South Wales Scorpions RLFC

Final post

2010-02-16T08:32:00.001-08:00

This is the final post on this board as the new website will go live tomorrow. Please keep bookmarking www.scorpionsrl.com for all the latest Scorpions news.

Scorpions link up with Bay Radio and Nation Radio

2010-02-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions Rugby League Club have announced that their official radio stations for the 2010 season will be Nation Radio and Bay Radio, part of the Town and Country Broadcasting Group that own six radio stations throughout South Wales.

Bay Radio, the local radio station for the Swansea Bay region covering the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot county boroughs, has increased its audience by over 20% since last year. Its sister station, Nation Radio, covers the whole of South Wales including Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, and is the fastest growing station in the UK.

The two stations will together be providing what is believed to be the largest amount of advertising ever for a rugby league club in Wales, with broadcasts the week prior to each of the Scorpions’ 11 home fixtures, starting with the prestigious friendly against Wigan Warriors at The Gnoll on Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Scorpions are the newest professional rugby league side in Wales. Following their game against Wigan, they will be playing 20 matches in the Co-operative Championship 1 against some of the UK’s well-known rugby league sides including former Super League clubs Oldham and Workington Town.

In addition to the radio adverts throughout 2010, Bay Radio and Nation Radio will be providing editorial support when needed in form of interview opportunities plus a link to the Scorpions website on home pages on both Bay Radio and Nation Radio sites.

The Bay Radio and Nation Radio logos will appear on the Scorpions’ home and away shirts, they will also receive advertising boards at The Gnoll, while both stations will have adverts in the match programme and links from the Scorpions website.

Scorpions’ owner Phil Davies said: “We are delighted that Bay Radio and Nation Radio are our official radio stations for 2010. We have built a good relationship with the over the last couple of months already. They’ve had us in as studio guests a few times already and next Sunday’s Wigan fixture was announced first on Bay Radio. We know this will be the start of a long and fruitful partnership and we can’t wait for kick-off on Sunday. Thanks to the additional advertising the Bay Radio and Nation Radio will be providing this week, we should get a bumper crowd and an occasion to remember.”

Andy Griffiths, Broadcast Director of Town and Country Ltd said: “We have always been keen to support local sport and we are very excited about this partnership with South Wales Scorpions. I have already been very impressed with the club’s enthusiasm, determination to develop local talent and their already good relationship with the supporters and local community. We are glad that we are able to provide support locally, in the shape of Bay Radio, and nationally with the very popular Nation Radio. We will have a presence at all matches and are very much looking forward to Sunday’s kick-off when Wigan come to town.”

Tickets for South Wales Scorpions v Wigan Warriors priced £4 for concessions and £8 for adults, can be bought by going to www.scorpionsrl.com.

Support the Scorpions lads in the Wales under 18 squad this Sunday

2010-02-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

UNDER 18 INTERNATIONAL
Wales v France
Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Sunday 14th February, Kick-off 2pm

Wales under 18s are looking to extended their fine run of form as they take on France Juniors at Carmarthen Athletic RFC this Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

The match is the first of two junior internationals in South Wales this week with the French staying in the area and taking on Great Britain at Blackwood RFC on Wednesday evening.

Wales go into the match in a confident mood following their outstanding display in Leeds two weeks ago when they outclassed an England side 28-14 excelling in both attack and defence.

They have already named their 17 and have made just three changes from the side that beat England with Harlequins duo Jack Molloy and Gerrard Ellis and Crusaders' Jack Pring being the new additions to the side.

As expected, the majority of the Welsh players have been drawn from the Crusaders while there are two representatives from the new South Wales Scorpions side that kick-off on Sunday 21st February with a home match against Wigan Warriors.

Likewise, France's squad is dominated by players who are on the books of UTC, or Union Trieze Catalans, to give them their full name, the main feeder side to Super League outfit Catalans Dragons. However eight other clubs are represented in France's 21-man travelling squad, including four from Lezignan where they play and train alongside former Crusaders Tony Duggan, Damien Quinn and Aurelien Cologni.

France and Wales last met at under 18 level in September 2008 in the European Cup Final in Prague, a game that Wales won 38-24 to take the European crown.

Sunday's match will be preceded by an under 16 encounter between local side Dinefwr Sharks and St Albans Centurions, which kicks off at 12.30pm, while following the international, St Albans senior side goes up against South Wales Thunder, a representative Welsh amateur side, selected from players from the Welsh Conference Premier.

Wales: Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Dan Godwin (Crusaders), Loren Quick (South Wales Scorpions), Owen Williams (Crusaders), Jack Pring (Crusaders), Dafydd Carter (Crusaders), Dale Evans (Crusaders), Ben Evans (Warrington Wolves), Kyle Blackmore (Crusaders), Adam Davies (Crusaders), Dale Blackmore (Rhyl Coasters), Rhodri Lloyd (Crusaders), Lewis Reece (South Wales Scorpions),
Jack Molloy (Harlequins), Owain Griffiths (Leeds Met), Nathan Hawkins (Crusaders), Gerrard Ellis (Harlequins).

