BRIDGEND Ravens’ are now officially a member run club. The Indigo Group Welsh Premiership club held an open meeting in January, where members of Clwb Rygbi Penybont ar Ogwr voted in favour to purchase Bridgend Ravens Rugby Club.

The club is steeped in history, providing talents such as J.P.R Williams, Gareth Thomas and Rhys Webb to Wales and the British & Irish Lions. They already have big ambitions going into a new era with the majority of this season’s squad committed to staying on for next season. The club have had numerous young Ospreys players with them this season, such as Morgan Strong, Brad Roderick and Travis Huntley. They will continue to work with the region as part of the development pathway system.

Now the takeover is complete, the club are looking for more members to step forward and assist with the running of the club. More information regarding roles will be made public in due course.

After the takeover was completed, club Chairman Norman Spain said, “I am delighted that the agreements have been signed and that the destiny of our club now lies in the hands of Bridgend Ravens Club Members. We have been busy behind the scenes putting in place a strong foundation which starts with next season.”

Following this, Clwb Rygbi Penybont ar Ogwr Company Director Hopkin Joseph provided an update, ”At the Open Meeting held in January, Members agreed to proceed with the purchase of Bridgend Ravens Rugby Club Ltd, but I gave an undertaking that two additional Members would join as subscribing members before any legal commitment was made. I am extremely pleased to advise that in early March, John Dalton and Peter Wood agreed to serve in these roles.”

This is an exciting time for the club who will still compete in the top tier of Welsh semi-professional Rugby after the previous season was cancelled. They hope with the new takeover the club will grow and become a very community orientated club. The future is bright for the Ravens faithful.

I’m sure everyone would join me in wishing the Ravens all the very best in this endeavour. Given the current climate and the financial strains being felt by the sport it will be interesting to see if this model will be a template for the sustainable future of semi-professional rugby in Wales.

by Tobias Hunt