| “MEETING THE CRITERIA” |
| 14th February 2008 CAERPHILLY R.F.C. have been making serious and strenuous efforts off the pitch to meet the current Welsh Rugby Union criteria for Principality Welsh Premiership status and an opportunity to play top-flight rugby once again. Writes Phil Whitfield. The hard work put in behind the scenes to comply with the above criteria paid off handsomely this week when the Virginia Park club attained the required standard set by the W.RU. The team to finish top of the Welsh National League Division One East will go into a “play-off” final match with the leader of the Welsh national League Division One West for promotion into the Welsh Premiership. Bearing in mind that BOTH teams must satisfy the current criteria for a play-off to take place. The winner of the final will be promoted and the bottom placed team in the Welsh Premiership will be relegated into Division One. If only one of the champions of their respective Divisions meets the criteria, then that team will be promoted and the bottom team in the Welsh Premiership will be relegated. The criteria, or given its correct title, “The Premier League Audit Assessment 2008” is a list of requirements laid down by the W.R.U. The assessment covers four main areas: - 1. Finance and Administration. 2. Regulatory. 3. Player Development 4. Facilities. The fourteen teams already playing rugby in the Premiership comply with the criteria. Caerphilly, along with Pontypool, Beddau and Newbridge, who are a tier below in the Welsh National League Division One East are now eligible for promotion. Caerphilly are currently third place on 41 points in the League. Pontypool are top of the table with 47 points and Bargoed second with 46 points. Caerphilly Chairman, Phil Emanuel sounded very enthusiastic about the latest development at Virginia Park, “This is great news for our club. It took a great deal of hard work and I am proud to say we now meet the criteria.” He added, “I hope this will give our players, coach’s and members a boost for the rest of the season. The door has been opened as it gives our players an opportunity to ply their trade in the Premier Division.” And a final word of thanks from the man at the helm, “The committee at Caerphilly R.F.C. would like to show their appreciation to Rob Roome for the tremendous effort towards attaining the criteria and a special thank you to Richard and Alex James. They attended numerous meetings at the Millennium Stadium and assisted the committee and the club in reaching their goal.” “The futures bright, the futures Green and White.” |
| Coaching news |
| It is with great pleasure Caerphilly R.F.C. announce the arrival of
Matthew Back to Virginia Park. Matthew will fill the void left by backs
coach, Gerry Roberts who parted company with Caerphilly a few weeks
ago. Matthew joins Caerphilly having recently left Premier Division side, Crosskeys, where he excelled is his role as match analyst, skills/fitness coach and assistant to backs coach, David Manley. Matthew will work with the First XV and alongside forwards coach, Phil Agar. He has signed with Caerphilly until the end of this season. Having witnessed the second half of the Pontypool match Matthew is very upbeat about the potential in the side, and is keen to exploit their positive attitude towards fitness, and help develop an understanding between the backs. Matthew, an ex-welsh international, has applied his trade at various clubs including Waunarlwydd, and Cross Keys after playing his last serious Union game in 2001. |
| New Club Membership Cards |
| The clubhouse has now been equipped with a new till system that allows fully paid-up club members to use their new swipe cards and receive discounts on all drinks bought at the club. Anyone wishing to join or renew their membership, please contact Robin on 07973 403 545. Please note that the new cards can take up to 10 days to process. |
| Caerphilly Supporters |
| Thank You for your on going support over the years and we look forward
to having your support for the forthcoming season. There are three
trial matches listed below and our first league game of the season
welcomes the Black Army of Llantrisant to Virginia Park on Saturday
1st September 2007. We have strengthened our squad somewhat over the past few months and a lot of people have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that we start the season in the best possible way. I look forward to seeing all of our committed supporters new and old on the 1st September @ Virginia Park! Jon Pritchard 1st XV Team Manager |
| New Forwards Coach 2007 / 2008 |
| I am sure you will all join me in welcoming our new forwards coach Ian
Greenslade to the club. Ian earned his reputation as a formidable opponent
whilst playing top flight rugby at Bridgend, he has an abundance of
knowledge and is a quality coach of which we are very pleased to have
secured his services for the season ahead. Any questions related directly to the team or squad then please e-mail me at jonopritchard@hotmail.com and I will be glad to assist in any way possible. New players are always welcome at Virginia Park. Training is on Tuesday at 6.30pm and Thursday at 6.30pm. Jonathan Pritchard, 1st XV Manager for Caerphilly RFC |
| Caerphilly Tigers |
  Caerphilly
Tigers would proudly like to congratulate Joanne Jones on being selected
to Captain the East Wales Regional Under 14 side. Scrum Half Jo was
the first Tiger to be selected for the Under 14 Regional side and got
the honour of being asked to skipper the side for the 2006/7 season.
Jo started off her captaincy with a trip to Gloucester on Feb 3rd to
skipper the side in a friendly match against Gloucester County on Kingsholm,
the home of Gloucester RFC. There certainly aren't many Caerphilly players
in any age group who have graced English Premiership grounds! East Wales
ran out victorious 17-12 in that game. She got her first East Wales
cap last weekend against West Wales. Jo and her side ran out resounding
winners of that game, 32-10. This is the start of a big career for the
nippy little scrum half with full International honours a definite possibility!!Caerphilly Tigers Head Coach, Gareth Lewis, said, "Jo is an inspiration to all of us connected with the Tigers. In training she regularly more than holds her own against our senior under 17s, she is always present and never doesn't have a smile on her face. Behind that smile is a determination to better herself. It is a tribute to all her hard work that she is captain of this Regional side, especially as she is a year younger than most of the girls! Well done Jo!" Caerphilly County Borough's Community Rugby Development Officer, James Chapron, resounded, "It is fantastic to see players from Caerphilly Tigers going on to represent their Region, especially being asked to captain the side for this season! Caerphilly Tigers was set up to give girls from the local community a chance to play and enjoy rugby, to see these girls going on to get representative honours is excellent and hopefully Jo will be the first of many!" |
| Latest Result |
 26th
December 2006Caerphilly Veterans 25 - Caerphilly Youth 24 Half-time score: Veterans 0 - Youth 12 Veterans Tries: Mark Hurley, Roger Bidgood (3) Conversions: Roger Bidgood Penalties: Roger Bidgood Youth Tries: Scott Emanuel, Skipper, Pim, Dafydd Conversions: No.24 (2) Sin-bin: Gavin Howells Match Pictures Now Added Click Here |
| Monday 18th December - S4C's "Clwb Heineken" Programme |
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| Rememberance Day | |||
| Caerphilly Rugby Club were well represented at
last weeks Cenotaph Rememberance Day. Our Heatfelt gratitude goes out
to all those who have lost in times of trouble. More rememberance day pictures can be seen by clicking this link |
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| Carless leads out Caerphilly in testimonial |
 Saturday July 1st 2006 saw a testimonial match take place between a veteran Caerphilly side who had graced the Heineken Leagues and a select St. Peters XV in Roath, Cardiff.Hooker Tim Carless who spent over 10 years at Caerphilly celebrated his 40th in fine style by leading the Caerphilly side to a fine victory by 32 points to 25. In a feast of open rugby second row Anthony Evans (Spuddy) was to the fore with a brace of fine tries. Billy Bilton also managed to cross the line as did his fellow front row colleague and former captain Ioan Jones. Not to be left out of the press former Welsh International Roger Bidgood managed to touch down also. Winger Matthew Ferris added one conversion. The after match festivities included a fine hog roast and organiser Phil "The Chief" Easley conducted the after match presentation with his usual repartee. |
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