Following hundreds of nominations the three clubs who have been shortlisted for the accolade, to be awarded at the Ospreys End of Season Awards Dinner, have been named.
Friday will see a glittering night at the Liberty Stadium forthe Ospreys End of Season Awards Dinner and for the second year clubs from across the region will be recognised and rewarded at the event. After a request for the public to nominate clubs they felt deserved to be named Community Club of the Year, hundreds of entries were received for many different clubs and a judging panel met to shortlist the top three. Representatives from the clubs will join Ospreys in the Community at the Awards Dinner on Friday 10th May to find out who has been named the winner.
The nominees are:
Bridgend Sports
Bridgend Sports received a wealth of public nominations for the award and the judging panel were impressed with how passionate the members and parents were about the club. Almost all of their nominations mentioned the fact that the club at all ages was incredibly inclusive, both on and off field, and that everyone got equal game time regardless of their ability. That this was a club for all rather than just the elite players, and somewhere that really put a lot into developing all their players through dedicated and quality coaching. Many parents also mentioned how their children’s self-esteem and behaviour had improved since joining Bridgend Sports. Alongside their on-field achievements this year, the club have been shortlisted for the fantastic welcoming experience and family environment that they provide for their members and the values of teamwork and respect that they instil in their young players.
Pyle RFC/Pyle Piglets
A huge number of nominations came in for Pyle RFC in recognition of their very successful efforts to set up a minis and junior section at the club. After many years with only senior sides, 2018/19 saw the birth of the Pyle Piglets which in under year has grown to now having over 100 young players from all backgrounds getting to train and play rugby week in week out. Many nominations noted that due to the Piglets being set up children who had never picked up a rugby ball before had now taken up the sport and that the impact of the club was being felt across the community with parents noting their children’s confidence and social skills had grown. The parents wanted to reward the coaches and volunteers behind the scenes whose hard work and commitment had made it all possible. The judging panel were also impressed with Pyle’s work to be inclusive and welcoming to all, with coaches and staff recently completing Autism awareness training with ASD Wales.
West Swansea Hawks
The nominations also came in thick and fast for West Swansea Hawks with nominators sharing their thanks to the club for offering so many rugby options for girls aged 6 – 18. The Hawks have grown swiftly over the last few years and this season had over 100 girls registered. Parents said the coaches and volunteers offered an inspiring and approachable family environment where nothing was too much trouble. The judging panel noted the fact that rugby was offered to all from novices to more experienced players, who have also gone on to represent the Ospreys, and that such was the environment created at the club that the older players also help to train the young girls. Families who nominated the West Swansea Hawks also said that their children had learnt new skills and had improved confidence since joining and everyone there was encouraged by the fantastic coaches, who were always open to suggestions.
Congratulations to all of our shortlisted teams and we look forward to welcoming them to the Liberty Stadium on Friday evening.