- RGC 1404
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RGC 1404, formerly Gogledd Cymru (Welsh for "North Wales"; pronounced [ˈgɔglɛð ˈkəmrɨ]), is a fledgling rugby union development team announced by the Welsh Rugby Union in September 2008.[1] Although an amateur North Wales rugby representative side had existed for over 50 years, Gogledd Cymru was established by the North Wales Rugby Council, in Feb 2007, in response to the WRU approved strategic plan for the development of rugby union in the region. This saw a north Wales side playing in the Welsh Premiership division by 2010-11[2][3][4] In their first season Gogledd Cymru reached the final of the Welsh Counties Cup.
One of the criteria for achieving Welsh Premierhsip status is a playing venue which meets WRU criteria for this league. There are only 2 grounds in north Wales which meet these criteria, the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham and Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay. In May 2008, Gogledd Cymru played their first game at Parc Eirias against a Combined Services side,simultaneously celebrating being named Rugby World Magazine's Team of the Year. In the same year plans to establish a Cooperative Community Interest Company (CCIC) were put in place and Rygbi Gogledd Cymru CCIC was incorporated on the 9th Jan 2009. It was the first such rugby administrative structure in the UK. In December 2008 Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay was ratified by the WRU as a Premiership standard home venue for the team.[5]
The profiles, structures and planning put in place by Gogledd Cymru stimulated a unique rugby partnership with Conwy County Borough Council,the WRU and Rugby Canada. In August 2009 a series of major initiatives were announced aimed at the continued development of the game in North Wales . These included launching a North Wales Rugby Academy and an innovative plan to introduce Rugby Canada international players to the development region's representative team.
In January 2010, the team was renamed RGC 1404 to reflect the year that Owain Glyndwr became Prince of Wales, [6] and RGC being an acronym for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (Rugby North Wales).
On the 19th January 2011 Rygbi Gogledd Cymru CCIC went into liquidation but the team continue to play. In its short life RGC-CIC had a major impact on rugby in North Wales. Directly or as a catalyst it:-
- Created a regional rugby identity and brand (Gogledd Cymru and subsequently RGC1404),
- Offered senior players, referees and spectators the experience of high quality rugby,
- Identified Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay as the most suitable venue for the team, stimulating a £6.5 million regeneration investment which will have a major impact on the town,
- Provided a vehicle for the development of Canadian Rugby,
- Facilitated the return of a former Wales Coach to the International Rugby stage,
- Organised the world’s first open International Rugby Injuries Conference,
- Initiated innovative research into the use of virtual reality simulators to improve rugby skills,
- Improved the involvement of physiotherapists in North Wales rugby through the establishment of www. rugbyphysios.com
- Successfully managed the North Wales Rugby Team, for almost four years
- Organised the first reunion dinner for former North Wales Rugby players,
- Revived an historic North Wales fixture and the Rydal Vikings Rugby team inaugurating the annual Bleddyn Williams Trophy match.
Unfortunately, unlike a true catalyst, this activity has consumed RGC-CIC.
The team has been absorbed into the WRU National Academy and continues to play.
Current squad
Backs Player Position Nationality Club Arwel Lloyd 
AberystwythRhodri Carlton Jones LlandudnoJack Moorehouse 
SaleMarcus Holden 
RhylNick Blevins 
Wolf PackConnor Braid BC BearsSean White BC BearsForwards Player Position Nationality Club Andrew Baston ChesterKelvin Davies LlandudnoJames Jones LlanrwstSimon Griffiths LlangefniTom Hughes BalaHubert Buydens Wolf PackLuke Cudmore BC BearsJason Marshall BC BearsJon Phelan The RockJebb Sinclair The RockChauncey O'Toole The RockReferences
- ^ http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/09/09/a-step-closer-to-joining-rugby-s-elite-55578-21705877/
- ^ http://www.box.net/shared/zji725btpd
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/wru-plan-for-northern-development-team-923786.html
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7562575.stm
- ^ http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-sport/conwy-county-sport/2008/12/11/rugby-wru-unveil-parc-eirias-as-home-of-north-wales-rugby-55243-22454535/
- ^ BBC Sport - North Wales summon Owain Glyndwr's spirit in revamp
External links
Rugby union in Wales Governing body National teams National team competitions Wales at the Rugby World Cup · Six Nations Championship · Prince William Cup · James Bevan Trophy · Women's Six Nations ChampionshipRegional and club teams Regional and club competitions Heineken Cup · European Challenge Cup · Magners League · LV= Cup · Welsh Premier Division · British and Irish Cup · Welsh Cup · WRU National Leagues · Glamorgan County Silver Ball Trophy · Mid District CupPrevious competitions Related articles Welsh rugby union system · Wales rugby union captains · Welsh rugby union players · Millennium Stadium · National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park · London Welsh RFC · Wales international playersRugby union in Canada Governing body Provincial unions Alberta · British Columbia · Manitoba · New Brunswick · Newfoundland · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · SaskatchewanNational teams Competitions International: Canada at the Rugby World Cup · Americas Rugby Championship
National: Rugby Canada National Junior Championship · National Women's League · Canadian Rugby ChampionshipFormer competitions Related articles International playersCategories:- Welsh rugby union teams
- Rugby union in Canada
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