Recent News

A message from Neil Edwards
"Dear Supporters,
I would like to start by apologising for not speaking to you for several weeks. There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes at EXP. We have finalised the majority of our playing squad for the forthcoming season. I have left a few squad spaces open and have some very promising young players on trial who will be working towards securing themselves contracts and filling the remaining slots.

I would also like to inform you that Kristian Owen has decided to leave our organisation. Unfortunately, due to family and work commitments, Kris feels that he does not have the required time available to perform his duties as a coach or player and has left the club. We wish Kristian all the best for the future.

However the challenge ahead of us still remains the same and it was extremely important that we found the right man to join our coaching team. I am delighted to announce that we have secured the services of Jason Strange as player/coach. Jason will need no introduction to most followers of Ebbw Vale. He has played here for over five years scoring around 1000 points for the club in what was a very successful period for the Steelmen. He left in 2000 and went on to play for Newport , Bristol and most recently Leeds Carnegie. Having been a professional player for over a decade, Jason’s experience and rugby knowledge will be an invaluable resource to us.

So now we get down to the important stuff, training starts Monday 28^th June at Brynmawr Comprehensive School at 6pm. Session are running there on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout July and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cae Canol throughout August. Supporters are more than welcome to attend sessions to familiarise yourselves with your new squad.

Squad 2010-11: the story so far (280510)
The Ebbw Vale coaches announced three more signings at the Coaches' night, which was attended by over 50 supporters. The re-signing of hooker Mathew “Chunky” Williams received instant applause, as the ever popular Ebbw stalwart extends his stay at the club, while Ashley Sweet, the 21 year old former Wales U20 2^nd Row, joins after playing 32 games for Cardiff. He is looking forward to working with Neil to continue to improve his game. Also coming to ECP is Tristran Davies, the highly experienced centre who captained Carmarthen Quins last season. Tristran was a professional player for many seasons in the Guinness premiership and with Llanelli. His power, passing ability and defensive capability are a big plus for the Steelmen.

Ebbw Vale's coaching team is now complete, with the news that former scrum half Llyr Lane will be joining as Skills and Conditioning Coach. A club spokesman said, "It's great to have Llyr's experience at the club. As well as his coaching input, he will register as a player to provide extra cover at scrum half." Llyr joins Head Coach, Neil Edwards, and Assistant Coach, Kristian Owen.

The news on player signings so far begins with influential number eight John Bowd, who has decided to come back from Neath. His experience, hard tackling and strong ball carrying will be major plus points for the Steelmen. Another recruit, coming back from Pontypool for a second spell with Ebbw, is outside half Sam Mills, an important figure in Pooler's successful escape from relegation last season. Firm favourite and winner of the Ivor Evans Clubman of the Year, Andrew Bevan - fondly referred to by supporters as "the oldest winger in town" - will be joined by long-serving second row, Matt Griffin, who is looking forward to an injury-free season, and centre Matthew Lewis. The ex-Builth Wells man impressed with some powerful displays in the 12 shirt towards the end of last season and will be looking forward to linking with the experienced Sam Mills and Kristian Owen whose signings were announced yesterday.

Hooker Ben Parry, who arrived from Pontypool United during the season, and put in some eye-catching work in several games, has agreed terms. He will be joined by three backs: Gary Wilkes, a pacy winger with a huge left boot, who had very limited opportunity to shine at Ebbw last term but who is sure to feature in the coaches' plans for 2010-1; Tom Watkins who joined mid-season from Nantyglo, having had previous Division One experience with Newbridge; and Wes Cunliffe, who played at Tredegar last year, having previously seen more Division One action with Blackwood. A club spokesman described Wes as "genuinely fast" and said that Ebbw Vale is delighted to secure his services.

Ebbw Vale RFC has beaten off stiff competition to secure the signing of Tredegar-based scrummaging powerhouse, Ross Jones. Ross, who has been outstanding for Bargoed in Division One, is clearly Premiership quality and had a previous spell at Eugene Cross Park a few season ago. Director Jonathan Jones told the website, "This is great news for Ebbw Vale. Ross is rated amongst the very best props on the club scene. He is at home on either side of the front row and his experience of the tough battles in Division One will be of immense benefit to us."