France (from): Lilian Albet (Villeneuve), Noel Andreuccett (RCC Carpentras), Andrew Bigat (FC Lezignan), Theo Bonneriez (UTC), Pierre Louis Bourrel (Limoux), Julian Bousquet (FC Lezignan), Damien Cardace (FC Lezignan) Anthony Deleigne (FC Lezignan), Morgan Escare (UTC), Julien Laffite (UTC), Alexis Falip (ETC), Lenny Foncillas (UTC), Nicolas Houbloup (AS Corbeil Essonnes), Thibault Margalet (UTC), Guillaume Martinez (UTC), Marc Meye (Pia), Joseph Negre (UTC), Eloi Pelissier (UTC), Clement Soubeyras (RCC Carpentras), Remi Vignau (Toulouse).

Sunday 14th February - Carnegie Challenge Cup Second Round - Edinburgh Eagles v Blackwood Bulldogs - Meggetland Sports Complex - Boroughmuir RFC - kick-off 12.30pm

When reading that a match is taking place between Edinburgh and Blackwood, one would immediately think that this is a total mismatch.

After all, it's not often that you read about a team from Scotland's capital city going up against representatives from a town in the Caerphilly County Borough which has a population of around 23,000.

However Edinburgh Eagles and Blackwood Bulldogs are the rugby league champions of Scotland and Wales respectively and the two meet this Sunday in the second round of rugby league's oldest knockout tournament, the Carnegie Challenge Cup, with a possible tie against a professional side awaiting the winners.

In a match that extends the Wales v Scotland weekend to both codes of rugby, whatever the outcome, a piece of history will be made.

If Edinburgh Eagles win, then they will become Scotland's first ever representatives in the Third Round of the Cup while Blackwood Bulldogs hope to become the first non-professional Welsh side in ten years, and the first from the Welsh Rugby League Conference, to reach this stage.

In 2000, Cardiff Cougars, an amalgamation between Cardiff Demons and UWIC university reached the third round and lost to Keighley Cougars. Since then, only Celtic Crusaders have represented Wales in Round Three onwards.

Bulldogs chairman Andrew Smith says that it's been a hard slog to even get to Edinburgh but they are prepared for the challenge.

"When we first heard the draw, we were excited but then reality came in," he said. "How were we going to afford to get up there? It would cost us over £2,000 all told!

"But we've had a few donations thanks to articles in the local papers, Wales Rugby League are also helping us out and we've applied to the RFL to up their donation due to the distance. We're ready to go and we're all looking forward to it.

"We've our strongest team out and they're all available to travel as there's no club rugby union games this weekend. We're going up in two mini-buses early on Saturday morning, hopefully in time to watch the Six Nations game on TV, staying near to the Murrayfield ground and coming back on Sunday following the game. It's a shame that we weren't drawn at home really as it would have been a real Wales v Scotland weekend in the area, but we're prepared to travel and we want to do Wales proud."

Edinburgh's chairman Ashley Carroll, who also stars for their side, is equally looking forward to the encounter.

"This is probably the biggest match in our history," he said. "We got to the second round last year but having a home draw is a massive bonus. Hopefully we can get a decent crowd down to Meggetland, and if our preparation is good and we believe in our ability and talent then I think we can win."

The BBC have confirmed this game as their featured match which kicks off at 12.30pm at Boroughmuir RFC.

Crusaders enter the competition in round four which takes place on the weekend of 17/18 April while the final is at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 28 August.

Supporters Club meeting this Thursday at The Gnoll

2010-02-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

The next meeting of the South Wales Scorpions Supporters Club will take place this Thursday, February 11th at 7.30pm at The Gnoll in Neath.

The meeting will give fans chance to discuss away travel and a host of other issues - and enjoy a relaxing beer in the Gnoll's excellent bar.

The supporters club look forward to welcoming many new members as everyone is welcome.

Members of the Scorpions staff will also be in attendance while season tickets and match tickets for Scorpions v Wigan Warriors will be on sale.

If you are unable to make the meeting, the tickets are available online at www.scorpionsrl.com or by calling 01656 863896.

Represent the Scorpions in Rugby League World magazine

2010-02-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Following Rugby League World's Super League fans preview in the current issue the magazine are wanting to do something similar for the Championship and Championship One clubs for next month's issue.

They are looking to interview three Scorpions fans via a small questionnaire.

If anybody would like to take part, please contact lorraine.marsden@totalrl.com and she'll let you have the questionnaire. They only need a brief sentence or two per answer and a small picture of yourself to go with it.

South Wales Scorpions initial 23-man squad

2010-02-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions have announced a 23-man squad for their 2010 Championship 1 season with the promise of more players to be signed in the near future.

The Scorpions play their first ever match on Sunday 21 February, a friendly against Super League side Wigan Warriors at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 2.30pm).

The squad was selected following a public full contact trial match between “The Greens” and “The Reds” which the Greens won by 5 tries to 2 (no conversions were taken) where over 200 fans turned out to watch with many buying both tickets for the Wigan Warriors game and season tickets on the night.

As expected, almost half of the Scorpions squad are players who have come through the junior and reserve ranks at the Crusaders, but there are a number who are new to the area, the country or rugby league itself.

In rugby league terms, Loz Wildbore could be the club’s highest profile signing. The experienced 26-year old full-back or winger arrives in Wales from York City Knights. Hull-born, he has also had spells at Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Widnes Vikings, Featherstone Rovers, Doncaster and Dewsbury Rams.

