Senior rugby returns this Saturday with the Illts travelling to Tondu for a pre-season friendly. This is followed by a home friendly at Moorland Park against Cwmbran the week after, with the season kicking off at home to Penarth on September 3rd (note this is reversal of the stated fixture which was due to be played at Penarth).
On the field its been a busy summer for the Illts, with head coach Matt Silva moving on to Bridgend, allowing Dai Griffiths to take on the role of head coach, assisted by player coaches Matt Banner and Lee Highgate (who joins from Caerau). From last years squad, Phil Morse and Neil Dallimore have retired and Campbell McMillan, James Sheridan and Ben McHardy have returned home (via various stop offs). On the incoming side there are several new faces, including second row Gavin Burns (Caerau), back rowers Joe Poole (Fairwater) and Scott Britton (Beddau), centres Ryan Healy, Charles Johnson (both Caerau) and Mike Hurley (Glamorgan Wanderers). Half backs Codey Rees (Glamorgan Wanderers) and Sam Perrett (St Julians) have also returned to the Illts.
Its also been very busy off the field, with the second phase of work at the library largely complete, with new windows, roof and boiler installed with the help of funding from the Welsh Assembly and the WRU. The library is a great community asset for the people of Splott which continues to imbed the club into the heart of the community. It was great to see the first ever Splott Community fete held a few weeks ago at Moorland Park, with over £2,500 raised for charity.
The tag mini rugby tournament at the fete was a great success and the mini section continues to grow, if you know any parents with children aged 4-9 (reception up to year 4 in the school year about to start) then please ask them to contact Andrew Maunder on 07977 763903 or bring the kids along to Moorland Park at 10.30 on Sunday mornings. Its completely free and no previous experience is required.
Finally, new kit has been ordered including hoodies, t-shirts, polo shirts and ties – if any non players wish to purchase any kit then please let either John Manders, Andrew Maunder of Phil Morse know and we can arrange