Bellway donation helps Taffs Well RFC youth team complete first overseas tour

Daniel Bevan - Editor

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.

Taffs Well Rugby Club’s Youth Team has completed its first overseas tour after receiving a £500 donation from housebuilder Bellway.

The club used the donation to buy new team vests for the 23 players, aged between 16 and 18, who travelled to Lloret de Mar on the Spanish coast for a weekend-long tour.

The black vests were worn by the players while travelling to and from matches, helping the newly formed team create a stronger sense of identity during its first overseas trip.

The Youth Team was established in September last year and competes in the Cardiff Youth League Division 3. Players were accompanied on the tour by coaches and parents.

Team coach Ben Atkin said: “Going on tour is a big part of rugby and really helps with team bonding. Wearing the new vests made the players look professional throughout the trip and helped to create a stronger sense of togetherness and collective pride which is vital for team spirit. It made a huge difference.

“To get a donation like this means the world to us, to the boys, the coaches and the parents. We do a lot of fundraising for the club so to have a business come in and help is great. We want to thank Bellway for its support.”

Bellway previously donated £500 to the club last year, with the funding used to buy training tops for players and coaches in the Under 16 junior team.

Atkin said: “For a team that are first year youth, and a lot of the boys hadn’t played before, we have had some good results this year.

“Being involved in rugby teaches lessons for life. You speak to any rugby player and they will tell you that it instils good morals such as teamwork, friendship, respect and good skills for life.”

Daniel Shone, Head of Sales for Bellway Wales, said: “We’re committed to supporting the communities where we build and we recognise the important role that Taffs Well RFC plays in local life, particularly in providing opportunities for young people to take up the sport and develop important life skills.

“Following our donation to the Under 16 junior team last year, we were more than happy to support the newly formed Youth Team ahead of their first overseas tour. We’re pleased that the tour was a success and wish the team all the best for the future.”

Bellway has completed 95 homes at its Coed Derw development in nearby Llantwit Fadre, on the site of the former Clariant plant off Llantrisant Road. The site had been vacant since the plant closed in 2012, and all homes at the development have now been sold.