Craig Richards returns to The Gnoll after a spell with Stourbridge RFC. The former Neath RFC winger and Wales Sevens RU and Commonwealth Games international played a few games for Celtic Crusaders in 2007 and has also turned out Newport, Llanelli, Coventry and Bridgend in the 15-man game.

The Scorpions have brought in one overseas import in Welsh-Australian Andrew Gay from Toukley Hawks RLFC who play in the Central Coast Rugby League in New South Wales. Welsh qualified, his dad was born in Splott in Cardiff, he was the Hawks player of the year in 2008.

There are three players who have been signed from Welsh Rugby Union clubs - Stephen Ireland, Neil Dallimore and Sam Studley.

Ireland comes to the Scorpions from St Peters in Cardiff, but he has also had lengthy spells at Cardiff RFC and Newport RFC in the Welsh Premiership, while Neil Dallimore and Sam Studley both arrive from Llanharan RUFC. For all three players, it will be their first taste of club rugby league, but Studley has previously turned out for Wales and Great Britain under 18s after attending an open trial in 2006. His first ever competitive game of rugby league was for Great Britain under 18s against Australia! Following these games, he went back to rugby union but has now decided to give the 13-man game another try.

Six players have been signed from local Welsh Conference Premier rugby league clubs – Phil Cushion, Steve Parry, Paul Boden, Alan Pope, Shawn Owens and Christiaan Roets.

Cushion and Parry sign from Nelson-based Valley Cougars, Boden adds the local flavour to the side after arriving from Neath Port Talbot Steelers, Pope has signed from Dinefwr Sharks in West Wales while Owens and Roets previously played for Bridgend Blue Bulls.

The South African born Roets started his rugby league at the now defunct Swansea Valley Miners. He was a surprise selection for the Iestyn Harris’ full Wales side late last year and immediately starred, scoring a hat-trick on his debut against Serbia winning man of the match in the process. He scored a further try against Scotland two weeks later as Wales won the European Cup Final live on Sky Sports.

Cushion played for Valley Cougars last year, but spent three years at the Crusaders before that making 47 first team appearances and winning two full Welsh caps. He had previously played for Swinton Lions.
Roets and Cushion are two of five full Welsh internationals in the Scorpions squad with fellow Dragons Lee Williams, Ashley Bateman and Gil Dudson, all of whom have Crusaders first team experience, also being named.

Loren Quick, Lewis Reece, Joe Burke, Jamie Tibbs, Barrie Phillips, Dalton Grant, Garrick Legge and Harri Greville have all come through the ranks at the Crusaders in their under 18s and Super League reserves with Quick and Reece already becoming the Scorpions first ever international players after turning out for Wales under 18s against England two weeks ago.

Wales won that game 28-14 and they now take on France at Carmarthen Athletic this Sunday at 2pm. They have also both been selected for the Great Britain under 18 squad who take on France on Wednesday 17th February at Blackwood RFC.

The Scorpions will also be able to use British-born Crusaders players who are not in their Super League side in any particular week.

The club’s first social night out was yesterday (Sunday) where in a unique link-up, South Wales Scorpions were official sponsors of the Elite Ice Hockey League match between Cardiff Devils and Edinburgh Capitals. The club hope it will be the first of many such link-ups with the Devils and other local sports sides.

Tickets for South Wales Scorpions v Wigan Warriors or season tickets can be bought by going to www.scorpionsrl.com or calling 01656 863896.

FULL SCORPIONS SQUAD: Ashley Bateman (Crusaders), Paul Boden (Neath Port Talbot Steelers), Joe Burke (Crusaders), Phil Cushion (Valley Cougars – former Crusaders), Neil Dallimore (Llanharan RU), Gil Dudson (Crusaders), Andrew Gay (Toukley Hawks, Australia), Dalton Grant (Crusaders), Harri Greville (Crusaders), Stephen Ireland (St. Peters RU, Cardiff), Garrick Legge (Crusaders), Shaun Owens (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Steve Parry (Valley Cougars), Barrie Phillips (Crusaders), Alan Pope (Dinefwr Sharks), Loren Quick (Crusaders), Lewis Reece (Crusaders), Craig Richards (Stourbridge RU), Christiaan Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Sam Studley (Llanharan RU), Jamie Tibbs (Crusaders), Loz Wildbore (York City Knights), Lee Williams (Crusaders).

3D images of the kit

2010-02-05T00:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some 3D images of our new kit. We currently don't have a release date as yet.

As you've probably seen, due to feedback from the original design of the badge, it has gone through a bit of a re-design and the one you see on these shirts and shorts will be the club badge.

The new website is expected to be launched next week and it will be replaced there too.

Scorpions to face Wigan in a pre-season friendly

2010-02-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Wales’ newest professional rugby league side, South Wales Scorpions will open their season with a prestigious home friendly against Super League side Wigan Warriors.

The match will take place at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 21st February (kick-off 2.30pm).

Wigan will bring a team consisting of first team squad members as well as players from their Super League under 20 squad.

The Warriors visit to Wales comes less than a year after they were famously beaten by the Crusaders at the Brewery Field in the 2009 Super League.

Scorpions’ chairman Phil Davies said: “It is a fantastic coup for the club in bringing Wigan to The Gnoll. They are the most famous name in rugby league and they will test our young side to the limit. It will be the perfect trial match for us before we go into a tough Championship 1 campaign.”

