ENG:
CONTENTS:
1. CEO Welcome
2. Return to Rugby
3. NatWest Cymru loan lands for Regions
4. Bobby’s fitness videos online now
5. Rugby News
6. Finally… Gerald on JJ
1. CEO welcome
Firstly, a huge thank you to all members who attended our Annual General Meeting last week and especially to those who submitted questions and/or contributed feedback afterwards. Driven by circumstance, it was the first time we have conducted this meeting online and, whilst not a substitute for meeting in person, I felt there were hugely positive elements to the process which we hope to continue to utilise in the future.
Thanks also to Gerald Davies, who spoke so eloquently about our national game and with the gravitas that befits his position as our President and figurehead; his interaction with Rhodri Lewis in chairing the meeting was something to behold. For anyone who missed the meeting, Gerald’s comments about how the word ‘sport’ in the Welsh language – which contains an element of enjoyment or fun in its definition – so aligns with our own vision for Welsh Rugby in general, were a real treat for all of us listening.
Our community game has felt the brunt force of the pandemic once again during the two-week firebreak lockdown, but we are pleased to see measures set to be relaxed and there is more important information on this from our Community Team below. It is our hope that soon the ‘fun’ can return and our clubs can get back to doing what they are best at, in safe environments.
There is also extremely good news below for the regional game, with CLBILS loan money now immediately available with the direct aim of sustaining Wales’ four regional sides – Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – through the pandemic for the 2020/21 season. We have been engaged in healthy discussions with NatWest Cymru and ended up with a sensible solution which we are all very pleased about and very grateful to NatWest Cymru for.
It has been the Professional Rugby Board’s (PRB) role to establish a consensus amongst our regional sides concerning the allocation of the money. The easiest thing to do would have been to split £20m four ways, but it is to everyone’s credit that we have come up with a much more appropriate solution than that. The four regions are all at different stages and their needs differ accordingly. So, the PRB has done what it is set up to do and brokered a solution that suits all four entities. We have ended up with fair and sensible allocation rather than equal for the sake of being able to say ‘equal’ and it is a solution for which I think all parties should be commended.
Wayne Pivac is a man with a long-term vision and it’s one that will be shared throughout Welsh Rugby. That vision is for our nation to succeed at the Rugby World Cup in 2023. This doesn’t mean there aren’t immediate short and medium-term goals and losing matches is never on the check list. But, having already established a top four seeding at the 2023 tournament, some of the pressure on results necessarily abates.
During our recent regular meetings, Wayne has been open and honest in his assessment of performances on the pitch, but there has now been a “line drawn in the sand” in camp and the forthcoming Autumn Nations Cup provides new opportunity for both development and progress. Performances may not have been as Wayne has wanted for his talented squad, nor indeed what he knows is achievable.
But there is nothing better after a setback than to be immediately presented with the opportunity to re-set and improve on what has gone before.
Against Ireland in a fortnight’s time, Wales will kick-off a new and exciting tournament, one in which players – some new and others becoming established - will gain immeasurably from the experience and where we will be striving for significant improvements in both performances and results. We will need to create the momentum to ensure we realise our full potential and deliver during the 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign in the New Year.
Stay safe.
Steve Phillips
WRU CEO
2. Return to rugby
Clubs, teams and Female Hubs in all local authorities can return to community rugby activity upon the lifting of the firebreak lockdown in Wales on Monday 9th November.
They will be able to bring back skills and fitness-based activities with a touch or tag element, whilst following the same strict Covid-19 protocols and measures in place prior to the Firebreak and outside of any local lockdown temporary suspensions. There will be no travel restrictions in place meaning that all players and coaches may participate in community rugby training providing they complete the symptom checker on the WRU Game Locker ahead of each training session and comply with all track and trace requirements. We have provided Club Operations Managers with additional support in this area and will communicate with them ahead of Monday once we have received the updated guidance document from Welsh Government.
We are also currently working with government, our insurers and other partners to explore how our game may develop over coming months, dependent on the public health situation.
3. NatWest Cymru Loan Lands for Regions
The Welsh Rugby Union has completed the agreements with the four Regions to onward lend the £20m loan Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) from NatWest Cymru.
The WRU’s appointed banker granted final approval for CLBILS funding earlier in October and the agreements with the Regions mean this money can now be onward lent.
The money has been sourced with the direct aim of sustaining Wales’ four regional sides – Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - for the 2020/21 season.
