News

A Great Big Thank You from NRFC

You may have noticed that we’ve been a little quiet recently but as we’ve all been adjusting to a new reality and having to make huge personal changes in our day to day lives we didn’t feel it was appropriate to add any distractions to the important changes and challenges that we all now face, whether it be working from home for the first time, carrying out/completing home schooling or looking after/caring for your loved ones, there are many changes for everyone to get used to.

Before talking rugby, we would like to say how humbled we have been in seeing how well the community really has pulled together in order to get through this unprecedented time. Going outside last Thursday evening to cheer for our wonderful NHS staff and hearing all the applause from everyone really did make us feel proud to be a part of this community. We are sure that everyone will join us in spreading this gesture of gratitude and praise to ALL the key workers in our community – they are ALL doing a fantastic job!

So, moving onto Rugby:

Having now had some time to absorb the news from the WRU that they, quite rightly, made the very tough decision to cancel all rugby activity with immediate effect and, therefore, declare the 2019-20 season null and void. While we, obviously, fully support the decision of our governing body it, nonetheless, has still been a particularly heart-breaking piece of news for all involved with the Club.

It has been many years since we have enjoyed such success with our senior squad and the players and our coaching staff have all worked very hard to get us to the position we were in. We were unbeaten and in a very positive position at the top of our league and had also reached the semi-final of the National Plate competition. So, to have the goals of a league title and a place at the Principality Stadium firmly in our sight and not being able to achieve them has been incredibly saddening for the Club.

It’s also been a particularly melancholy time for many others around the Club as all our age grade sections have also been affected by the enormity of the ongoing situation. We particularly have to spare a thought for a number of our youth team that were looking forward to playing their last number of games together as youth players before setting off to play senior rugby. Also, our under 16’s who were playing their last games in junior rugby as a group and who will miss out on their long-planned tour to Belgium. We are also aware that our mini and junior teams have had their end of season plans and tours etc affected by this outbreak.

However, having had the amount of free time on our hands that is normally dedicated to rugby and all things NRFC, it has given us some time to reflect on what has gone on this season and, quite simply, we are very lucky to be in the position we are and to have the people that we’ve got associated with our Club. From our Chairman, Idris McCarthy, to our committee members & volunteers that give up their time working hard behind the scenes to make things work, the senior coaching team and fantastic group of players, all coaches, age reps, players, first aiders and parents who are involved with our mini, junior & youth sections, every business that sponsors any of our teams from top to bottom & to our fantastic supporters – whether it’s a Saturday watching the first team, cheering on our junior sections on a Sunday or maybe both, you have all played a huge part in getting the Club back to where we want it to be.

We now have people coming to the Club, whether it’s for the first time or returning after years away, that want to be a part of our success and this has been down to all those that we’ve mentioned above. The atmosphere and feeling within the Club is reminiscent of the good old days (as we’ve been informed by some of our lifelong supporters who have watched Newbridge for decades). You only need to have been in the Club after a home game on a Saturday to feel the buzz that has been generated, it really is amazing and we thank you all for playing your part.

On reflection, this is just a stop on the journey – the goals and ambitions are still there and we will get back to the journey at the start of the new season and we very much hope that you will all join us on the ride and bring along a friend – it’s going to be a blast.

We will be posting more rugby news as soon as it’s available over the coming weeks.

For now though, please remember – STAY HOME, STAY SAFE and look after our community.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.

NRFC