Tickets for the match cost just £8 for adults, £4 for concessions with children aged 11 and under admitted free (a maximum of two under 11s per paying adult). They will go on sale online today at www.scorpionsrl.com and are also available to buy at the Scorpions trial match in Porthcawl this Friday evening.

The Scorpions’ Co-operative Championship 1 season starts on Sunday 28th February with a home game against Workington Town. Kick-off for this game is now at 1pm following a request from the visitors.

The club’s newly designed website is expected to launch next week.

Seven Welsh youngsters in GB squad

2010-02-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

There are seven Welsh youngsters in the Great Britain Community Lions Under-18s squad who will face France Juniors at Blackwood RFC on Wednesday 17th February (kick-off 7.30pm).

Head coach Dave Woods has named five players from the Crusaders and one from the South Wales Scorpions in his 18-man squad. In addition, Lewis Reece, currently a Crusaders under 18s player, is also in the Scorpions train-on squad.

The Welsh players come from all around the south with Quick and Rhys Fenton both from Llanrumney in Cardiff, Owen Williams from Ystradgynlais, Dale Evans from Maerdy, Adam Davies from Newport, Lewis Reece from Rumney in Cardiff and Kyle Blackmore from Blaengwynfi, Port Talbot.

The squad has been named following last week’s game between England and Wales, which Wales won 28-14, and Woods is confident that the international will have been beneficial in the preparation for the Test Match.

“I’m really looking forward to the game against France,” said Woods. “The England and Wales game gave me the chance to have a really good look at the players and I’m sure that the squad we’ve selected to take on France will acquit themselves really well.”

Woods will be assisted in the coaching set up by Kelvin Lockett and Wales under 18 coach Stuart Williams.

The Crusaders youngsters are back in action this Sunday when their team take on Keighley Cougars under 18s at Treherbert RFC (kick-off 1.30pm).

Great Britain Community Lions Under-18s squad to face France Juniors:

1 Shane Ackerly (West Cumbria)
2 Rhys Fenton (Crusaders)
3 Owen Williams (Crusaders)
4 Loren Quick (South Wales Scorpions)
5 Reece Lazenby (West Hull)
6 Callum Phillips (West Cumbria)
7 Dale Evans (Crusaders)
8 Stephen Welton (Gateshead Thunder)
9 Alistair Leak (West Cumbria)
10 Adam Davies (Crusaders)
11 Glenn Riley (West Hull)
12 Matthew Huby (Wath Brow Hornets)
13 Lewis Reece (Crusaders / South Wales Scorpions)
14 David Orwell (Saddleworth Rangers)
15 Kyle Blackmore (Crusaders)
16 Matthew Syron (Queens)
17 Kirk Collins (West Hull)
18 Daniel Bergon (Widnes St Maries)

Great Britain Community Lions Under-18s v France Juniors
Wednesday February 17
Blackwood RFC, Gwent

Public trial match this Friday at Porthcawl (kick-off 7,30pm)

2010-02-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions RLFC are inviting fans to watch their final public trial match this Friday at Porthcawl RFC (kick-off 7.30pm).

This will a proper 80 minute 13-a-side rugby league match and will put all of the Scorpions train-on squad through their paces as they aim to get into the final squad for the big kick-off against former Super League club Workington Town at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 28 February.

Thirty seven players have currently been in training at the Scorpions and 35 of them have been split into two teams for this exciting trial match. Lee Williams and Christiaan Roets are the two absentees. Williams has a knee injury while Roets is currently on holiday.

Scorpions chairman Phil Davies said: “This game is set to be as exciting and dramatic as any rugby league game that you’ll ever see. It’s a proper match but with an added twist as the players know that a position in the Scorpions professional squad is up for grabs. We’re expecting a large crowd to watch. It’s free of charge to get in so don’t miss out.”

Season tickets will also be on sale at the ground on Friday night.

The two teams have been split into “green” and “red”. Following the game, a 27-man squad consisting of 22 first team and five development players, will be selected and announced at www.scorpionsrl.com on Saturday. The selection will also take the players’ training ethics, current fitness levels and commitment to training into account.

The teams (numbers subject to change) will be as follows…

GREEN TEAM: 1. Jamie Tibbs, 2. David James (Blackwood), 3. Lewis Reece, 4. Steve Ireland, 5. Ashley Bateman, 6. Andrew Gay, 7. Steve Parry, 8. Joe Burke, 9. Shawn Owens, 10. Neil Dallimore, 11. Barrie Phillips, 12. Loren Quick, 13. Sam Studley. Subs: 14. Harri Greville, 15. Garrick Legge, 16. Phil Cushion, 17. Stuart Volkes. Coach: Dan Clements.

RED TEAM: 1. Marc Bennett, 2. Dalton Grant, 3. David James (Bridgend), 4. Craig Foster, 5. Tom Rees, 6. Matt Hutchings, 7. Jamie Stewart, 8. Adam Coupe, 9. Garyn Lucas, 10. Leigh Taylor, 11. Dean Scully, 12. John Sangier, 13. Adam Pope. Subs: 14. Paul Boden, 15. Stuart Harvey, 16. Tom Payne, 17. Anthony Symmonds. Coach: Hywel Davies.

The players are requested to bring their own shorts, socks and boots.