It is needed because of the negative impact the ongoing pandemic has had on the ability of each business to generate revenue in the usual way.
The allocation of the CLBILS funds has been determined by each region, working together in the PRB and agreed collectively, what they each needed to bridge the challenges of this current season.
The £20m loan agreement is between the WRU and NatWest Cymru, with the money onward lent to each individual region with the terms of the agreements between the WRU and the regions reflecting the terms of the original loan.
Cardiff Blues are set to receive £5.0m, the Dragons £4.5m, the Ospreys £5.0m and the Scarlets £5.5m.
“We are extremely grateful to NatWest Cymru for supporting professional rugby in Wales with this hugely significant contribution to our sustainability for the year ahead,” said PRB chair Amanda Blanc.
“PRB members have engaged in open discussions about the allocation of funds according to the individual and different needs of each entity.
“This is precisely what the PRB is here to do, to manage, facilitate and enable professional rugby in Wales and to sustain all five professional entities in accordance to the needs of each at a given time.
“For a region to accept and vote through a decision which gives themselves less funding than a neighbour, but for justifiable and entirely explicable reasons, shows the PRB working at its finest.”
NatWest Cymru was officially appointed as banker to the WRU in March 2019, in a deal which provided a c.£40m funding package at the time, including revolving credit facilities to support earnings enhancing capital expenditure and ongoing working capital needs.
“The global pandemic has created unprecedented economic challenges to many sectors, none more so than events and hospitality,” said Stuart Allison, who is a Director with NatWest Cymru.
“In 2019 we structured a financing arrangement designed to facilitate growth and revenue diversification.
“In response to the immediate challenges of the pandemic we revisited that arrangement and crafted a structure that will provide additional funding and flexibility to further support the Welsh Rugby Union and, in turn, professional rugby in Wales with this loan.
“As the game’s governing body in Wales, the WRU is working to ensure it is in the strongest position possible to build stability and success in both the professional and the community game.
“We are confident that these funds will be utilised to maximum effect to help to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic and are pleased to be able to offer our support.”
CLBILS is a government scheme designed to facilitate access to finance for medium-sized and larger businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Terms give the lender a government-backed partial guarantee (80%) against the outstanding balance of the facility, but the borrower remains fully liable for the debt.
4. Bobby’s fitness for all videos are online now
The Wales squad’s (and former time British & Irish Lions’) strength and conditioning coach Paul ‘Bobby’ Stridgeon has produced a series of videos outlining training sessions for all ages and abilities with the help of international players Gareth Davies, Manon Johnes and Kayleigh Powell.
Bobby says aerobic and anaerobic training are important factors in any training programme and a local pitch or rugby pitch are all you need to begin his sessions.
Gareth and Manon go through his first sessions and get involved now, here: https://community.wru.wales/video/rugby-ready-running-sessions/
5. Rugby news
INSPIRATION WES SAYS RUGBY SAVED HIM
New Panteg head coach Wes Cunliffe insists Welsh rugby saved him from a life of crime and believes it has a lot to offer many others in his situation.
The well-loved Premiership back, who has played for Ebbw Vale, Newport and Cross Keys and hopes to represent Swansea when rugby resumes, makes no bones about the role rugby played in turning his life around.
As a teenager growing up in the Pill and Dyffryn areas of Newport, Wes became caught up in a spiral of lawbreaking until local police officer Darren Morgan introduced him to St Joseph’s RFC and advised him to put his boundless energy and obvious athleticism to good use.
The rest as they say is history and Wesley credits the sport, and in particular the people and welcoming environments he encountered in rugby clubs throughout Gwent for providing the positive and supporting influence he needed.
“When Ebbw Vale offered me my first contract, my grandad sat me down, told me I could be in prison or worse and this was my chance to get out of that life for good…” he said.
“…At New Panteg, we welcome all people at the club and I think that’s the same for the vast majority of Welsh rugby clubs. It’s important to get that message out. Rugby is for all, regardless of your shape, size, race, colour or sexual orientations.”
More here: https://community.wru.wales/article/wes-cunliffe-living-the-dream/
ONE ERA ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS IN PEMBROKE
It’s the end of an era for the Pembroke and District Rugby Union following confirmation that Charles Davies, who has served nobly as secretary since 1984, has stepped down.
