Trinant RFC have pulled out of the Welsh leagues after more than 100 years due to a lack of players, with the club insisting the Welsh Rugby Union must restructure the community game.
Decision made with 'deep regret'
The Division 5 East club says the decision was made with "deep regret" following ongoing difficulties in attracting players, but is hoping to return in the future. Its priority, the club says, is to rebuild a team and organisation that is "stronger and more sustainable".
Trinant is now appealing to former players, recent players, members and associates to reconnect with the club and play a part in its future. The club warned that without greater involvement both on and off the pitch, bringing rugby back to Trinant will be a much tougher task.
Club statement and tribute
It also paid tribute to those who have continued to support the club through its recent struggles. "This has not been an easy decision," read a statement from Trinant RFC. "Due to ongoing challenges both on and off the field, we feel this is the most responsible step for the club at this time.
"We are absolutely gutted that over 100 years of history — built by our fathers, grandfathers and forefathers — has come to an end for now. Rugby has been at the heart of Trinant for so long and its absence is going to leave a massive hole in our community.
Call for restructuring
"The committee remain fully committed to the future of the club. We will use this time to reflect, regroup, and work on how we can restart rugby next year. Our priority is to rebuild and come back stronger and more sustainable."
The club insists a fundamental overhaul of the way the community game is managed is needed if small clubs like Trinant are to survive. "As part of that, we believe a total restructuring of the community game and its management is needed for genuine grassroots clubs like ours to continue functioning," continued the statement. "As a small group of old-school rugby volunteers, the increasing demands and bureaucracy from The Welsh Rugby Union have only made an already difficult situation harder."
To assist with reintroducing rugby in Trinant, the club is appealing to all past players, recent players, members and associates to reconnect. Without a bigger input both on and off the field, the task of bringing rugby back to Trinant will be much more difficult. "We would like to thank every player, coach, volunteer, and supporter who has stuck with us through thick and thin, especially over the last few tough seasons. Your commitment has meant everything. We hope to see everyone back together in the not too distant future to bring rugby back to Trinant and put our little village back on the map again where it belongs and deserves to be."