Directions to Porthcawl RFC here

Scorpions reveal first kit

2010-01-27T05:09:00.000-08:00

Three more players for the train-on squad

2010-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Dalton Grant, Anthony Symmonds and Lewis Reece have been added to the Scorpions train on squad thanks to their impressive performances for Crusaders under 18s. They will join the squad next week for pre-season training.

Contact details and buy your season ticket by post

2010-01-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

CONTACT DETAILS - CLUB ADDRESS: South Wales Scorpions, Wales Rugby League, The Farmhouse, Bridgend College, Pencoed. CF35 5LG

Phone: 01656 863896 - Email: info@scorpionsrl.com

To buy a season ticket by post and save the small internet fee, please send a cheque to the above address, made payable to "South Wales Scorpions". Tickets cost just £30 for all concessions or £60 for adults. Please add £1 per ticket for postage or state if you would like to collect your season ticket on February 28th at The Gnoll.

Alternatively, click here to buy your ticket online.

Scorpions pick their initial train-on squad

2010-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions have selected their initial train-on squad following a successful trial on Sunday afternoon where over 50 players turned up at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

The 28-man squad contains three players who scored tries for Wales when they beat Scotland 28-16 to win the European Cup last year, Ashley Bateman, Christiaan Roets and Lee Williams.

The Scorpions will be entering Co-operative Championship 1 in 2010 and will open their season with a home game at The Gnoll in Neath against former Super League side Workington Town on Sunday 28 February.

By sheer co-incidence, the Crusaders faced Workington at their first ever game at this level four years ago. The Scorpions have selected two players in their first training squad who starred in that game which finished 50-18 to the Welsh side, Dean Scully and Phil Cushion, both of whom were regulars throughout the Crusaders' inaugural 2006 season. Cushion is the fourth full Welsh internationalist in the squad.

Many of the rest of the training squad have been starring for either Crusaders in Super League reserves or clubs in the successful Welsh Conference Premier including two players with the same name, David James. One previously played for Bridgend Blue Bulls and the other for Blackwood Bulldogs.

This is a train on squad, further in house trials and friendlies will be held and players will be added and deleted from the squad in the next six weeks prior to the first League game.

TRAIN-ON SQUAD

Adam Coupe
Alan Pope
Ashley Bateman
Barrie Phillips
Christian Roetts
Craig Foster
David James
David James
Dean Scully
Gareth Dare
Garyn Lucas
Harri Greville
Jamie Stewart
Jamie Tibbs
Joe Burke
John Saniger
Lee Williams
Leigh Taylor
Loren Quick
Neil Dallimore
Paul Boden
Phil Cushion
Sam Studley
Shaun Owens
Stephen Ireland
Steve Parry
Stuart Harvey
Stuart Volkes

TRAINING INFORMATION - ALL PLAYERS PLEASE NOTE

• All players are to attend training on Monday 18th January at Bridgend College, Pencoed Campus, 6:45pm meet for a 7:00pm start. Please meet Dan Clements in the car park at the College.
• Wear your own kit but it must be suitable for the gym.
• All players to bring a water bottle and protein shake.

South Wales Scorpions on Bay Radio 102.1

2010-01-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

Listen again to Mark Rowley, Phil Davies and Rob Buckley who were on Bay Radio 102.1 FM this morning. Click here

Trials now to be held in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon

2010-01-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions RLFC will attempt to hold their player trials for a third time this Sunday on the Astroturf at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. All players are to meet at 4pm.

This is a change of venue and time. The original venue in Trefforest will still be out of action this Sunday.

As per the email they received, players are reminded to wear trainers and that boots are not allowed on the Astroturf. They are also recommended to wear tracksuit bottoms with shorts underneath.

Wales’ newest professional rugby league club are eager to begin pre-season training as kick-off is in less than seven weeks time.

The Scorpions face former Super League club Workington Town in their first game at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 28 February.

Trialists are advise to keep note of the www.scorpionsrl.com website should there be any further updates due to change in weather conditions.

Season tickets for are now on sale via the club website priced £60 for adults and £30 for concessions.

Scorpions directors to talk on Bay Radio tomorrow

2010-01-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions owner Phil Davies and commercial director Rob Buckley will be talking on Bay Radio tomorrow (Saturday) between 11.30am and midday to answer any questions fans have on the new club.

The Scorpions are Wales’ newest professional rugby league side and will kick-off their Co-operative Championship 1 season against former Super League side Workington Town on Sunday 28 February at The Gnoll in Neath.

Bay Radio can be listened to in the Swansea and West Wales area on 102.1FM or online worldwide at www.swanseabayradio.co.uk.

Davies and Buckley, along with their fellow directors, were in attendance at the first ever Scorpions supporters evening at The Gnoll on Thursday (yesterday).

A supporters club was formed with Andy Birchall from Port Talbot elected as chairman. Neil Goodman was appointed secretary and Rob Yates as treasurer. Aaron Hill, Chris O'Brien, Jon Nightingale and Glenn Colbridge will also sit on the committee.

The prices to join the Supporters Club were set at £5 for adults, £2 for 12 to 16yr olds and free for children aged 11 and under. The club can be contacted by emailing swscorpions@rugbyfans.net.

The new supporters club discussed having an influence in half-time and post match entertainment as well as the selection of mascots from within the supporters club junior section.

All members will get a discount on Scorpions' merchandise which the club are aiming to have on release for the season opener on February 28th.