At the union’s virtual AGM last night Davies, who gave notice in late 2019 that he would only be serving for one more year, welcomed Whitland RFC stalwart Suzanne Davies in as his replacement.
She will become just the third secretary to serve since the Second World War, with Glyn Morgan serving for almost four decades himself prior to Davies doing his 36 year stint.
Steve Holmes (Chairman), Brian Davies (President), and Delyth Summons (Treasurer) will all continue in their current roles.
(With thanks to Fraser Watson at Western Telegraph): https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/sport/18825461.charles-davies-steps-36-years-pdrfu-secretary/
O’FLAHERTY WINGS IT
The Welsh Premiership has produced its fair share of Welsh internationals, but last weekend it was able to boast a third Heineken Champions Cup winner.
And having joined Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams in picking up the ultimate honour in club rugby in the northern hemisphere, Tom O’Flaherty is hoping to double up with Exeter Chiefs by adding the Gallagher Premiership title at Twickenham this weekend.
Last weekend’s European winner’s medal from the win over Racing 92 already sits alongside his two Daily Mail National U18 Schools titles, the WRU National Cup winner’s medal from 2015, when he was in the Bridgend Ravens side that beat Pontypridd at Principality Stadium, and an Anglo-Welsh Cup winner’s medal from 2018 with the Chiefs.
The 26-year-old Lambeth-born, former Cardiff University student has come a long way in a short time. It may have been a rather circuitous route to the top, but for now at least the sky seems to be the limit for the flying Chiefs wing.
From being a highly rated scrum half at Dulwich College, he played for Blackheath, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Montpellier Academy, Bridgend and the Ospreys before signing for the Chiefs in 2017. He held off the challenge of former Wales and British & Irish Lions wing Alex Cuthbert to play in the showpiece final at Ashton Gate.
More here: https://community.wru.wales/2020/10/23/flying-oflaherty-happy-with-unconventional-route-to-glory/
PARRY CONTINUES SIR GAR DYNASTY
Sam Parry is the latest Coleg Sir Gar product to graduate to full honours with Wales.
Ospreys hooker Parry made his Test debut in the friendly defeat by France last weekend, his appearance off the bench in Paris continuing Sir Gar’s proud history of producing international players. In Wayne Pivac’s current Wales squad for the 2020 autumn campaign, Gareth Davies, Samson Lee, Ryan Elias, Josh Adams and Parry have all come through the Sir Gar system.
All five were involved against France.
The college’s director of rugby Euros Evans has also helped the likes of Scott Williams and Aled Davies and in the past Adam Jones and Rob McCusker pull on the Three Feathers.
It was under the guidance of Evans that Parry made the switch from the back-row to hooker, a decision which has ultimately helped him to represent his country.
More here: https://www.wru.wales/article/parry-continues-sir-gar-tradition-of-capped-welshmen/
THE WILLIAMS BROTHER WHO LEFT A RUGBY LEGACY OF HIS OWN
Peter Williams, who helped coach two of the most successful Welsh Schools U18 teams, died last month after a short illness.
He was the assistant coach to John Huw Williams on the tour to New Zealand in 1990, when Wales beat the young All Blacks 17-11 in Christchurch, and was head coach four years later when Gethin Watts’ side went to Australia and won 19-12.
Scott Quinnell and Andrew Lewis went on to play for Wales from the 1990 team in New Zealand, while the Class of ’94 in Australia contained future caps in Martyn Williams, Nathan Thoms, James Richards, Chris Anthony, Nick Walne, Jon Funnell and Leigh Davies.
The brother of former Llanelli, Wales and British & Irish Lions wing JJ Williams, he trained as a teacher at Caerleon College of Education after leaving Maesteg Grammar School. As well as being a good rugby player, he also won the Welsh Schools and Welsh AAA Junior Men’s triple jump titles in 1959.
https://community.wru.wales/2020/10/22/obituary-peter-williams/
Our President Gerald Davies has followed tributes to the late JJ Williams, who passed away last week, with some carefully chosen words of his own:
“JJ Williams was one of those rare sportsmen, rarer still in this day and age, if at all, to make a hugely successful transition from one sport to another.
From a Welsh International athlete performing in the sprints in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh (1970), to becoming a fully-fledged rugby player for Wales and the Lions. Brilliant, truly brilliant, in both. One of the very best of wingers in whom you could feel confident as a match winner.
