Gogs don't care about rugby!

Wednesday 7 March 2012

"They don't care about rugby in North Wales."

If there's one comment that really annoys me, that's the one. Despite now residing in Dudley, I still consider myself a fully fledged Gog (North Walian for those who don't know) having been born and bred on Anglesey. All my life I have been raised a rugby supporter and can safely say that the people of North Wales do care about rugby.

It is true that there is a lack of top class rugby north of the South Wales valleys. The reasons for this are historic and are deep rooted in Welsh society. Yet when rugby has been brought up North the public have leapt at the chance of attending games. I remember going to Wrexham to watch Wales A games with crowds of over 10,000 turning up, the same is true when the full Welsh side played Romania 15 year ago. Only 2 weeks ago a sellout crowd of 6,500 watched the Welsh under 20s side at the recently redeveloped Parc Eirias. For years the North Wales rugby public have pleaded for regular rugby, now it seems as though there pleas are being listened to.

Despite Bangor being one of the founding members of the WRU, there hasn't been a top club side on North Wales for many a year. This may be about to change as RGC1404 are set to join the Welsh league system as of next season. For those who don't know RGC1404 is the fledging region that covers North Wales. RGC being an acronym for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Rugby) and 1404 being the year that Owain Glyndwr became Prince of Wales. As far as names go it is out there with one of the worst in sporting history, yet the side promises to revitalize rugby in North Wales.

Originally formed in 2007, the side drew together the best players from across the region to complete in the Welsh counties cup. Over the following seasons their fixtures largely centred around friendlies against academy sides as they were unable to join the league structure in Wales. 2009 saw the introduction of the North Wales Academy as well as an ambitious link up with the Canadian rugby union. Despite this, financial troubles hit and the side went into liquidation. Fortunately, the WRU stepped in and absorbed the region into the national academy in order to continue the good work to date.

Next season RGC 1404 will enter Division 1 East of the Welsh league system. It is the first time in their short history that they will face regular competition and is an important step in the dream to bring professional rugby to North Wales. Ex-Wales international Chris Horsman has been appointed as coach and players have been identified to be contracted to the side. It seems that the WRU is taking RGC seriously at last; this is highlighted by the fact that RGC 1404 will face the Georgian national side next month in a friendly game.

RGC 1404 has the potential to inspire the North Wales public. I for one will support the new region and sincerely hope they can become a key tool in the development of players from the region. Whether or not this will happen needs the support of the public and funding to continue to see the project through.