Everyone at South Wales Scorpions RLFC and the Supporters Club would like to thank all supporters for the excellent turnout.

Supporters Club meeting tonight in ON

2010-01-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

The first ever South Wales Scorpions Supporters Club meeting is still definitely on tonight at The Gnoll clubhouse, Neath RFC and starts at 7.30pm. Please attend if you can.

Trial postponed until Sunday

2010-01-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Scropions trial has been postponed again due to a little bit of snow that has been falling in this area.

This has been rearranged again for Sunday with a 1pm start at the same venue, University of Glamorgan playing fields in Trefforest.

Trials still on for tomorrow (Wednesday)

2010-01-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions’ player trial is still on for tomorrow at the University of Glamorgan playing fields in Treforest. All players are to meet at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Trialists are advise to keep note of the www.scorpionsrl.com website should there be any further updates due to change in weather conditions.

Blackpool fixture date changed

2010-01-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

The date of the Scorpions’ home Co-operative Championship 1 match against Blackpool Panthers has been changed from Sunday 2nd May to the Bank Holiday Monday in line with the rest of the division’s fixtures that weekend. Kick-off will be the slightly later time of 3pm.

This will allow fans of Scorpions, Crusaders and Blackpool to attend the entire Magic Weekend in Edinburgh and be back in time for the game in Neath.

This game will see the welcome return of Paul Ballard to South Wales as the talented 25-year old winger has signed for Blackpool.

Ballard scored 40 tries in 49 games in 2007 and 2008 for the Crusaders but didn't feature in John Dixon's plans for the 2009 Super League season and made just two appearances before being loaned out to Whitehaven where he scored seven tries in nine games.

He chose to sign for Blackpool after wanting to travel less in 2010 and remain close to his Wigan base.

Primary School children to go free

2010-01-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions' chairman Phil Davies has announced that children aged 11 years old and under have the chance to enter every game for free during their 2010 season which kicks off with a home game against former Super League club Workington Town at the Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 28 February.

A maximum of two children aged 11 or under, per paying adult or adult season ticket holder can enter free. Any additional children can see the rugby league match for just £4 at the gate. Adult entry will cost just £8 per game.

"We want to make every game a family affair," said Davies. "To do that we want to make prices economical for families. Our season tickets will be going on sale soon and we hope we'll have an excellent response as throughout 2010 we'll be hosting the best value for money professional sporting events in the country."

Season tickets will cost just £60 for adults and £30 for all concessions.

Trial postponed

2010-01-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

The trial match for potential South Wales Scorpions RLFC in Trefforest this Sunday has been postponed. This will be re-arranged for next Wednesday evening at a location and time to be decided. All applicants will be contacted by email.

The club have been overwhelmed by the amount of young Welsh players who want to play professional rugby league. Almost 100 applications were received, more than expected, and because of this, some players have been emailed and have been told they won't get a trial this time around. However they have been told that the door is never closed, to keep playing for their local Conference club and the opportunity may arise again in the future.

News on the open trials this Sunday

2010-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

The club are due to have a trial for potential players in Trefforest this Sunday at 1pm where almost 100 have applied to take part. The club will look at both the ground and the updated weather forecast tomorrow (Friday) and make a decision on whether the trial will go ahead on that day or not. If it is postponed, applicants will be emailed with an alternative date and location. Further news will be published here.

Season tickets on sale next Monday

2010-01-07T10:41:00.000-08:00

South Wales Scorpions’ season tickets will go on sale on the home page of the website www.scorpionsrl.com by 4pm next Monday.

Prices will be just £60 for adults and £30 for all concessions giving fans an incredible 25% saving on match by match prices for Wales’ newest professional rugby league club.

The Scorpions’ Co-operative Championship 1 season lasts 20 games (10 at home and 10 away) and starts with a home match at The Gnoll in Neath against former Super League side Workington Town on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

Sponsorship Opportunities

2009-12-31T03:47:00.000-08:00

Be a part of a new era for rugby league in South Wales.

The newly formed South Wales Scorpions Rugby League Football Club are looking for potential sponsors, from programme advertisements to matchday sponsors and shirt and kit sponsors.

The club will be playing in Co-operative Championship 1 and will be seen be a nationwide audience throughout 2010 at grounds over England and Wales plus in newspapers and on television news with the potential of live Sky Sports coverage.

All home games will be played at The Gnoll in Neath, the birthplace of Welsh rugby.

BE A PART OF A NEW BEGINNING!

Packages from as little as £25.

Please contact Mark Rowley on 07850 105516 or email mark.rowley@cymrurl.com.

500 members reached on Facebook

2009-12-31T02:02:00.001-08:00

South Wales Scorpions RLFC are delighted to have recruited 500 Facebook members in their first week and the club hopes to reach 1,500 by the time the 2010 season starts on Sunday 28 February with a home game against Workington Town at The Gnoll (kick-off 2pm).

"To have recruited over 500 fans in such a short space of time with no games being played yet just shows how popular that the Scorpions will be," said Scorpions director Mark Rowley. "We will be making further announcements regarding our coaching staff and other parts of the club in January, and we've had an excellent response for our open trials for players in Trefforest on January 10th. We've had a lot of positive messages from potential supporters and we all now can't wait for February 28th."

Click on the Facebook image above to join.

We are the Scorpions!

