As your new Chair, it is both a privilege and a heartfelt honour to send my first Christmas message to you all. This festive season offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the year gone by, while also looking forward with hope and determination to the year ahead.
Our club is more than a place where rugby is played; it is a community, a family, and a living expression of Welsh heritage and pride. The friendships forged here, the resilience shown on the pitch, and the generosity of spirit off it remind us that rugby is not simply a sport, but a way of life that binds us together.
We shall be exhibiting that sense of community in the annual Boxing Day fixture this year versus our nearest neighbours Penarth RFC. No-one amongst us could fail to have been touched by the events that affected the club following the recent fire, and we shall continue to support them in their rebuilding efforts. The post match raffle will provide an opportunity for us to suport the club financially, with the proceeds to be donated to Penarth Athletic Club in a show of solidarity with them. A large turn -out for the game, which has an 11.30am kick-off, would be most welcome,
This past year at the Old Penarthians has been marked by dedication and commitment from so many of you. Players have given their all in training and matches, coaches have guided with wisdom and patience, volunteers have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and supporters have cheered with passion from the touchline. Each contribution, large or small, has strengthened the fabric of our club and ensured that our traditions continue to thrive.
As we celebrate Christmas with our families and friends, let us also celebrate the values that define us: camaraderie, resilience, and inclusivity. May 2026 bring health, happiness, and success to you and your loved ones, and may our club continue to be a place of welcome, pride, and achievement.
Looking ahead, I am committed to working with the committee and all of you to build on our proud heritage, to nurture the next generation of players, and to ensure that our club remains at the heart of the community. Together, we will honour the past, embrace the present, and shape a future worthy of our colours.
Only last Sunday, we saw how our commitment and investment in the Mini & Junior section has borne fruit with the success of each youth team we have produced since its reintroduction some five seasons ago. Whilst the current crop did not win their Cardiff cup final, they embodied the spirit of our young players as they progress through to senior rugby, and did the club proud.
The senior men’s team bears witness to the emerging talent within the club, with many having graduated through the ranks. Whilst the relative lack of experience may be at the root of our current struggles in the league campaign, regular watchers will know it is only a matter of time before the efforts of all involved bear fruit, and I am confident we will enjoy a strong second half of the season.
Our women’s team continues to excel both on and off the field, and they are to be congratulated on some of the top class rugby being produced on a regular basis. They have enjoyed a strong start to their Championship campaign, and they too will be looking to consolidate their league position with a strong 2026.
On behalf of the committee, I extend my deepest gratitude for your loyalty and support. May your Christmas be filled with warmth, joy, and the enduring spirit of rugby.
Jeff Norman
Chairperson, Old Penarthians RFC