F
Catch this: Llandaff chairman Mark Woodman
promoted content
With Louis Rees-Zammit in The British & Irish Lions
squad for the South Africa tour, Llandaff RFC can’t
wait to cheer him on as he tries to make his mark on history
SHARE
PASSING THE LUCK
ree hot dogs on a Sunday morning for the children
and a junior coaching set-up overseen by a club stalwart with four decades of experience. When the pedigree extends to producing talent of the quality of Louis Rees-Zammit – one of the most exciting Welsh rugby players in a generation – it’s little wonder Llandaff Rugby Football Club has a waiting list for signing on.
“The kids love it – they are like ants here on a Sunday,” says chairman Mark Woodman, explaining how the young players from the under-7s queue up for their free hot dogs at the end of training sessions with the Cardiff club.
Run by “legend” Ron Jenkins for the past 40 years or so, it has one of the biggest mini and junior sections in Wales, covering every age group with waiting lists for most of them. Rees-Zammit was one of those who came through the ranks from the age of seven until his teens, and even at such a young age, and among such numbers, he stood out under the guidance of Andy “Kipper” Kane.
“Kipper was his coach all the way through,” Woodman says. “Louis could play anywhere in the backs, from scrum-half to fullback, and he was always a very talented lad. His pace was unbelievable – as you can see today. He is so quick.”
Hot stepper: Louis Rees-Zammit on tour with the Lions
The family still have a strong connection to Llandaff RFC with Rees-Zammit’s brother Taylor playing in the first team’s back row – although his loyalty to Louis comes first, having even dashed off at half-time during a Llandaff match to get across the Severn Bridge in time to see his younger brother in action for Gloucester.
Louis isn’t the first British & Irish Lion to have once played for the Welsh club, although it has been 71 years since Rex Willis toured Australia and New Zealand. A portrait of the scrum-half hangs proudly in the bar. Woodman hopes a signed Lions shirt from Rees-Zammit might soon join it.
It’s all a reminder that when you play for Llandaff, which was founded in 1876 before the Welsh Rugby Union was formed, it’ll always retain a special place in your life, and that’s certainly been the case for Woodman.
“I’ve been involved with the club for the past 30 years,” he explains. “I came from a soccer background and started playing rugby when I was 28, so was late to the game, then carried on ruining my body until I was 45 playing vets’ rugby.”
He went on to coach the juniors, then moved on to the committee, becoming vice-chairman and then chairman a couple of years ago.
Making history: players' shirts and memorabilia on display at the Llandaff club, which was founded before the Welsh Rugby Union
“It’s a great rugby club. When I was playing semi-pro soccer, I went where they paid me the most money and I had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus. When I went to Llandaff, the social side of the game at the club was fantastic. I got offers to go to other clubs, but I never wanted to leave.”
Part of the draw is the setting. The club still plays on its original pitch, Bishop’s Field, set against the backdrop of Llandaff Cathedral.
“We’re well known because we’ve been around for so long, and all the valley sides like to come down and give us Cardiff softies a kicking,” says Woodman. “On a Saturday, the rugby club is absolutely bouncing and we encourage the social side. After each game, those who are old enough to drink are offered beers.”
In the past few years, the clubhouse has been redeveloped to host corporate events such as weddings and parties to bring in much-needed revenue. The changing rooms and referees’ room have also been refurbished, and a new physio room built. It’s a forward-thinking mindset.
“We’re running it like a business rather than an old boys’ club,” Woodman says. And it’s paying dividends on the pitch. Despite not having played a competitive game in more than a year because of coronavirus disruption, around 70 players are already reporting for pre-season training.
We’re proud to support the community. Teignmouth is a place where people stay
The social side extends beyond the facilities to a longstanding touring tradition. Llandaff were one of the very first teams to visit South Africa in 1993 after apartheid was lifted. With the world hopefully more open to travel next year, 100 members have already signed up for a much-needed trip to Thailand.
“Coming from a football background, the farthest I ever went was England,” Woodman says. “Yet I’ve been all over the world with Llandaff, to Canada, South America, Hong Kong, Dubai and more. Our members enjoy going on tour.”
This summer Llandaff’s touring will have to be done vicariously through the exploits of Rees-Zammit, part of a strong Welsh contingent in the Lions’ party as they enjoy an eight-match schedule in South Africa, including three Tests against the world champions.
While the stadiums might be eerily quiet and without the sea of familiar red shirts so synonymous with the Lions’ tours, Warren Gatland’s squad are getting plenty of support from fans back home.
“We’ve got a huge car park where we’re hoping to erect a big screen and create a fan zone at the club and open it to the public, following all the socially distanced rules, of course,” Woodman says.
If the plan comes to fruition, the Welsh club will no doubt be, to use the words of Woodman, absolutely bouncing once again, and if Rees-Zammit charges over the whitewash with ball in hand, then those British & Irish Lions might just about hear the roar from Cardiff.
pride of lions
Triple malted for real depth of flavour, London Pride is brewed at the Griffin Brewery, by the Thames in Chiswick, using 100 per cent British ingredients. It takes skill, dedication and time to brew an ale this outstanding. It takes the same to become a Lion. Play with Pride. Share with Pride. Roar with Pride.
Find out more at londonpridebeer.co.uk
Devon cream team: serial tryscorer Sam Simmonds in action for Exeter Chiefs
Hands on: members of the Cardiff club in action
Members of the Cardiff club take part in training
photography: Gareth Iwan Jones for Bridge Studio
Photography: Gareth Iwan Jones for Bridge Studio