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South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Council leader makes jibe at Welsh regional rugby problems
Paul Griffiths, the deputy leader of Monmouthshire County Council, made the quip in comparison to the latest fall out over Welsh rugby's professional regions. He told the council's cabinet: 'I reflect how much we can learn from working successfully from regionalisation of Welsh rugby.' Welsh professional rugby has been rocked by the Welsh Rugby Union stating this weekend it no longer intends funding Wales four professional regions equally. The Chepstow Labour councillor made the remark after the cabinet agreed for Monmouthshire's sports development unit to enter the Active Gwent sport partnership hosted by Newport City Council. It is intended to provide 'strategic focus and oversight' to sports development in the region. Gwent is the last area of Wales to agree to the regional partnership approach which is a national directive from government funded body Sport Wales as part of its national Vision for Sport in Wales. Regionalisation in Welsh rugby, that was introduced in 2003, saw the establishment of five professional teams mostly replacing the traditional club structure as the top level of the game in Wales. The five professional sides reduced to four a year later. In the latest controversy involving the four regions Newport-based Dragons has agreed to a new funding agreement with the WRU, which has also taken control of Cardiff after its previous owners were unable to meet financial commitments, while Ospreys and Llanelli Scarlets have refused to sign the new deal with the governing body. Cllr Griffiths is originally from Swansea, which saw its traditional club replaced at the top table by Ospreys, while he was also previously a councillor in Rhondda Cynon Taf where many fans have been bitter over the 2004 closure of the Celtic Warriors side, that played some games in Pontypridd. Under the new sport partnership agreement for sports development Newport council will take a lead role in liaising with Sport Wales and the new partnerships are required to include representation from a wide array of stakeholders alongside local authority members. The council's five sports development officers will still be able to act independently but will also work across Gwent on shared regional objectives and to share resources, best practice and learning. The annual budget for sport development staffing in Monmouthshire is currently £224,375, with 63 per cent of the funding from the Sport Wales partnership annual agreement. The projected funding allocation for Gwent is estimated at £2,269,565 while in the 2024/25 financial year Monmouthshire received an annual allocation of £141,894 from Sport Wales and the council has, on average, secured an extra £58,000 a year to deliver specific sport intervention projects. Funding in future will have to align with the regional partnership's vision and when established it will receive the full allocation with funding distributed to the regional partnerships across Wales from the third year. Monmouthshire cabinet member Cllr Sara Burch asked how the council could be assured the 'minimum will be spent on administration and the maximum on delivery' which Cllr Angela Sandles, who is responsible for communities, said would be monitored. Active Gwent will select a strategic and supervisory board of the five local authority partners, five independent members and an independent chair with Monmouthshire represented by a council officer.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
IRFU ready to mirror Wales cuts: danger for Connacht, Ulster and Women's budgets
The URC got to the quarter-final stages without anyone in any of the participating nations going bust or being defunded but don't hold your there is a developing civil war coming in Wales - that looks to be heading to court this week - as the WRU looks to save money and downsize their professional club is quite sure what this would actually look like as all parties are keeping their cards close to the chest and the posturing from all sides is even more obvious option, scrapping the underperforming Dragons on a results based analysis, doesn't seem to be on the which should be a relief to Connacht supporters as any attempt to downgrade the Newport-based side might tempt some IRFU the Welsh battlefield is centering more on what to do with Ospreys who are leaving their free Liberty/ Stadium tenancy and hoping to move back to historic St Helens which is Swansea RFC's Helens is Swansea Council owned and they are looking for £1m rent (ostensibly to cover refurbishment) over the next five seasons. Free to £200k? That's a cost of five decent there are those in the Principality who are pushing to turn Cardiff into a 'superclub' and hoping their foreign backers, Y11, will subsume near neighbours Ospreys (12 miles down the road in Swansea).There are healthy transport links between the two cities and Cardiff would envisage using the 12,125 capacity Arms Park and moving bigger games next door to The Principality Connacht beware; if the URC is reduced to 13 teams, no one is sure whether it will look to load-up to 14 or drop down to URC might consider an application from South Africa's Cheetahs who played in the European Challenge Cup this season; SA Rugby's TV deal with Supersport - money not shared with the other eight European Clubs - would fund URC might consider an invitation to Georgia's Black Lions, but it would depend on Georgia gaining World Rugby's financial support, similar to their backing of the Italian clubs when they first emerged. Black Lions also played in the Challenge Cup this and with regard to Wales and Ireland saving money, it should be noted Wales defunded their Mens Sevens programme in 2022 citing financial pressure and lack of public here in Ireland, Leinster will be the only club earning money from now to the end of the season as the URC doesn't pay prize money per se. The Blues money will come from ticket sales due them for a home quarter-final and potential home will be awarded travel costs by URC for their away quarter-final with Ulster and Connacht players will be expected to report for training every day until the end of the month as neither club made the knockout which, in turn, means they won't have Champions Cup rugby next might have happened out west before but it is a first for Ulster since the competition began and the financial hit won't help their current problems don't go away it seems, they just get further pushed on down the road. Specifically, all is rosy with the Reds in that they have achieved a target, qualified for Champions Cup (tick!), and finished sixth (so-so but enough!).But this ignores being 10-14 down at half-time in Thomond Park in the last game of the season - had they lost they would have missed out on those knockouts and 2025/26 Champions Cup it stands, they move on to play Sharks on Saturday week in the URC quarters where, if they can manufacture a win, they get to meet the winners of club remains €8m in debt, there is a new coach incoming, that's Clayton McMillan who has impressed at Chiefs since taking over in 2021, taking them to the 2021 and 2022 Super Rugby play-offs and then the 2023 and 2025 Super Rugby what strikes