Although, in expectation, there appears to be very little in it, in replacing spikes for the studded rugby boot, there is in fact, a significant difference. To run in straight lines on the synthetic surface, with no hindrance, is quite a different prospect to running with soil clinging to the soles of your feet, a ball in hand, looking to left and right, and chased by any number of people trying to stop you…He was comfortable in his stride. Always giving the impression of being unhurried, in control. So good to watch...
He was truly a lovely man, a great friend and companion who has left us all with a memorable legacy.”
More from Gerald here:
https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/gerald-davies-pays-special-tribute-to-former-teammate-jj/
CYM:
DIWEDDARIAD STATWS URC 4/11/2020
Cynnwys
1. Croeso gan y Prif Swyddog Gweithredol
2. Dychwelyd i Rygbi
3. Benthyciad NatWest Cymru ar gyfer y Rhanbarthau
4. Fideos ffitrwydd Bobby ar-lein nawr
5. Newyddion Rygbi
6. Yn olaf... JJ yng ngeiriau Gerald
Yn gyntaf, diolch yn fawr i'r holl aelodau a fynychodd ein Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol yr wythnos diwethaf ac yn enwedig i'r rhai a gyflwynodd gwestiynau a/neu a gyfrannodd adborth wedi’r cyfarfod. Dyma'r tro cyntaf inni gynnal y cyfarfod hwn ar-lein a hynny oherwydd yr amgylchiadau presennol. Er nad oedd yn curo cyfarfodydd wyneb i wyneb, teimlwn fod elfennau hynod gadarnhaol i'r broses o gynnal cyfarfod ar-lein, a gobeithiwn barhau i'w defnyddio yn y dyfodol.
Diolch hefyd i’n Llywydd Gerald Davies, a siaradodd mor gadarnhaol am ein gêm genedlaethol, o’i safbwynt o fel arweinydd i’n camp; roedd yn hyfryd ei wylio’n rhyngweithio môr llwyddiannus â Rhodri Lewis a oedd yn cadeirio’r cyfarfod. I unrhyw un a fethodd y cyfarfod, roedd sylwadau Gerald am sut roedd y gair 'chwaraeon' yn yr iaith Gymraeg – sy'n cynnwys elfen o fwynhad neu hwyl yn ei ddiffiniad – felly'n cyd-fynd â'n gweledigaeth ni ar gyfer Rygbi Cymru yn gyffredinol. Roedd yn bleser i bawb a fu’n gwrando arno.
Mae ein gêm gymunedol wedi teimlo grym mwyaf y pandemig unwaith eto yn ystod y clô byr hwn o bythefnos. Er hyn, rydym yn falch o weld mesurau'n cael eu gosod i'w llacio ac mae gwybodaeth bwysicach am hyn i weld isod gan ein Tîm Cymunedol. Ein gobaith yw y gall yr 'hwyl' ddychwelyd cyn bo hir, a gall ein clybiau ddychwelyd at wneud yr hyn y maent yn eu gwneud orau, mewn amgylchedd diogel.
Hefyd, mae newyddion da isod ynglŷn â’r gêm ranbarthol, gydag arian o Gynllun Benthyciadau Ymyriad Coronafeirws i Fusnesau Mawr (CLBILS) bellach ar gael. Nod uniongyrchol y benthyciad yw cynnal pedwar tîm rhanbarthol Cymru - Gleision Caerdydd, Dreigiau, Gweilch a’r Scarlets - drwy'r pandemig ar gyfer tymor 2020/21. Rydym wedi bod yn cynnal trafodaethau buddiol gyda NatWest Cymru ac wedi cytuno ar ddatrysiad synhwyrol, ac felly yn ddiolchgar iawn i NatWest Cymru.
Rôl y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol fu i sefydlu consensws ymysg ein timau rhanbarthol ynghylch dyrannu'r arian yma. Y peth hawsaf i'w wneud byddai rhannu £20 miliwn bedair ffordd, ond er clod i bawb, cafwyd ateb llawer mwy priodol na hynny. Mae'r pedwar rhanbarth i gyd mewn sefyllfaoedd gwahanol, ac mae eu hanghenion yn wahanol yn unol â hynny. Felly, mae'r Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol wedi gwneud yr hyn y mae wedi'i sefydlu i'w wneud ac wedi cytuno ar ateb sy'n addas ar gyfer y pedwar tîm rhanbarthol. O ganlyniad, mae’r dyraniad yn un teg a synhwyrol, a chredaf y dylid canmol pawb a fu’n rhan o’r drafodaeth am gytuno ar y dyraniad yma.