2009-12-22T23:12:00.000-08:00

Wales’ newest professional rugby league club has been named “South Wales Scorpions RLFC”.

The newly formed club, who will play their home matches out of Neath RFC, open their inaugural Co-operative Championship 1 campaign with a home game against former Super League club, Workington Town, at The Gnoll on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

The Scorpions moniker was chosen following an internet and radio campaign to suggest a nickname for the club. Congratulations must go to supporter James Bowes from Cardiff for originally suggesting the nickname. He will be sent two season tickets for the Scorpions as a prize.

“We’d like to thank all the fans for submitting their entries,” said Scorpions’ chairman Phil Davies. “We chose Scorpions above all other names as we felt we needed a new identity. It’s a new nickname for professional rugby league and one that is completely original for the area.

Of the two other possibilities, Celts had connotations from the Crusaders while Phoenix suggested a rising from the ashes. There have been a few suggestions that the mascot could be called “Sting” and the junior teams be known as “The Stingers”.

“We hope you all get behind the new team in the new year. I can further inform you that we have a website which is currently under construction at www.scorpionsrl.com. All the latest club news will be posted here for fans to read as soon as any is announced. The complete website, designed by a professional organisation, will be online before we kick off in February.

“I for one now can’t wait for 2010 to begin. In January, maybe before, we’ll be able to announce our head coach and after that, our squad. There are exciting times ahead as we continue to develop rugby league in Wales.”

The Scorpions have also launched their new badge which comes in two colours, the pink and black version will be the primary badge and worn on the home kit while the yellow version will go on the away kit.

Ticket prices confirmed for 2010

2009-12-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

South Wales RLFC have announced their season ticket and match admission prices for the 2010 Co-operative Championship 1 season.

The newly formed club, who will play their home matches out of Neath RFC, open their inaugural campaign with a home game against former Super League club, Workington Town, at The Gnoll on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

Match admission prices per game for anywhere in the ground are just £8 for adults and £4 for concessions (under 16s, students and seniors) but for the ten-game season, season tickets will cost just £60 for adults and £30 for all concessions giving fans a 25% saving.

Fans will be able to order their tickets early in January.

The new club are also hoping to come up with a nickname by tomorrow.

South Wales RLFC director Mark Rowley said: “Our favourites are Celts, Phoenix and Scorpions, all of which were suggested by fans on internet message boards. All three have their merits, Celts has tradition in the area and fans will already have songs with that name in, Phoenix has a rising from the ashes connotation while Scorpions is something brand new and original and we Welsh always play with a sting in our tale.

“The board are now considering all three names and, all being well, we will make a further announcement tomorrow.”

Swansea Sound to join in the campaign for new name

2009-12-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Swansea Sound’s “Kevin Johns Breakfast Show” has joined in with the campaign to find a nickname for the new rugby league club, South Wales RLFC.

The newly formed club, who will play their home matches out of Neath RFC, open their inaugural Co-operative Championship 1 campaign with a home game against former Super League club, Workington Town, at The Gnoll on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

If you listen to Kev Johns’ show on Swansea Sound between 6am and 10am tomorrow on 1170MW, DAB or online at http://www.swanseasound.co.uk/breakfast.php, he will announce details of the competition where you can win two season tickets to watch all the South Wales RLFC games live at The Gnoll throughout 2010.

South Wales to hold open trials for players

2009-12-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

South Wales RLFC are holding an open trial for players for their first season on Sunday 10th January at 1pm at the University in Glamorgan playing fields in Trefforest.

The newly formed club, who will play their home matches out of Neath RFC, open their inaugural Co-operative Championship 1 campaign with a home game against former Super League club, Workington Town, at The Gnoll on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

Players need to apply by filling in an form. These will be online by the end of this week at www.cymrurl.com and on the new South Wales RLFC website that will go live next week.

"The open trial is for League or union players to come along,” said South Wales director Mark Rowley. “The player base is fantastic here in South Wales. We know that we'll be able to use players who were in the Crusaders reserve team last season but there is still a lot of untapped talent out there.

"We'll be a 99 percent Welsh club which will be good for our identity. We won't be importing any players at all from Australia or New Zealand. We want Welsh players to go on and play Super League.

"Moving from the Conference to the Super League is too big a step. They need this middle ground in order to go on and play Super League and then for Wales. As a nation, we’re building towards qualification for the 2011 Four Nations and 2013 World Cup and this club is an important stepping stone in player development."

"We are hoping to develop links where players can travel back and forth. We’ll be more than a feeder side as players will be able to travel both ways. If the Welsh youngsters are not being used by the Crusaders, hopefully we can get them back.

"We’re hoping to be good enough to gain promotion to the Championship within two years and in six years time, we want to be able to compete for a Super League licence. I'm confident that we have the structure here to enable that to happen.”

Mark Rowley talks to League Express

2009-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

OUT of the Ashes of the Crusaders sudden 127-mile relocation from Newport to Wrexham spring South Wales RLFC, Rugby League's newest professional club who will play their first League match on February 28th against Workington Town (kick-off 2pm).

The new club will only play Championship One matches this season and will not enter either the Northern Rail Cup or the Challenge Cup, whose formats had already been agreed upon. They will rely mainly on players who played reserve-team football for the Crusaders last season - the Super League side will no longer run a team at that grade.