Also returning to the club where he played his early rugby is the excellent second row forward Damien Hudd who signs from Brynmawr. Damien impressed in a couple of permit appearances last season and was a major target for the coaches and management. "Damien is a big, strong, physical player and we are delighted to have him on board," said Jones. "These signings are yet another indication of the club's intent for 2010-11."

Following news of the recruitment of experienced players, the club is very pleased to announce the arrival of two of Blaenau Gwent's most exciting young prospects. Blaina's 20 year old scrum half, David Jones, earned some rave reviews last season as the Lambs mounted a successful campaign to maintain their Division Three status and will be one to watch for the Steelmen in Division One. Nathan Preece, also 20 and a former member of the Dragons' Academy, joins from his hometown club of Brynmawr having had previous spells at Pontypool and Cross Keys. Nathan is equally comfortable at full back, wing or centre and will add valuable versatility to the three-quarters. A club spokesman said, "We want to give local talent a chance to develop and shine at a higher level. David and Nathan most definitely fit into that category and we are very pleased that they have both agreed to join us."

Edwards: "We want to bounce straight back"
New Head Coach Neil Edwards has issued a strong message to Ebbw supporters and players. “We can’t afford to have any passengers," he told the website. "We've got one shot at this and the club may never be the same if we don’t bounce back first time. There is a lot of pressure and a second season in Division One is not in our thoughts. That is not to say we don’t know how tough it will be, there are some good sides in this division and they will want the scalp of Ebbw. But we are looking to win this league, win the pressure play-off game if there is to be one and keep the core for 2011-12 back in the Premiership."

Neil is already hard at work, with Assistant Coach Kristian Owen and the club management to assemble a squad capable of doing just that. Recruitment is going very well, with two-year contracts on the table to enable retention of the core of the squad for 2011-2012. All the news of signings will be brought to you when details are finalised.

"The plan is to put together a back line that can ask plenty of questions of Division One defences but the initial approach will be far more pragmatic," Neil said. "Game management will be key; at first we will look to have a solid pack with a good lineout and scrum. We will look to play in the right areas through the half-backs and have a solid defence. But we will be looking to expand as we develop and get to know each other.”

As well as Neil Edwards and Kristian Owen returning to Eugene Cross Park, the club is also delighted to welcome back Doug Taylor as Team Manager for the coming season. Doug left the role at the club four seasons ago but has remained a loyal supporter since and has come forward to rejoin the team, filling the gap left when Alan Evans stood down in March.

Supporters' Club End-of-season bash
The Supporters' Club rounded off the season with a big party on Friday. You can read all about it and find out who won the three big awards here...

General Meeting report
There was standing room only at the Riverside Suite on Thursday evening when around 150 EVRFC members gathered to hear the management team outline the present financial situation and plans for the future, both on and off the field

President Mark Powell, Jonathan Jones and Peter Thomas told members that the decreased funding from the WRU as a result of relegation translates to a huge loss of £68000 in income. As Mark stated, "This club is ours, there is no rich benefactor to come and rescue us any longer. It is up to us, the members, whether we succeed or not."

The message, loud and clear, was that all supporters need to raise money for the club, by personal donation, by renewing (maybe even upgrading) their own membership, by persuading lapsed members to return, recruiting new members, selling lottery tickets, securing more sponsorship from local businesses, by using the club as a social setting for entertainment and refreshment.

Although the news about the finances was received somberly, the mood of the meeting was positive - helped in no small part when Malcolm Baker pledged £1000 from the Past Players' Association - with many suggestions from the floor. It was also raised when Peter Thomas announced that Neil Edwards and Kristian Owen are returning to the club as coaches and are already working on player recruitment and planning for a promotion campaign next season.

Just think: the club has about 500 members. If we each raised - in whatever way we can - an extra £200, we'd give the club a new income of £100,000. It really is time to show how much Ebbw Vale Rugby Football Club means to us!"

Members' Awards
The results of the members' Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year votes were announced at half time during the Neath match. To nobody's surprise, the former was won by the outstanding Rhys Williams (sponsored by Masquerade) and the latter by Saturday's hat-trick hero and, surely, future Welsh international, Aaron Coundley. Congratulations to both! Presentations will take place at the Supporters' Club's annual party on April 30th.
Please note that these awards are separate from, and in addition to, the Supporters' Club awards.