Swansea Uplands RFC
Encyclopedia
Swansea Uplands RFC is a rugby union
club based in Upper Killay, Swansea
, south Wales
.
Swansea Uplands RFC was founded at the Uplands Hotel, Swansea in 1919 by players of the pre-World War I
Swansea Grammar School team on their return to Swansea. The team took their name from this first meeting place.
and Streatham
and the following season, Parkhurst
and Saracens
. Tours continued in future years against opposition such as Upper Clapton and Hereford.
In 1922–23, the club found itself with sufficient players to establish an “A” (2nd) XV. The same season, after having played matches at Singleton Park
, the recreation ground and St. Helens
, the club obtained the lease on a pitch near The Bible College, Derwen Fawr, where they continued to play until the outbreak of World War II
, although some matches were still played at St. Helens. In 1928, proposed by Pontardawe RFC
and seconded by Pontarddulais RFC
, the club applied for membership of the Welsh Rugby Union
and at a meeting of the W.R.U. on 13 September 1928 this was granted.
The club played its final pre war fixture on tour against Old Whitgiftians in Croydon
on 10 April 1939 and following a meeting held on 18 April 1939, the club enlisted en-bloc forming a “sportsman’s platoon” in 5th Battalion The Welch Regiment
.
on 23 September with the “A” XV playing the same opponents two days later. After resuming playing at Derwen Fawr, the club sought its own ground and in 1952 purchased the field at Upper Killay. On 24 April 1956, the club played and defeated an International XV selected by Clem Thomas at St. Helens and raised the then considerable sum of £400 for charity. The clubhouse was built by the members and following a special match on 23 April 1958 to mark the occasion, the clubhouse was formally opened by Mr. Enoch H. Rees, President of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The “B” (or third) XV, first played on 15 November 1958. The clubhouse was extended to create the long bar and additional changing rooms and a celebration match was played against a Public Schools XV on 30 April 1962. The following September, a fourth XV, the Surfs was established. The extra ground needed for the creation of a second pitch was purchased in early 1963 and for the 1963–64 season, the “B” XV was renamed “The Unicorns”. In 1969 the club marked its 50th anniversary with a match on 28 April between a club XV and an International XV and a celebration dinner with Brigadier Glyn Hughes
, the president of The Barbarians
as chief guest.
In 1970, the club took the decision to play league rugby and was accepted into the West Wales Rugby Union. The first competitive match was in the West Wales Cup with a 3–0 victory at Penygroes on 13 February 1971 and the first league match was played the following season on 18 September 1971 at Burry Port. The commitment to the league however spelt the end of the club’s traditional fixture list, which had covered an area from Newport
to Aberystwyth
. That year, the club established its first junior teams, becoming a founder member of the Swansea and District Boys Rugby Union.
A captains board was unveiled in 1977 when a team of ex 1st XV captains played a team of ex 2nd and 3rd XV captains. The club needed more space and in 1982, a further extension was built increasing the bar and changing facilities and this was marked by a match on Sunday 26 September against a Llanelli XV led by Derek Quinnell, containing three British Lions
in addition to numerous players with international honours. In January 1986, the club became the first club in west Wales with a women’s XV when the St. Thomas Ladies XV began playing at Upper Killay and changed their name to Swansea Uplands.
The club broke new ground when in September 1990 it hosted a "Romanian under 21" XV, which was the first side to leave Romania
after the revolution. This team was found to contain 9 full internationals with all members of the squad being at least A internationals. In 1993, the club installed new floodlights to light both pitches and these were movable to enable cricket
to be played in the summer.
Although the club had previously run an occasional veterans XV, in 1992, it became the home of Swansea Veterans RFC, when former Swansea RFC captain Bryn Evans founded that club, basing it at Swansea Uplands. Swansea Veterans is composed of former players from clubs in the Swansea area.
A further enhancement of facilities took place in 1995, when new changing rooms, showers, first aid and weight training facilities were added with the whole club having a new roof. The most recent addition to the club came in 2003, when Swansea Gladiators, the special needs XV based themselves at the club.
During its history, the club has earned a deserved reputation for playing host to teams from countries as varied as Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Holland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. The club has also toured many of these countries together with others such as Belgium, Luxembourg and Portugal.
The club also has a cricket XI who play midweek evening fixtures and organise a popular annual six a side tournament, using a newly laid artificial wicket. The club’s facilities are also used in the summer by Sketty Church Cricket Club who play Saturday cricket in the central league as well as midweek cricket.
The club currently play in Division 5 West
of the WRU national leagues and is also home to a Junior Section with teams from under 8's upwards and is also the home of Swansea Veterans, youth and of the special needs team Swansea Gladiators.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club based in Upper Killay, Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, south Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Swansea Uplands RFC was founded at the Uplands Hotel, Swansea in 1919 by players of the pre-World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Swansea Grammar School team on their return to Swansea. The team took their name from this first meeting place.
Early history
The first tour was undertaken in 1921 to London with victories over London WaspsLondon Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
and Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
and the following season, Parkhurst
Parkhurst
-People:*Carolyn Parkhurst*Charles Henry Parkhurst, , clergyman and social reformer in New York City*Charles Percy Parkhurst , American museum curator who recovered works stolen by Nazis*Charley Parkhurst*Frederic Hale Parkhurst...
and Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
. Tours continued in future years against opposition such as Upper Clapton and Hereford.
In 1922–23, the club found itself with sufficient players to establish an “A” (2nd) XV. The same season, after having played matches at Singleton Park
Singleton Park
Singleton Park is the largest urban park in the city of Swansea and is located in Sketty. The park has hosted many entertainment and cultural events such as Party in the Park and Proms in the Park which were regular events by local stations The Wave & Swansea Sound and other music events held by...