Mae Wayne Pivac yn ddyn sydd â gweledigaeth hirdymor, un sy’n cael ei rannu drwyddi draw yn Rygbi Cymru. Y weledigaeth honno yw i'n tîm cenedlaethol lwyddo yng Nghwpan Rygbi'r Byd yn 2023. Nid yw hyn yn golygu nad oes nodau tymor byr a thymor canolig a tydi colli gemau byth ar y rhestr obeithion. Ond, wrth ein bod eisoes wedi ein gosod yn un o’r pedwar uchaf ar gyfer y twrnament yn 2023, mae llai o bwyslais ar y canlyniadau.
Yn ystod ein cyfarfodydd rheolaidd diweddar, mae Wayne wedi bod yn agored ac yn onest yn ei asesiad o'r perfformiadau ar y cae. Serch hynny, erbyn hyn mae "llinell wedi'i thynnu yn y tywod" ac wrth nesáu at Gwpan Cenhedloedd yr Hydref bydd yn gyfle o'r newydd i ddatblygu a gwella. Efallai nad oedd y perfformiadau wedi bod fel y dymunai Wayne ar gyfer ei garfan dalentog, nac yn wir yr hyn y mae'n gwybod sy'n gyraeddadwy.
Wedi unrhyw rwystr fel colli, nid oes dim yn well na chael ail gyfle i gymryd cam yn ôl er mwyn gwella a dysgu o’n camgymeriadau. Yn erbyn Iwerddon ymhen pythefnos, Cymru fydd yn agor y twrnament newydd a chyffrous, gyda’r gic gychwynnol. Bydd yn dwrnament lle bydd chwaraewyr - rhai newydd ac eraill yn parhau yn eu datblygiad - yn elwa'n aruthrol o'r profiad a lle byddwn yn ymdrechu i sicrhau gwelliannau sylweddol mewn perfformiadau a chanlyniadau. Bydd angen i ni greu'r momentwm i sicrhau ein bod yn gwireddu ein llawn botensial yn ystod ymgyrch Chwe Gwlad Guinness 2021 yn y Flwyddyn Newydd.
Cadwch yn ddiogel.
Prif Swyddog Gweithredol Undeb Rygbi Cymru
2. Dychwelyd i rygbi
Gall clybiau, timau a hybiau merched ym mhob awdurdod lleol ddychwelyd i weithgareddau rygbi cymunedol pan ddaw'r cyfnod clô diweddara i ben yng Nghymru ar ddydd Llun 9 Tachwedd.
Bydd modd iddynt ddod â sgiliau a gweithgareddau ffitrwydd yn ôl gydag elfen o gyffwrdd neu dag, gan sicrhau eu bod yn dilyn yr un protocolau a mesurau Covid-19 llym a ddefnyddiwyd yn flaenorol. Rhaid hefyd sicrhau nad oes unrhyw waharddiadau dros dro lleol. Ni fydd cyfyngiadau ar deithio, sy’n golygu bydd modd i bob chwaraewr a hyfforddwr gymryd rhan mewn sesiynau hyfforddiant rygbi cymunedol. Cyn unrhyw sesiwn, bydd angen i bawb gwblhau’r gwiriwr symptomau ar dudalen wê ‘Game Locker’ URC, a chydymffurfio ag unrhyw ofynion profi ac olrhain. Rydym wedi darparu cymorth ychwanegol ynglŷn â hyn i Reolwyr Gweithrediadau Clybiau, a byddwn yn cysylltu â hwy cyn dydd Llun, ar ôl i ni dderbyn y ddogfen yn amlinellu’r canllawiau, wedi'i diweddaru gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
Yr ydym hefyd wrthi'n gweithio gyda'r llywodraeth, ein hyswirwyr a phartneriaid eraill i archwilio sut y gallai ein gêm ddatblygu dros y misoedd nesaf, yn dibynnu ar sefyllfa iechyd y cyhoedd.
Mae Undeb Rygbi Cymru wedi cwblhau'r cytundebau gyda'r pedwar Rhanbarth ar gyfer eu dyraniad o’r benthyciad o £20m o’r Cynllun Benthyciadau Ymyriad Coronafeirws i Fusnesau Mawr (CLBILS) gan NatWest Cymru.
