News

Finally after 4 months of lockdown with the clubhouse shut and no rugby being played it came as a massive relief to us all to finally start training and play some U19 fixtures in April.

The management committee has been working tirelessly over the past months   and we would like to update you in relation to what has been going on and what lies ahead in the future.

The Club Grounds

• We now have 3 pitches up and running. We recently decided to dispense with the lower Eastern pitch and very shortly new minis and junior pitches will be created in that area.

• Storage containers are in the process of being cleared out and the large container in the paddock is now also available for use. The general area surrounding the club and the paddock has been thoroughly cleaned and all unwanted equipment and waste has been removed from the site.

• The existing play area to the side of the clubhouse has been cleared and that area will now be used as a beer garden and barbecue area. Large wooden tables have been ordered and hopefully throughout the summer we can all enjoy the benefit of a few beers in the sunshine!

The Clubhouse

• We have installed and commissioned a new boiler so no more trickling cold showers.

• We have refurbished what was formerly the training room next to the skittle alley and created a new club shop and storage area.

• We have refurbished the cellar area and most importantly reinstated the floor and drainage to the cellar.

• We are currently in the process of refurbishing what was formerly the annex area which contained the display cabinets. This will now become a multipurpose area for use by our members and our new youth club. You will hear more about this when you read on.

• The skittle alley, changing rooms and corridors have been redecorated and a big thanks must go out to our local community service team who have also carried out a lot of remedial work around the club grounds.

• Finally, we have commissioned KP Electrics to carry out a survey of all the electrics throughout the club and grounds and we are investing significantly in improvements and remedial works to ensure that our carbon footprint is kept to a minimum and most importantly to make sure we have the highest degree of health and safety systems in place to protect our members and visitors

Barry RFC Limited

We are now an incorporated limited company and our registered directors are Chairman, Mr Mike Prosser, our Honourable Secretary Mr John Venners and our Honourable Treasurer Mr Colin Morris. 

A lot of hard work has been put in by the management committee to get us this far and make the necessary changes to our management structure to take us into the future to achieve the goals that we have set and ultimately secure the long-term future of Barry RFC for generations to come. Highlighted below are some of the changes that have been made and some of the changes that are ongoing:

• We have had to set up new bank accounts and restructure the format of the new bank accounts so to effectively and efficiently manage and monitor the club’s finances.

• We have reviewed and tendered to a number of suppliers with regard to the provision of club merchandise, teamwear and kit.  We hope to make a formal announcement very soon.

• We are in the process of restructuring our membership policies and fees.  Again announcements will follow very soon.

• We are in the process of restructuring our constitution to reflect our new incorporated status. This document will essentially become the new club Handbook and we will enter into a consultation process with our members in due course and any changes in relation to the club constitution as outlined above will be formally voted upon at our annual general meeting in August/September.

• As referred to in previous updates we have been in consultation with the Vale of Glamorgan Council since November 2020 and a number of key proposals were formally put forward by the management committee on behalf of the club to Vale of Glamorgan Council. The management committee have been in regular contact with the Vale of Glamorgan and we are keenly awaiting news from the Vale in relation to some very exciting developments that will have significant bearing on our playing facilities and our future.

• In November 2020 we instructed a local architect to draw up ideas and concept plans for a proposed extension to the club. The springboard to this project depends to a significant degree on the outcome of our ongoing consultation with the Vale of Glamorgan. So hopefully we will have some exciting news to report within the next few months.

New Youth Club

Part of the club’s Mission Statement is to endeavour to make the club as financially sustainable as possible.  

We are also keen to bring our local community into the club.  We have been working very closely with Cardiff Blues and Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales and to this end we are in the process of putting together a financial package to employ two youth workers who will work closely with the younger members of our community for 2 nights a week at the club.   This youth club will hopefully blossom and be of significant benefit to vulnerable members of our younger community and their families.  We hope this project will benefit our own junior members who will also have use of this facility. Hence, we are refurbishing the annex lounge and putting in a number of settees, computer equipment and games to create the best possible environment for this youth club project. We hope to be making further announcements shortly.  The annex will still be available for the whole club when not in use by the youth club. 

General Updates:

• We are pleased to announce that 3 long-standing former players and members of Barry Rugby Club have joined the management committee. Mr Paul Haley, Mr Nick Rolfe and Mr Steve Williams have been welcomed with open arms. These guys bring a lot to the table.  Their personal skills and their professional acumen will only serve to bolster the existing management committee and drive forward with vigour our plans for the future.

• In conjunction with our discussions with Cardiff Blues, the WRU and Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales we are also in the process of endeavouring to put in place two local Hub Officers.  Consultation and negotiation is still ongoing in relation to the funding and employment related issues and hopefully we will have some positive announcements to make in the very near future.

• We save the best till last. Subject to confirmation of the opening of indoor hospitality, the club will be reopening on Saturday, 22 May. Your continued support is absolutely vital to ensure that we can get the club open on a frequent basis as possible. We are planning events for the summer. We have the British Lions test series to look forward to and we are hoping to make some announcements in relation to some outdoor gatherings and functions to bring us all back together as one rugby family.

Many thanks to you all,

THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE