There was a special training session, and presentation of a superb new kit, for the Pembrokeshire Vikings last Sunday at Haverfordwest Rugby Club.
 
The Vikings had been set up as a mixed ability team prior to the pandemic but have just restarted under coaches Simon Gardener, Jeff Clout and Emma Summons, with Delyth Summons as the behind-the-scenes co-ordinator so necessary at any new club.
 
The training was excellent as the group, which comprises former players like Steve Brown, Andrew Meddings, Gethin Bateman, Daniel Morgan and others enjoying their run out alongside some very eager players with a disability in a session where everyone had a rattling good time.
 

Special guests – and great supporters of Welsh sport

 
Special guests were Ty Francis MBE and Dom Barrett, both originally from Pembrokeshire but now domiciled in New York and enjoying an involvement with the New York Welsh group there.
 
Also heavily involved, but unable to come to the county on this occasion were Marc Welby and Gwilym Roberts-Harry; all four committed to supporting sporting charities back in Wales, including sponsorship for the Newport Dragons’ disability teams of both sexes (plus a special hub vehicle), Carmarthen Quins Minis (under 15s) – and in this county with the Kilgetty Girls Football teams run by Lukas Gamble, and the four teams at the South Pembs Sharks girls’ rugby.






 

Ty was delighted to help support the new club in his old county

 
But the duo were still eager to put even more back into their home county and so when Ty saw on social media that the Vikings were restarting and seeking a sponsor he was quickly in touch with Simon and Delyth to offer his help, alongside similar sponsorship for the Cleddau Wildcats girls-only team
 
So it was that Ty and Dom were there to share a special afternoon, along with Gordon Eynon, the WRU councillor for District H of the Welsh Rugby Union, and Angela Miles, the disability officer for Sport Pembrokeshire in County Hall, as well as Ken Davies, who does so much for junior rugby in the county, plus various members of the committee of Haverfordwest RFC, including Allan Wills (Chairman), Graham Dalton (Secretary), Jeff Clout, John Summons and Glan Studley.
 
There are now plans, as the club makes progress, to take it around to every club in the county to spread the news and encourage more participation in mixed ability rugby and who knows, perhaps the good men of the New York Welsh might be attending even more great afternoons like this!