Aberavon Quins RFC - Recent History

Recent History

At the turn of the Millennium, in an attempt to modernise the governing body of Welsh rugby union, and bring Wales fully into the professional era, it was decided to restructure the Welsh leagues and source out new sponsorship revenue for them. Teams would be allocated a division depending on their recent season’s order of merit and where they are on the map.

In the season 2001/02 the Quins' were placed in Lloyd’s TSB Division Two West, along with local rivals Corus (Port Talbot) RFC, however the two teams fortunes could not have been more differing. The Quins; with a great history and heritage were struggling to adapt to the professional era, where players were now expecting to be financially rewarded for their efforts on the field of play. Even though clubs were still capped at how much they could pay their players, many of the lower league clubs suffered as a result of this ruling.

The Quins were no exception losing many players to higher paying clubs such as BP Landarcy, Cwmavon RFC and Corus. The Quins struggled in their inaugural season in the new WRU league format, fielding largely patch-up sides made together of local players from neighbouring teams and Quins' stalwarts. Aberavon Naval RFC loaned the Quins several of their first team players, and due to this are nicknamed the (unofficial) Quins second team.

After an arduous couple of seasons in division 2 west the Quins faced relegation before their fate was sealed with a points deduction for fielding ineligible players. The Quins were demoted to ASDA Division 3 South West.

It was during these hard years that a stark investment in youth rugby took place within the club.

The first team though, coached at the time by John Breeze were wise not to rush any youngsters and they were blooded into senior first team action gradually. Youth team coach at the time (and former first team prop) Andrew Dacy decided that the team needed one more season together to fully realise their potential and therefore created the Quins' first ever U21 side; which recorded a 32-15 victory against the British Army U21 in January 2006. Dacy later went on to replace John Breeze as first team coach and continue the work he had started. The Quins finished the 2006/07 season in 4th.

The 2007/08 season saw Quins' former captain and silver ball winner David ‘Gus’ McGrath return to the club as coach, teaming up with backs coach John Rees. Enjoying a cup run and finishing the season second in the league before narrowly losing out in a promotion play-off to Gilfach Goch RFC. Now seasoned first team players and with a year behind them under the leadership of McGrath, Rees and captain Richie Wanklyn; their time had come!

The 2008/09 season culminated as being the most trophy laden the club has ever enjoyed with the first team being crowned champions of division 3 South West and the development side winning the Neath/Port Talbot District Cup. Then on Saturday the 23 May 2009 (after a 28 year gap), the Quins regained the Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy, with a 17-3 victory over Llantwit Fardre RFC at the Dairy field in Llanharan. Subsequently what followed was the presidents cup and promotion back to SWALEC Division 2 West.