Steve Powell as well as Brian Williams and Brian Thomas to name a few. Who do you think will join them this year? We will be releasing the date and price the tickets go on sale shortly, along with the names of those being entered into this years inauguration. So watch this space.

The event will again incorporate the Neath Rugby players award night. This has gone down well with both players and supporters alike. So keep your eyes peeled for the ticket release date on social media and in the matchday programme. Existing members will get a reminder via email or post. This event does get sold out, to avoid disappointment as tickets are limited, buy them early. All profits raised at this event will go into the fund for regaining our club.

We look forward to seeing you all there on the night.

NEATH RUGBY SUPPORTERS CLUB AGM

The Neath Rugby Supporters Club AGM will take place on Thursday 26th July at 7:00pm at the Neath RFC clubhouse.

The AGM will be an opportunity to hear what the club has achieved in the past year and to elect or re-elect officers for the coming year.

Admission to the AGM will be strictly for members only, so please remember to bring your membership cards with you.

HALL of FAME – HIGHLIGHTS

Neath Rugby Supporters Club Annual Presentation & Hall Of Fame Induction Evening

The annual awards evening was a great success.
A summary of the awards are as follows:

Neath RFC Supporters Club Hall Of Fame Induction 2017/18:
Grahame Hodgson
Mike Richards
Carl Gnojek
David Morgan
Adam Jones

Neath RFC Hall Of Fame Presentation
Supporters Club Player Of The Year
Sion Crocker

Neath RFC Hall Of Fame Presentation
Departing Players Awards
Geraint James
Aled Morris
Matthew Pearce
Matthew Davies

Neath RFC Hall Of Fame Presentation
Magic Moment – Matthew Davies

Neath RFC Hall Of Fame Presentation
Most Improved Player – Liam Tobias

Neath RFC Hall Of Fame Presentation
Best Newcomer – Mike Evans

Vote for your Player of the Year

Neath Rugby Supporters Club are inviting members to vote for their player of the year.

Between now and the end of the season, members can cast their vote and have their say on who they think deserves to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Alex Humphrey, Leon Ward and Ed Howley.

We want to know who you think the standout performer has been – who gave it their all, week in, week out? Who impressed you the most?

Members can vote by visiting the supporters club table in the clubhouse at the Neath v Llandovery game on Saturday and the Aberavon game on 4th May. You can also email your selection to info@neathrugbysupporters.com – ensure you include your name and your supporters club membership number.

The winner will be presented with their award at the Hall of Fame night on Friday 18th May.

So get thinking, and make sure you vote for your favourite player.

Please note:
Voting is only open to Neath Rugby Supporters Club members.
One vote per member.
Closing date for voting – Friday 4th May

Hall of Fame Tickets Go On Sale

Tickets for Neath Rugby Supporters Club’s annual Hall of Fame night will be going on sale at the Neath v Llandovery game on Saturday.

Taking place on Friday 18th May, the evening will see Neath greats Adam Jones, Dai Morgan, Carl Gnojek, Mike Richards and Grahame Hodgson inducted into the Hall of Fame. The popular event has always sold out in the past and so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets as soon as possible.

Tickets cost £10 for supporters club members and £12.50 for non-members and will be on sale from the supporters club table in the clubhouse before and after Saturday’s game.

Make sure you secure yours before they all go.

18th May confirmed as Hall of Fame celebration night

We can now confirm the date of our annual Hall of Fame night.

The hugely popular event will take place this year on Friday 18th May at the clubhouse.

Ticket prices and further details will be confirmed in due course but keep this date free if you’d like to come along.

Don’t forget, we’re still looking for nominations for induction into the Hall of Fame. We’ve had a great response so far but we still want to hear who you would like to include. This is how you can nominate:
On this website – Leave a comment under this article
On Twitter – tweet us @neathsupporters #NeathHoF
On Facebook – Visit us on Facebook and leave a comment on the Hall of Fame thread
E-mail – Send your nomination to info@neathrugbysupporters.com
In person – Visit our table in the clubhouse on match days.