Mark Rowley, one of the South Wales directors, told 'League Express' that the club will not sign any players from Australia or New Zealand and that they aim to be in the Championship in two years and applying for a Super League licence in six years.

"It all came about two or three weeks ago when the talk of the Crusaders going to North Wales materialised," said Rowley.

"I'm confident that the structure is all there. We have very good people on board. Phil Davies is the owner of the club and the board of directors includes Mike Nicholas, John Devereux and myself.

"John has been the sponsor of amateur Rugby League in Wales for the last five years. He has a number of business interests.

"Other people have agreed to come on board but that won't be publicised just yet."

The side will play their matches at The Gnoll, the home of Neath RUFC, which holds up to 6,000 people and Rowley is confident of attracting healthy first-year crowds, claiming that any negativity among local Rugby League fans over the Crusaders relocation has been extinguished by the formation of the new club.

"We've budgeted a worst-case scenario of 200 a game but we're confident that we'll get 600-700 a game," he said.

"I thought there was some negativity around to be fair, but people seem to be coming round and we've answered some people's questions. The birth of a new club will alleviate the frustration here.

"In six years we hope to be able to compete for a Super League licence and we hope to be in the Championship in two years, even though this first year might not be easy.

"As for players, none are signed on at the moment but there will be an open trial on 3 January for League or union players to come along. The player base is fantastic here and we'll be able to use players who were in the Crusaders reserve team last season.

"We'll be a 99 percent Welsh club which will be good for our identity. We won't be importing any players at all from Australia or New Zealand. We want Welsh players to go on and play Super League.

"Moving from the Conference to the Super League is too big a step. They need this middle ground in order to go on and play Super League."

Rowley is confident that the new outfit will soon be able to announce a new coach.

"I can't say anything about the new coach at the moment but we will be interviewing three or four people this week," he said.

South Wales RLFC fixtures announced

2009-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

South Wales RLFC will, as announced last week, kick-off their inaugural season in Co-operative Championship 1 with a home game against the former Super League club Workington Town on Sunday 28th February.

The full season’s fixtures were announced today with the much anticipated home “local derby” match against London Skolars taking place a week before Easter on Sunday 28th March.

The club, who will be playing their home games out of the famous Gnoll ground in Neath, will only play league matches in their inaugural season and will enter the Northern Rail Cup and Carnegie Challenge Cup from 2011 onwards.

Executive chairman of Wales Rugby League and one of the South Wales’ club’s directors Mark Rowley said: “We’re looking forward to the first game on February 28th which we’re delighted to see is at home. We anticipate that we will get a good crowd as there has been a lot of excitement regarding our launch. We have an enormous player base to call on in South Wales now so I know that we have the structure down here to be very competitive.”

Full South Wales RLFC fixture list

2009-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Sunday 28th February - Workington Town (h) 1pm
Sunday 14th March - Doncaster (a) 3pm
Sunday 21st March - York City Knights (a) 3pm
Sunday 28th March - London Skolars (h) 2pm
Monday 5th April - Hunslet Hawks (h) 2pm
Sunday 11th April - Oldham (h) 2pm
Sunday 25th April - Swinton Lions (a) 3pm
Monday 3rd May - Blackpool Panthers (h) 3pm
Saturday 8th May - Gateshead Thunder (a) 7pm
Sunday 16th May - Rochdale Hornets (h) 2pm
Sunday 23rd May - London Skolars (a) 3pm
Sunday 13th June - Swinton Lions (h) 2pm
Sunday 27th June - Workington Town (a) 3pm
Saturday 3rd July - Blackpool Panthers (a) 3pm
Sunday 11th July - Gateshead Thunder (h) 2pm
Sunday 25th July - Rochdale Hornets (a) 3pm
Sunday 1st August - Oldham (a) 3pm
Sunday 8th August - Doncaster (h) 2pm
Sunday 15th August - York City Knights (h) 2pm
Sunday 21st August - Hunslet Hawks (a) 3pm

South Wales club to join The Co-operative Championship One

2009-12-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

The RFL Board of Directors has approved an application from a consortium of South Wales businessmen to enter a team into The Co-operative Championship One in 2010.

The new club, South Wales RLFC, will be independently run by a brand new management team and will play its home fixtures at The Gnoll, Neath.

The consortium is headed by local businessman Phil Davies who will head a wholly Welsh board which also features Mark Rowley, the Executive Chairman of the Wales Rugby League.

Nigel Wood, the RFL Chief Executive, said: “After careful consideration and following close consultation with existing Cooperative Championship clubs the board felt that welcoming the new club to Championship One was the right thing to do.

“The sport has made great strides in Wales in the last few years and in 2009 over 1,500 players have played the sport in the Principality, a 300 per cent increase on participation levels before Celtic Crusaders were formed four years ago.

“The new club is a vital link in the playing pyramid in Wales and maintains a career pathway for the cream of Welsh talent.

“Wales remains a strategically important region for Rugby League and we are delighted that Phil Davies and his fellow directors have shown the commitment they have to the sport in South Wales.”

South Wales RLFC will not participate in the Carnegie Challenge Cup or Northern Rail Cup in 2010 and will begin life with a home match in The Co-operative Championship One against Workington Town on Sunday February 28 at The Gnoll.

The Co-operative Championship and Champions One and Northern Rail Cup fixture lists will be published in full next Monday (December 14).