Heavy rain harming grassroots sport - rugby club

A rugby club that has played just two games on its first team pitch in two seasons says the wet Welsh weather is taking its toll on grassroots sports.

Recent bad weather has left pitches across Cardiff under water and players struggling to get minutes on the field.

Rumney RFC has five pitches at Riverside Park but said that most of them are unusable.

Cardiff council said additional drainage measures were due to be installed to counter the problem.

But Rumney team manager Kelvin Hurley has been left facing a fixture headache.

He said the situation had got worse since building work started on a BMX track next to their site.

"We're in a position where we've got 300 kids and three senior sides at the club, and we can't play any home games," he said.

"As a result there are no away sides coming down here and utilising the club, which means we're losing revenue."

There are concerns too that the club will lose players - especially in the youth and mini section - because they cannot play games regularly.

And that is at a time when the number of youngsters who want to play for the club that helped produce former Wales international Jamie Roberts and England's Manu Tuilagi is high.

"I would say we're probably hitting the 300 mark with players at the moment," said mini and juniors chairman, Jack Hedges.

"We're really successful and we're getting great numbers - my only concern is, while we're without the facilities, how long are those numbers going to stay?"

Cardiff University's 3G sports fields are next door to Rumney RFC's pitches and the club are currently using those facilities for training sessions, but that comes at a cost

"I think between the various teams and the fact we're now block booking for Sundays, we're going to be hitting almost £10,000 this year," said Mr Hedges.

"That's just not going to be sustainable going forward without some support or a long-term solution."

He added something needed to be done to help the club as soon as possible.

"I think it's quite well documented that Welsh rugby is already struggling," said Mr Hedges.

"I think we buck that trend at Rumney - we're very successful, have a great community here and plenty of children coming through the ranks.

"Our senior team are also doing well, many of whom have come through the ranks from the mini and junior sides.

"My concern is that the club's 50-year history is going to be ruined and I can't bear the thought of that."

Cardiff council said: "During recent periods of heavy rainfall sports pitches like those at Riverside Park can become waterlogged and this issue is becoming increasingly common as our climate changes.

"In light of this, the council is focusing resources on the development of new 4G pitches across the city and community facilities at schools which can be utilised by multiple sports clubs.

"The international standard BMX track in Llanrumney will be first of its kind in the city, alongside which an additional sustainable drainage scheme is also due to be installed to help surface water drain more quickly."