2018 Hall of Fame Launched

Neath Rugby Supporters Club have launched the search for five more greats to join their illustrious Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2014 to honour some of Neath RFC’s greatest ever players. Amongst the players to have been admitted in the past are legendary figures such as Brian Thomas, Brian Williams, Elgan Rees and Dai Morris, current Head Coach Gareth Llewellyn, club stalwart Steve Powell and Wales’ leading try scorer Shane Williams.

Now, the supporters club is on the lookout for more of the club’s all time greats to join them as they seek to recognise and honour individuals synonymous with Neath RFC – the legendary figures who have shown exceptional commitment and contribution to the club.

Over the next few weeks the supporters club will be asking supporters to nominate any individual who they feel will be worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame. They can be a player, a coach, an administrator or volunteer. Basically, any person who has shown a remarkable loyalty and commitment to Wales’ oldest rugby club.

There’ll be no shortage of candidates spread across the decades. The likes of Grahame Hodgson, Adam Jones or maybe Barrie Williams are all likely to feature in people’s thinking, but anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to Neath RFC can be nominated.

How to nominate
Supporters can make their nomination in a number of ways:
On this website – Leave a comment under this article
On Twitter – tweet us @neathsupporters #NeathHoF
On Facebook – Visit us on Facebook and leave a comment on the Hall of Fame thread
E-mail – Send your nomination to info@neathrugbysupporters.com
In person – Visit our table in the clubhouse on match days.

The deadline for nominations is Saturday 31^st March and fans can nominate as many individuals as they like. The final inductees will then be chosen by a panel of Supporters Club members and then be formally inducted at the Hall of Fame celebration evening at the end of the season (date to be confirmed).

So get your thinking caps on and let us know who you would like to see in the 2018 Hall of Fame.

Supporters Club Calls on Fans to Help it Reach Milestone

Neath Rugby Supporters Club is calling on fans to help it reach a remarkable milestone.

In just four years in existence the supporters club have made over £9000 worth of donations to Neath RFC and now, on the eve of a new season, the club is looking to make even more contributions and hit the £10,000 target.

The supporters club’s first donation to the squad of nutritional supplements, was made back in September 2013, just weeks after the club was formed. Since then the club have bought items as diverse as training tops, fitness equipment, water bottles, and even a washing machine.

In addition, the club has also paid for the refurbishment of the physio’s room and the redecoration of the Gnoll’s changing rooms. Also, this summer, for the second year in succession, the supporters club also made a significant contribution to the ground’s maintenance, buying items such as sand, fertiliser and grass seed.

We are really proud of our members and supporters who have backed us over the years. We couldn’t have made such significant contributions without your backing. However, we are not resting on our laurels and are aiming to push on and make many more contributions.

To do this we need more members to join the supporters club and so we are calling on anyone who hasn’t joined for this season to do so at Saturday’s game with Swansea. Through these donations supporters can make a real and practical difference to the team. Every extra member we have will allow us to make more donations to the club.

Membership of Neath Rugby Supporters Club costs just £10 for the year and all profits go directly back into helping Neath RFC return to the top of Welsh club rugby.

COACHES Q&A EVENING (Tuesday 22nd August)

With the new season almost upon us, Neath Rugby Supporters Club is inviting fans of Neath RFC to a special preview evening on Tuesday 22nd August.

The evening will start with the players going through the paces in a pre-season training sessions of the summer.

Then, at 8:30pm in the clubhouse, coach Paul Williams and team manager Martyn Morris will give supporters the latest news on the squad, as well as giving their thoughts on the challenges ahead in the new season. Some of the players will also be present. Fans will also have the opportunity to quiz the panel on the coming campaign.

Entry is free and open to everyone. There will be an opportunity to join the supporters club on the evening, in readiness for the coming campaign.

During the past year, the Supporters Club supported Neath RFC with donations a video camera to help with analysis, a washing machine to wash kit as well as helping with pitch maintenance over the summer. This was only possible due to the extraordinary backing of supporters that we received. Naturally the more members we have, the greater is our ability is so support the team, so please make sure you sign up for the 2017/18 season. Membership costs only £10 for the season and really does go a long way to supporting YOUR team.

(Due to a prior engagement, Gareth Llewellyn is unable to be present but Martyn Morris and Paul Williams, as well as some players will be there to answer your questions.)