Rugby at the heart of our communities

As the supporters of Wales’ national team celebrate the third Grand Slam in eight years, a new book of photographs taken by students from the University of Wales, Newport will be published this week.

The photo book, called Rugby Heart of the Community, portrays and celebrates what has made this success possible, depicting grass-roots rugby in towns and villages throughout Wales. It includes over a hundred photos displaying the impact of rugby on the communities with images of players, coaches, match officials, supporters and volunteers enjoying our national sport and illustrating how the game brings people and communities together.

The exploits of our nation team have been well documented, and rightly so. However books depicting the sport at local level are few and far between. Anyone who has played or watched rugby at any level will be able to appreciate and identify with the photos in this book, however it is also an important account of Welsh community life and includes portraits of the remarkable characters and unsung heroes associated with local rugby.

Over 3,000 photos were taken by Alice Carfrae, Luke Ball and Steven Pepper and designed by Michael Trott. The photos were taken at the following clubs: Fishguard, Cardigan, Pyle, Porthcawl, Taibach, Gwernyfed, Blackwood, Caldicot, Brecon, Aberdare, Ynysddu, Croesyceiliog, Shotton and Bangor. Here's a taster

http://www.ylolfa.com/newyddion.php?ID=443