as odd is with a new coach arriving they want to jettison Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Stephen Archer and Dave Kilcoyne in one fell the five signings revealed to date, Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Dan Kelly and Andrew Smith were born outside Munster which, when added to players such as Mike Haley, Alex Nankivell, Tom Farrell, Sean O'Brien, Thakir Abrahams, Oli Jager, Jeremy Loughman, Tadhg Beirne, demonstrates just how much the home grown product in short the time has come to rethink at least one of the leaving trio, put at least one one short term contract until Christmas?What would be more nightmarish than seeing Conor Murray popping up elsewhere and, indeed, rumour has it he is not hanging up his boots but will be in France next year.A quick word about Pairc ui Chaoimh too. Yes, it is a beautiful stadium too; the 45,300 capacity is almost 20,000 larger than Thomond Park the rental costs far outweigh the benefits of playing at Thomond Park. The Cork venue makes for a nice day out but it is not a financial panacea. €8m in debt, Munster need to worry about further IRFU cutbacks. And make sure of European Champions Cup qualification again next season. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newbridge woodland plot to be sold at auction this month
The land, next to the B4472 High Street, is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions. Angie Davey from the auctioneers said: "This parcel of land runs alongside and adjacent to the B4472, with terraced houses right across the road opposite. "The land has previously been used to graze cattle and horses on tack where the land levels into meadowland running alongside a stream. "Parts are wooded and sloping. "The land could be cleared for grazing." Potential buyers can view the land unaccompanied, but are advised to be careful when accessing the property. For more information, visit Parking is available via a layby opposite and past the top end of the land. The plot can be accessed via steps at one end and at the other end by the green substation where there are posts for a five-bar gate. The land is to be sold with vacant possession and has a guide price of £2,750-plus. It will be auctioned together with over 80 other lots, with the auction starting at noon on Tuesday, May 20, and ending from 5pm on Thursday, May 22.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Woodland plot of 1.2 acres with stream in Gwent goes up for auction
A 1.2-acre woodland plot in Newbridge, Gwent, is up for grabs at auction. The land, next to the B4472 High Street, is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions. Angie Davey from the auctioneers said: "This parcel of land runs alongside and adjacent to the B4472, with terraced houses right across the road opposite. "The land has previously been used to graze cattle and horses on tack where the land levels into meadowland running alongside a stream. "Parts are wooded and sloping. "The land could be cleared for grazing." Potential buyers can view the land unaccompanied, but are advised to be careful when accessing the property. For more information, visit Parking is available via a layby opposite and past the top end of the land. The plot can be accessed via steps at one end and at the other end by the green substation where there are posts for a five-bar gate. The land is to be sold with vacant possession and has a guide price of £2,750-plus. It will be auctioned together with over 80 other lots, with the auction starting at noon on Tuesday, May 20, and ending from 5pm on Thursday, May 22.
South Wales Argus
14-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Pioneering Newport charity celebrating 40th anniversary
The Gwent Cardiac Rehab Trust Fund - which is based at St Woolos Hospital in Newport - has been providing help and support to people suffering with heart problems in Gwent for many years. The charity was established in 1985 by Ron and Gaynor Colbourne and helped fund Wales' very first cardiac rehabilitation programme, leading the way in supporting those dealing with heart-related issues. Jill Evans, an integral part of the charity from the beginning, passionately recounted the origins of this venture. She said: "40 years ago, I was determined to bring cardiac rehab to Wales having witnessed it first hand at St. Georges Hospital in London. "All I needed now was some dedicated fundraising expertise, and in came Ron and Gaynor." Ron and Gaynor's tireless dedication and fundraising skills have left an indelible mark on the organisation. Co-founder Gaynor Colbourne said: "I was clerk on our coronary care unit when Jill approached me and I was totally sold on the idea. "Ron and I had fundraising experience so we were more than willing to get stuck in. "I'm enormously proud that the fundraising efforts Ron and I started all those years ago are continuing to this day." Adding to the spirit of collective effort, Jill Evans said: "The rehab programme and trust will always be very much a family affair, with great support from patients' husbands, wives, partners, and children. "They are alongside us every step of the way, which means the trust and rehab programme continues to go from strength to strength." Carrying forward this legacy, the charity's current chair, Brian Begg, highlighted Gwent Cardiac's current efforts after being at the forefront of the rehabilitation field for four decades. He said: "Cardiac rehab is a vital part of the recovery process for both patients and family." The charity supports a wide range of initiatives including community grants, support for trainer qualifications, provision of medical equipment, and research contributions. The group has also been giving grants to local community groups in the Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, and Monmouthshire areas to get them back up and running after COVID national lockdowns. Grants have also been given to local instructors for them to attain specific exercise qualifications, enabling them to work with cardiac patients. Wireless heart monitors have also been provided to help individuals exercise freely while their cardiac function is monitored. This allows more vulnerable inhabitants to improve their fitness in a controlled and safe environment as any cardiac irregularities can be immediately picked up on and addressed. The team has also provided groups with exercise equipment ranging from resistance bands and weights, to exercise bikes and rowing machines. They have sponsored scientific research into the best types of exercise for cardiac rehabilitation, through the sponsorship of a Newport-based PhD student, which was featured in the New Scientist magazine. They have also paid for the specialised training and conference attendances for specialist cardiac nurses. Mr Begg expressed his willingness to expand on this "great story of how the determination of a handful of NHS professionals led to Newport and Gwent being a real pioneer across Wales and the UK", urging people to reach out to him for further details. The charity supports the following hospitals across Gwent: Newport St Woolos, Pontypool County Hospital, Ystrad Mynach Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, and Abergavenny Nevill Hall. For more information, please visit the charity's website.