Rhoddodd bancwr penodedig URC y gymeradwyaeth derfynol ar gyfer cyllid CLBILS yn gynharach ym mis Hydref ac mae'r cytundebau gyda'r Rhanbarthau nawr yn golygu y gellir trosglwyddo’r arian ymlaen iddynt.
Nod yr arian yw cynnal pedwar tîm rhanbarthol Cymru - Gleision Caerdydd, Dreigiau, Gweilch a Scarlets - ar gyfer y tymor 2020/21. Oherwydd yr effaith negyddol y mae'r pandemig parhaus wedi'i chael ar allu pob busnes i gynhyrchu refeniw yn y ffordd arferol, mae angen yr arian yma ar y rhanbarthau.
Daeth y penderfyniad a’r sut i ddyrannu arian CLBILS gan y rhanbarthau, gan gydweithio yn y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol. Cytunwyd ar y cyd yr hyn yr oedd ei angen ar bob un ohonynt i bontio heriau'r tymor presennol.
Rhwng Undeb Rygbi Cymru a NatWest Cymru y mae cytundeb y benthyciad o £20 miliwn. Yna caiff yr arian ei fenthyg ymlaen i bob rhanbarth unigol gyda thelerau'r cytundebau rhwng URC a'r rhanbarthau yn adlewyrchu telerau'r benthyciad gwreiddiol.
Bydd Gleision Caerdydd yn derbyn £5.0 miliwn, y Dreigiau £4.5 miliwn, y Gweilch £5.0 miliwn a'r Scarlets £5.5 miliwn.
Dywedodd Amanda Blanc, cadeirydd y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol: "Rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar i NatWest Cymru am gefnogi rygbi proffesiynol yng Nghymru gyda'r cyfraniad hynod arwyddocaol hwn a fydd yn helpu i’n cynnal am y flwyddyn i ddod."
"Bu aelodau'r Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol yn cymryd rhan mewn trafodaethau agored am ddyrannu arian yn ôl anghenion unigol a gwahanol pob tîm rhanbarthol
"Dyma bwrpas y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol, i reoli, hwyluso a galluogi rygbi proffesiynol yng Nghymru ac i gynnal pob un o'r pum tîm proffesiynol yn unol ag anghenion pob un ar adeg benodol.
"Dangoswyd y Bwrdd Rygbi Proffesiynol yn gweithio ar ei orau, wrth i ranbarth dderbyn a phleidleisio ar benderfyniad sy'n rhoi llai o arian iddynt eu hunain na ranbarth cyfagos, ond am resymau y gellir eu cyfiawnhau a'u dyblygu'n llwyr.
Penodwyd NatWest Cymru yn fancwr swyddogol i URC ym mis Mawrth 2019. Cafwyd cytundeb a ddarparodd becyn ariannu o tua £40 miliwn ar y pryd, gan gynnwys cyfleusterau credyd cylchol i gefnogi enillion sy'n gwella gwariant cyfalaf ac anghenion cyfalaf parhaus.
Dywedodd Stuart Allison, sy'n Gyfarwyddwr gyda NatWest Cymru: "Mae'r pandemig byd-eang wedi creu heriau economaidd digynsail i lawer o sectorau, gyda digwyddiadau a lletygarwch wedi eu taro gwaethaf."
"Yn 2019 strwythurwyd trefniant ariannu gennym a gynlluniwyd i hwyluso twf ac arallgyfeirio refeniw.
"Mewn ymateb i heriau uniongyrchol y pandemig buom yn ailedrych ar y trefniant hwnnw. Rydym wedi llunio strwythur a fydd yn darparu cyllid a hyblygrwydd ychwanegol i gefnogi Undeb Rygbi Cymru ac, yn ei dro, rygbi proffesiynol yng Nghymru gyda'r benthyciad hwn.
"Fel corff llywodraethu'r gêm yng Nghymru, mae URC yn gweithio i sicrhau ei fod yn y sefyllfa gryfaf bosibl i adeiladu sefydlogrwydd a llwyddiant yn y gêm broffesiynol a chymunedol.
"Rydym yn hyderus y bydd yr arian hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol i helpu i leddfu effaith negyddol y pandemig ac yn falch o allu cynnig ein cefnogaeth."
