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World in Motion, through its charitable arm, the World in Motion Foundation, are delighted to pledge their support to the Nantymoel RFC Junior sections for two rugby seasons from September 2019.

Nantymoel R.F.C. was founded in 1885 / 86 and celebrated its 125th season in 2010 / 2011. The club was formed by men who came to the Ogmore Valley to work in the mines. During this time, it was known as the Nantymoel White Stars, a name it kept for several years. The club has endured many ups and downs over the years and will compete in WRU National League 3 West Central A in the 2019/20 season. For a small club, a good number of its players have gained Welsh representative honours at age group level, with one full Wales international having previously played for the club, prop Boyo James in the late 1960’s. 

In recent years, the club has found itself in increasingly challenging times and the offer of support from the London based sport management agency who also have offices in Cardiff and throughout Europe came at just the right time. The reasoning behind this connection comes as a result of the Chairman and owner of World in Motion, Andy Evans, whose father and grandparents were born and raised on Station Road in Nantymoel. As a result, after spending many happy times visiting Nantymoel and the Ogmore Valley, he consequently has a strong affinity with the area and has always wanted to one day be able to assist the local rugby club in a positive way.

Having been established for more than twenty years,  World in Motion has built a reputation as one of the leading multi-sports management agencies in the country and has represented some if the biggest names in rugby over the years.  Andy was only too happy to help his old town club by pledging an investment in the youth section of the club.  Evans said, ‘I’m delighted to be able to help the club through the youth sections now some 40 years after coming back to visit my grandparents regularly in the school holidays and I hope that with our help we can get the club thriving again.’

The support will come in the form of kit and equipment supply for both the newly formed U7 and U11 sections as well as help towards other playing related costs and coaching. A small rugby festival is also in the planning to really galvanise youth rugby in the village again, with the possibility of one or two rugby personalities showing up over the course of the seasons to offer some help and advice to the children of the club. Nantymoel RFC Chairman Adrian Trowbridge said ‘We are delighted to be associated with World in Motion and greatly appreciate the interest in the club shown by Andy and his team. Their support of grass roots rugby is most welcome and is aligned with our ethos of encouraging the involvement of young people and developing rugby across all age groups.