, the recreation ground and St. Helens
St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground
St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground is a spectator venue in Swansea, Wales. It is used for both rugby and cricket.It is owned and operated by the City and County of Swansea council and is also used to host the local annual Guy Fawkes night fireworks display.-History:Since the ground opened in...
, the club obtained the lease on a pitch near The Bible College, Derwen Fawr, where they continued to play until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, although some matches were still played at St. Helens. In 1928, proposed by Pontardawe RFC
Pontardawe RFC
Pontardawe Rugby Football club is a rugby union club based in Pontardawe, a small town in the valley of the River Tawe in Wales.The club has a hugely successful junior section which provides age group rugby with fully qualified coaches from 7 through to 16 and for the season 2011 - 2012, will for...
and seconded by Pontarddulais RFC
Pontarddulais RFC
Pontarddulais Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the town of Pontarddulais in Wales, UK. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Ospreys....
, the club applied for membership of the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
and at a meeting of the W.R.U. on 13 September 1928 this was granted.
The club played its final pre war fixture on tour against Old Whitgiftians in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
on 10 April 1939 and following a meeting held on 18 April 1939, the club enlisted en-bloc forming a “sportsman’s platoon” in 5th Battalion The Welch Regiment
Welch Regiment
The Welch Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1969.-History:It was formed as the Welsh Regiment during the Childers Reforms of 1881, by the amalgamation of the 41st Regiment of Foot and the 69th Regiment of Foot...
.
Post 1945
The club was reformed following World War II at a meeting held at St. Helens Cricket Pavilion, Swansea on Monday 10 May 1948 and the initial 1st XV fixture was played at MumblesMumbles
Mumbles or The Mumbles is an area and community in Swansea, Wales which takes its name from the adjacent headland stretching into Swansea Bay...
on 23 September with the “A” XV playing the same opponents two days later. After resuming playing at Derwen Fawr, the club sought its own ground and in 1952 purchased the field at Upper Killay. On 24 April 1956, the club played and defeated an International XV selected by Clem Thomas at St. Helens and raised the then considerable sum of £400 for charity. The clubhouse was built by the members and following a special match on 23 April 1958 to mark the occasion, the clubhouse was formally opened by Mr. Enoch H. Rees, President of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The “B” (or third) XV, first played on 15 November 1958. The clubhouse was extended to create the long bar and additional changing rooms and a celebration match was played against a Public Schools XV on 30 April 1962. The following September, a fourth XV, the Surfs was established. The extra ground needed for the creation of a second pitch was purchased in early 1963 and for the 1963–64 season, the “B” XV was renamed “The Unicorns”. In 1969 the club marked its 50th anniversary with a match on 28 April between a club XV and an International XV and a celebration dinner with Brigadier Glyn Hughes
Hugh Llewellyn Glyn Hughes
Brigadier Hugh Llewellyn Glyn Hughes CBE, DSO & Two Bars, MC, MRCS was a British military officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps and later medical administrator, educationalist and sports administrator...
, the president of The Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
as chief guest.
In 1970, the club took the decision to play league rugby and was accepted into the West Wales Rugby Union. The first competitive match was in the West Wales Cup with a 3–0 victory at Penygroes on 13 February 1971 and the first league match was played the following season on 18 September 1971 at Burry Port. The commitment to the league however spelt the end of the club’s traditional fixture list, which had covered an area from Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
to Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
. That year, the club established its first junior teams, becoming a founder member of the Swansea and District Boys Rugby Union.
A captains board was unveiled in 1977 when a team of ex 1st XV captains played a team of ex 2nd and 3rd XV captains. The club needed more space and in 1982, a further extension was built increasing the bar and changing facilities and this was marked by a match on Sunday 26 September against a Llanelli XV led by Derek Quinnell, containing three British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
in addition to numerous players with international honours. In January 1986, the club became the first club in west Wales with a women’s XV when the St. Thomas Ladies XV began playing at Upper Killay and changed their name to Swansea Uplands.
The club broke new ground when in September 1990 it hosted a "Romanian under 21" XV, which was the first side to leave Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
after the revolution. This team was found to contain 9 full internationals with all members of the squad being at least A internationals. In 1993, the club installed new floodlights to light both pitches and these were movable to enable cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
to be played in the summer.
Although the club had previously run an occasional veterans XV, in 1992, it became the home of Swansea Veterans RFC, when former Swansea RFC captain Bryn Evans founded that club, basing it at Swansea Uplands. Swansea Veterans is composed of former players from clubs in the Swansea area.
A further enhancement of facilities took place in 1995, when new changing rooms, showers, first aid and weight training facilities were added with the whole club having a new roof. The most recent addition to the club came in 2003, when Swansea Gladiators, the special needs XV based themselves at the club.
During its history, the club has earned a deserved reputation for playing host to teams from countries as varied as Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Holland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. The club has also toured many of these countries together with others such as Belgium, Luxembourg and Portugal.
The club also has a cricket XI who play midweek evening fixtures and organise a popular annual six a side tournament, using a newly laid artificial wicket. The club’s facilities are also used in the summer by Sketty Church Cricket Club who play Saturday cricket in the central league as well as midweek cricket.
The club currently play in Division 5 West
WRU Division Five West
The Welsh Rugby Union Division Five West is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented for the 1995/96 season.- Competition:There are 11 clubs in the WRU Division Five West...
of the WRU national leagues and is also home to a Junior Section with teams from under 8's upwards and is also the home of Swansea Veterans, youth and of the special needs team Swansea Gladiators.