Cynllun gan y llywodraeth yw Cynllun Benthyciadau Ymyriad Coronafeirws i Fusnesau Mawr (CLBILS). Bwriad y cynllun yw hwyluso mynediad at gyllid i fusnesau canolig a busnesau mwy a gaiff eu heffeithio o ganlyniad i’r coronafeirws. Yn unol â’r telerau, caiff y benthyciwr gwarant rannol (80%) gan y llywodraeth, yn erbyn gweddill yr hyn sy’n ddyledus, ond mae'r benthyciwr yn parhau i fod yn gwbl atebol am y ddyled.
Mae Paul 'Bobby' Stridgeon, hyfforddwr cryfder a chyflwr sgwad Cymru (a thîm Llewod Prydain ac Iwerddon' yn y gorffennol) wedi cynhyrchu cyfres o fideos ffitrwydd. Maent yn amlinellu sesiynau hyfforddi ar gyfer pob oedran a gallu, gyda chymorth y chwaraewyr rhyngwladol Gareth Davies, Manon Johnes a Kayleigh Powell.
Dywed Bobby fod hyfforddiant aerobig ac anaerobig yn ffactorau pwysig mewn unrhyw raglen hyfforddi ar unig beth ydych chi angen i ddechrau ei sesiynau ydi cae rygbi (neu unrhyw gae chwarae).
Dyma Gareth a Manon yn cymryd rhan ac yn mynd drwy sesiynau cyntaf Bobby: https://community.wru.wales/video/rugby-ready-running-sessions/
5. Newyddion rygbi
WES YN DWEUD BOD RYGBI WEDI EI ACHUB
Mae prif hyfforddwr Clwb Rygbi New Panteg, Wes Cunliffe, yn mynnu bod Rygbi Cymru wedi ei achub o fywyd o drosedd. Credai gall eraill yn yr un sefyllfa ag o, elwa o’r gamp.
Gobeithiai’r olwr Uwch Gynghrair, sydd wedi chwarae dros Lynebwy, Casnewydd a Cross Keys ac sy'n gobeithio cynrychioli Abertawe pan fydd rygbi'n ailddechrau, yn ei wneud yn amlwg fod chwarae rygbi wedi trawsnewid ei fywyd.
Yn ei arddegau, yn ardaloedd Pillgwenlli a Dyffryn yng Nghasnewydd, cafodd Wes ei ddal mewn awyrgylch o dorcyfraith. Daeth y trobwynt, pan gafodd Wes ei gyflwyno i Glwb Rygbi Sant Joseph gan swyddog heddlu lleol Darren Morgan a'i gynghori i wneud defnydd da o'i egni di-ben-draw a'i allu athletaidd.
Ymlaen ychydig flynyddoedd, ac erbyn hyn mae Wesley yn canmol y gamp, ac yn enwedig y bobl a'r amgylchedd croesawgar a wynebodd mewn clybiau rygbi ledled Gwent, am ddarparu'r dylanwad cadarnhaol a chefnogol yr oedd ei angen arno.
"Pan gynigiodd Glynebwy fy nghontract cyntaf i mi, cefais fy narbwyllo gan fy nhaid, dywedodd wrthyf y gallwn fod yn y carchar neu'n waeth a dyma oedd fy nghyfle i ddod allan o'r bywyd hwnnw am byth..." Dywedodd.
"... Yng nghlwb rygbi New Panteg, rydym yn croesawu pawb i’r clwb ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'r un fath i'r mwyafrif helaeth o glybiau rygbi yng Nghymru. Mae'n bwysig cyfleu'r neges honno. Mae rygbi i bawb, waeth beth fo'ch siâp, maint, hil, lliw neu dueddfryd rhywiol."
Mwy yma: https://community.wru.wales/article/wes-cunliffe-living-the-dream/
UN CYFNOD YN DOD I BEN AC UN ARALL YN DECHRAU YM MHENFRO
Mae'n ddiwedd cyfnod i Undeb Rygbi Penfro a'r Cylch yn dilyn cadarnhad bod Charles Davies, sydd wedi gwasanaethu fel ysgrifennydd ers 1984, wedi camu yn ôl.
Yn ystod Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol rhithwir yr undeb neithiwr, croesawodd Davies, a roddodd rybudd ddiwedd 2019 mai dim ond am flwyddyn arall y byddai'n gwasanaethu, aelod o Glwb Rygbi Hendygwyn-ar-Daf, Suzanne Davies fel ei olynydd.
