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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 28th 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.
I look forward to seeing
you soon
Neil Edwards"
From Iron to Steel
Two
highly promising young Ironmen have decided to become Steelmen. Centre Lloyd Hynes and scrum half
Darryl Jenkins, both of whom have been coached by Kristian Owen in age
group rugby, make the short move along the Heads of the Valleys from
Merthyr to Ebbw Vale - a well known route over the years. Lloyd is
comfortable in several positions and is an accomplished goal kicker,
whilst Darryl will bring smooth skills and a highly competitive edge to
the scrum half position.
Centre
Greg Roberts comes back to the club where he was part of Alex Codling’s
successful squad. The Glynneath product is excited at the prospect of his
return to the Steelmen and looking forward to competing with Kristian
Owen, Tristan Davies and Lloyd Hines in the midfield.
Discussions are still ongoing with several other players and will increase
in pace once Head Coach Neil Edwards returns from his well-earned break.
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 2nd
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.
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