News

We received some fantastic applications for the group and have been absolutely delighted with the response. We have now decided on the 12 members that will form the initial group and look to develop Old Penarthians RFC.

The role of the group is to come up with initiatives and ideas we can then take to the committee to move the club forward in three key areas. These are;

Club and community rugby development
Income generation
Facility improvements

Historically, there have been some fantastic ideas flying around the club that for many reasons haven't been been executed, mainly down to resources. What the group will allow us to do is take ideas, explore, research, prioritise and problem solve them in order to lay out an actual plan for implementation and approval. This will be the major advantage of having 12 motivated and experienced steering group members who are already very successfully doing this in their careers. What the committee need are researched plans with solutions and I think this will put us in a stronger position to execute change.

I would like to briefly introduce the team to you and hope you give them a warm welcome!

Adam Palfrey - Adam has been the driving force of the steering group along with Bryn Llewllyn. His ideas created the group in the first place and he is a constant source of advice. A very decent player in his career, including spells with Cardiff RFC and Wales U21's,

He would acknowledge that his working career has also followed sport, having worked as a sports agent, as the CEO of the Singapore RFU, Head of Commercial at Brisbane Roar FC, Head of Sales Asia for Inter Milan FC and more recently as Head of Commercial for Ospreys Rugby. Adam now runs his own sports agency where he consults to sports organizations on commercial growth strategies.

He loves coaching his son Harris in the Under 9s and occasionally he joins a vets tour trying to make it home alive. He believes Old Pens is a sleeping giant and can through a focused approach become a fantastic community hub for Penarth

Bryn Llewellyn – Bryn was another founding member of the steering group and is a fountain of positivity. He has been working in the construction industry for the past 25 years and has a wealth of experience there.

His passion in life is rugby, after his father and grandfather sparked a lifelong passion for grassroots rugby.  He thrives on projects designed to build our local community and develop friendship groups, having created the Ancient Penarthians touch rugby group which has been so successful, to raising money for the Old Penarthians with local events.

Bryn has twin sons, max and Evan playing at the club in the Under 9’s where he also coaches and is utterly passionate about Old Pen RFC. We are lucky to have him on board.

Todd Kelman - Todd is currently the Managing Director Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team, where he has in recent years transformed them to a title winning side.

A hugely success  ex-professional ice hockey player himself, Todd finished his career and moved into a very successful general manager career.

In 7 seasons as the General Manager of the Belfast Giants, Kelman and the Giants won the Challenge Cup and British Knock Out Cup (both in the 2008/09 season), the Playoff Championship in 2010 and Elite League titles in 2011-12 & 2013-14, before moving to Cardiff Devils.

Todd has two boys playing for Old Pens mini's teams and has offered his services on the group to help us get to the lofty heights we have set out to achieve. We are very excited to be able to call on Todd's experience.

Clare Southard – Clare went to Swansea University to do Environmental Biology in 1992 and settled in Wales ever since.

She has  worked for conservation charities, Local Authority and now Natural Resources Wales and in all those she has worked on raising funds through grant and bids processes, including lottery and
European funds, so those skills will be a huge asset to our team.

Now living in Penarth with 2 teenagers and 2 dogs, she plays  second row for Old Pens ladies and has been a huge, positive influence on the team and club in general. Huge asset to the club.

Anthony Friis –Anthony is a project manager in the construction industry who will be a valuable asset to the group. Anthony is a coach for the U14’s and has a son who plays at the club too. Believes the way forward is to keep smiles on faces and we agree. Look forward utilising to his experience in project management.

Tasos Asprou – Tasos is an architect and Director of 1010 Architects in Penarth. This is one area we feel will be an enormous asset to us and we are glad to have signed him up for the group.

Tasos has a great love for the club, his son plays for us and he is looking forward to helping us move things forward.

Stephen Davis – Stephen is a Cornishmen who’s lived in Wales since Swansea University. He has been involved with Old Penarthians RFC since 2010 via the Mini’s and Juniors.

A Civil Engineer whom is Director and co-owner of PHG Consulting Engineers based in Cardiff employing 20 staff specialising in Civil And Structural Engineering across the UK. PHG Consulting will be listed on the Welsh Government sponsored 2020 Fast Growth 50; 50 fastest growing businesses in Wales 2020.

We are looking forward to how his experience can help the rugby club expand and improve.

Owain Nedin - A long running member and did a few years behind the bar in his youth days. Moved back to Penarth a few years ago after spending 15 years in London.

He has worked in property in London and now in Cardiff for at least 12 years, mainly as a planning consultant (which he still is now - working for a UK wide company - Lichfields).

Believes the club is a great resource for the local community and will bring a wealth of experience in planning consultancy that we will need.

Gareth Williams – Gareth is currently Funding Manager at the National Lottery Community Fund and run a number of different grant programmes and also does a bit of freelance work for BBC Children in Need. He is well versed in what funders are looking for when considering applications for funding and has knowledge and access to networks across the funding landscape such as SportWales that could be utilised if the club were to become more active in its efforts to secure funds through grants.

We know Gareth will be a real asset to the team, particularly work with Clare Southard and welcome him on board!

Tim Naylor – Tim is a barrister but now working in house at the British Horseracing Authority. He is also a director at Football Association Wales and so has legal and sporting management experience that will be an enormous asset to us. He also sit on RFU disciplinary cases and I am currently trying to convince him to ban all England players before they play Wales next season, but so far he has remained unbreakable.

Delighted to have you on board Tim.

Hedydd Lewis – Hedydd runs her own successful construction business in Penarth and is a well known face at the club.

An ex Head of Physical Education, she brings valuable experience to the group in the education and construction field.

Hedydd is a coach for Old pens U10’s and has a son who plays in the team. She has been with Old Pens for many years and we hope she is with us for many more, absolutely delighted to have her on board!

Stephen Fifield – Stephen runs two business in Sully, a restaurant and bar, he has been in the trade for a short 27 years, despite his youthful appearance.

Having an expert in hospitality will be a great step forward for us and we are very happy to get Stephen involved.

He is also a coach for our youth team and has a son who plays for us, a real clubman and is looking forward to the challenge ahead on and off the pitch.