News

Bargoed RFC are working hard both on and off the field to get ready for the start of the new season. 

There have been some changes in the Coaching and Management Team after the departure of senior coaches Aled James, Craig Everett and Ian Evans who had done a fantastic job in getting Bargoed RFC into the top two in the National Championship before Lockdown. 

Everyone at Bargoed RFC wish all three the very best on the next stages of their coaching journey. 

Jeremy Rogers continues as Director of Rugby and Brett Wakefield continues as Team Manager. 

Mike Pugsley steps up, and has taken over as Head Coach after a couple of years as an assistant coach with the club. Anthony ‘Vinny’ Lott has been appointed as the Forwards Coach and Rhys Buckley moves into a Player Coach role with primary responsibility for defence.

Matthew Hutcheon continues as the Warriors Head Coach ably supported by Gary Jones, Ian Jenkins and Toby Richards in the Management Team. Hutchy will also have responsibility for the new under 23 squad as we look to transition players from youth into senior rugby. 

The Youth squad have been training hard with great numbers in attendance under Head Coach Steve ‘Spud’ Rose and assistants Paul Davies and Steve Rogers. 

The 1st XV have a warm up match on 31 July away at Glamorgan Wanderers with a midday kick off.  They will then start the National Championship Competition on 7 August with a home game against near neighbours Bedwas. 

The 2nd XV Warriors kick off their Mid District Competition with an away game against Treharris.

The Youth start with a home game against Senghenydd on 7 August. 

Chairman Neil Carter stated ‘The boys are busting to go having started training in May. It’s really encouraging that we have retained the vast majority of our squad and we also have a number of talented young players coming through from the Youth team. 

Numbers in training have been really encouraging and it’s great to see the Youth team also having similarly good numbers as they prepare to start the season. 

We are committed to developing players and coaches at Bargoed RFC and it’s great to see Mike stepping up with us after a number of years at the club. He is supported by two great rugby guys with a huge amount of playing experience in Rhys and Vinny. Rhys is an ex professional player with the Dragons and Vinny is a Bargoed product who moved on to play in the Premiership for Neath, Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys.

Both Hutchy and Spud are also ex 1st XV players, which shows our commitment to developing from within.

We’ve also been encouraged by the development of our younger players who have been working hard and making huge strides and impressing the coaching staff in training. 

We are also absolutely delighted to resign Jonathon Evans who was another Bargoed product before stepping up to play professional rugby for the Dragons and Bath, and winning the Pro 14 with the Scarlets. 

We have also signed two young talented players, who are also local boys in Dylan Jones and Matthew Lewis, and it’s great to see Aaron Elliott returning who is another ex youth player at the club. 

We have also been working hard off the field to ensure that we comply with the Covid regulations and return to training and rugby safely. 

Huw Evans has done a great job as the Club Ops Manager, supported by Rob Vokes & Toby Richards  in a real team effort.

We have also carried out a refurbishment at the club to provide members with a great facility where we can once again enjoy a pint together and each other’s company, but also ensuring that we comply with the Covid regulations. We can’t wait to get back to it!! ‘