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*****CLUB NEWS*****
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Athletic Youth reach Welsh cup quarter finals!
Congratulations to Athletic Youth who meet Kenfig Hill in the quarter final of the Welsh Youth cup, away on Saturday 3rd. March. The lads reached the later stages after an away victory against Haverfordwest Youth. Good luck to the Youth in their quest for cup glory.
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Senior duo in National Deaf XV squad
Congratulations to back rowers Gareth Bennett & Ian Rowberry on their squad selection for the Wales Deaf XV. Club 1st. XV player Gareth, has represented the Deaf XV on a number of occasions and he is now joined by Druids open side flanker Ian. Good luck to both players for the matches against North Wales (at Maesteg) and England (away) on the 4th. & 26th. of February respectively.
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Athletic juniors progress into Wales U-20's squad
Congratulations to former junior Red & Black's, Jonathan Gardiner & Daniel Thomas who have been selected to the national U-20's squad. Both players progressed to the Scarlets academy and Jonathan is currently plying his trade with Aviva premiership giants Leicester Tigers. Both players are joined by former Athletic 1st.XV centre Rheon James.
Good luck to the three players for selection to the team.
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Ladies - come and join us !
Carmarthen Athletic are setting up a Ladies rugby XV. If you are 18 years and over, and interested in wearing the Red & Black shirt, why not come along for the training sessions which commences on Sunday 15th. January at 1.30 pm and every Sunday thereafter.
Any ladies interested please contact coach Michael King on 07522 398466 or just come along to the club's indoor training facility on Sunday to observe or paticipate.
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World cup mementos donated to the club
Scarlets & former Athletic player Ken Owens has kindly donated a signed Welsh training shirt used during the 2011 RWC,to the club. Ken, who won his first cap as a replacement in the pool match 81-5 demolition of Namibia, also passed on a King Country Rams (NZ) shirt for our collection of memorabilia.
Also, wing wizard Shane Williams has donated a signed pair of boots used in RWC 2011. Shane who will win his 86th and final cap against Australia on 3rd December, is Wales's top try scorer with 56 and is a welcome addition to the club's world famous collection of sporting footwear.
A big thank you to both players for their generosity and we wish Shane well in his forthcoming retirement from international rugby. Diolch yn fawr.
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Listen to the Club 'feature' on 97.1 Radio Carmarthenshire
Athletic press officer Nigel Herbert is to give a brief report on the 1st XV on Friday evenings at 6.20 pm before all remaining Saturday home games ( including the Memorial match on Boxing Day Monday, 26th December ) . The Club is also promoting the remaining home games with professionally prepared advertising slots at regular prime time intervals during the week leading up to each fixture at Athletic Park. Also,in the near future, further adverts will be promoting the clubhouse & facilities to further enhance our profile to a wider audience.
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Athletic Duo against Namibia
Congratulations from the all at the Athletic Club, to Ken Owens On gaining his first cap against Namibia.
Ken, came on at the 6o minute point during the World Cup Pool game to join outside half Rhys Priestland .
Well Done Both!!
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Priestland gets the 10 shirt in World Cup opener
Scarlets & former Athletic player Rhys Preistland has been selected at outside half for Wales in their opening RWC match, against current world champions South Africa.
The club sends their congratulations to Rhys, and we wish him well for the remainder of the tournament.
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Commercial success leads to expansion
Due to the success of the fully subscribed advertising hoardings in place at Athletic Park, a new perimeter fence is currently under construction in order to accommodate more advertising space for our business partners. The fence will run the full length of the pitch on the eastern side of the ground which is opposite the clubhouse, stand & main spectator terrace. Some spaces have already been reserved by advertisers and if you are interested in reserving a space or you know a business that may be interested in the new venture, please contact Wynne Jones on 01267 221041 or cantwr@sky.com for further details.
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Pre - season matches now underway
Pre - season is well underway and the !st. XV have played two matches to date. A solid performance against premiership Llandovery provided coaches Rob Walters & Louie Tonkin with plenty of options for the up-coming league programme. The match score was 28 - 15 to the visitors who crossed for four converted tries, with the Red & Blacks replying with three unconverted tries. A highly competitive performance against quality opposition will stand the squad in good stead. The next warm up match proved a little easier with a 53 points to nil victory away to division 3 outfit Penclawdd RFC.
The final scheduled warm up match versus Tonmawr, was regrettably cancelled due to the high number of injuries in the 1st XV squad. The first SWALEC league division 1 (West) match sees the club travel to Llanharan on Saturday 3rd. September to take on the Dairymen.The Druids XV entertain Morriston RFC on the same day in the Carmarthenshire Tyres league, at Athletic Park.
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Athletic duo jet out on their World Cup adventure
Scarlets and former Athletic pair Ken Owens and Rhys Priestland have departed the Welsh team HQ in the Vale of Glamorgan, heading for the land of the Long white cloud. Hooker Ken and outside half/full back Rhys are part of the 30 strong Welsh squad who are due to touch down in New Zealand on Friday. In a tough group, which includes South Africa, Samoa, Fiji and Namibia, Wales will be hoping to progress to the later stages of the Rugby World Cup.
We wish the boys and all the rest of the squad every success in the tournament. Pob lwc a llwyddiant i Gymru !
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