Ospreys owners and board members have met with supporters to outline their plans for the upcoming season, following a turbulent campaign that included owners Y11 nearly buying Cardiff and the departure of captain Jac Morgan and vice-captain Dewi Lake.
Renewed optimism despite challenges
There is a sense of renewed optimism at the club, alongside the long-awaited move to a redeveloped St Helen's and some impressive signings by Mark Jones. However, the club are not out of the woods, with the Welsh Rugby Union still intent on cutting a professional team in west Wales by 2028. Earlier this month, the Ospreys acknowledged that it was effectively a fight between themselves and the Scarlets.
The actions of Y11 — who were granted a period of exclusivity to buy Cardiff from the WRU earlier this year, only for the deal to fall through — have tested the trust of Ospreys fans in recent months. In July, chief executive Lance Bradley stepped away from the club.
Constructive meeting with supporters
The owners were present at a meeting with the Ospreys' Supporters Club this week. A spokesperson for Y11 said: "We came away touched by the passion, dedication and commitment of the supporters. It makes Y11 proud to see such loyalty first-hand, and proud to own such a great club. The supporters didn't just raise spirits — they brought well thought-out ideas that sharpened our own thinking. Everyone is part of the same team at the Ospreys, and our staff and supporters are both first class."
Ospreys board member Roger Blyth added: "The Ospreys Supporters' Club is an outstanding organisation. They gave us a great deal of valuable input, particularly on St Helen's, which we will build on as the development moves forward at pace. The meeting was more than constructive — it gave us ideas to feed into our plans, especially around enhancing the matchday experience, drawing on what supporters pick up travelling to away grounds."
Excitement for new era
Richard Lancaster, who is leading St Helen's development and commercial revenue, added that the club were able to share their plans with supporters, with the supporters' club reinforcing their "excitement for the new era".
Sarah Collins-Davies, chair of the supporters' club, said: "We had a constructive pre-season Q&A session, with some clarifying questions raised on wider rugby matters. There was a lot of listening, a range of views, and genuine excitement about the St Helen's development."
Grant Berni, the supporters' club's vice-chair, added: "Make no mistake — this is a club on the rise, and we stand fully behind it. The investment in St Helen's, the calibre of players coming through the door, the stability under Mark Jones' coaching group — this is what real ambition looks like. We've watched this region fight for its place, and we will not stand by while its future is questioned. The Ospreys have earned our loyalty, and they will have our voice, our presence, and our unconditional support — at St Helen's, in the stands, and wherever this fight takes us next."