Hi fydd y trydydd ysgrifennydd yn unig i wasanaethu ers yr Ail Ryfel Byd, gyda Glyn Morgan yn gwasanaethu am bron i ddeugain mlynedd ei hun cyn i Davies wneud ei gyfnod o 36 mlynedd.
Bydd Steve Holmes (Cadeirydd), Brian Davies (Llywydd), a Delyth Summons (Trysorydd) i gyd yn parhau yn eu rolau presennol.
(Gyda diolch i Fraser Watson yn Western Telegraph): https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/sport/18825461.charles-davies-steps-36-years-pdrfu-secretary/
O'FLAHERTY YN LLWYDDO
Mae sawl chwaraewr rhyngwladol wedi deillio o Uwch Gynghrair Cymru, ond penwythnos diwethaf roedd modd ychwanegu trydydd chwaraewr o’r gynghrair i ddod yn Bencampwr y Cwpan Heineken.
Ac ar ôl ymuno â Leigh Halfpenny a Liam Williams i gasglu'r anrhydedd eithaf mewn rygbi yn hemisffer y gogledd, mae Tom O'Flaherty yn gobeithio mynd am y dwbl gyda Exeter Chiefs. Mae'n gobeithio ychwanegu teitl Uwch Gynghrair Gallagher yn Twickenham y penwythnos hwn.
Mae ei fedal o’r fuddugoliaeth Ewropeaidd yn erbyn Racing 92, eisoes yn ymuno a llith o lwyddiannau eraill. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys dau deitl o Ysgolion Dan18 Cenedlaethol y Daily Mail, medal Cwpan Cenedlaethol URC o 2015, pan chwaraeodd i dîm Bridgend Ravens a churo Pontypridd yn Stadiwm y Principality, a medal Cwpan Eingl-Gymreig o 2018 gyda Exeter Chiefs.
Yn anedig o Lambeth, yn 26 oed mae’r cyn-fyfyriwr Prifysgol Caerdydd wedi dod ymhell mewn cyfnod byr. Efallai ei fod wedi bod yn llwybr anarferol i'r brig, ond am y tro o leiaf, mae'n ymddangos y bydd asgellwr Exeter Chiefs yn parhau ar ei drywydd llwyddiannus.
O chwarae fel mewnwr llwyddiannus yng Ngholeg Dulwich, chwaraeodd dros Blackheath, Prifysgol Caerdydd, Caerdydd, Academi Montpelier, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr a'r Gweilch cyn arwyddo i Exeter Chiefs yn 2017. Llwyddodd i ddal ei safle i chwarae yn y gêm yn Ashton Gate penwythnos diwethaf, er bod cyn-asgellwr Cymru a Llewod Prydain ac Iwerddon, Alex Cuthbert yn y garfan.
Mwy yma: https://community.wru.wales/2020/10/23/flying-oflaherty-happy-with-unconventional-route-to-glory/
PARRY YN PARHAU TEYRNASIAETH SIR GÂR
Sam Parry yw’r diweddaraf o Goleg Sir Gâr i chwarae i Gymru. Chwaraeodd y bachwr o’r Gweilch, ei gem gyntaf dros Gymru yn y gêm gyfeillgar yn erbyn Ffrainc penwythnos diwethaf. Daeth oddi ar y fainc ym Mharis gan ychwanegu at hanes parhaus Sir Gâr o ddatblygu chwaraewyr rhyngwladol. Yng ngharfan bresennol Cymru ar gyfer gemau’r hydref 2020 dan adain Wayne Pivac mae Gareth Davies, Samson Lee, Ryan Elias, Josh Adams a Parry, i gyd wedi dod drwy system Sir Gâr.
Chwaraeodd y pump yn eu hymgyrch yn erbyn Ffrainc.
Mae cyfarwyddwr rygbi'r coleg Euros Evans hefyd wedi helpu chwaraewyr fel Scott Williams ac Aled Davies, Adam Jones a Rob McCusker i’r crys coch rhyngwladol.
O dan arweiniad Evans y gwnaeth Parry'r newid o’r rheng ôl i’w safle fel bachwr, penderfyniad sydd yn y pen draw wedi ei helpu i gynrychioli ei wlad.
Mwy yma: https://www.wru.wales/article/parry-continues-sir-gar-tradition-of-capped-welshmen/
DYLANWAD HIR OES UN O’R BRODYR WILLIAMS
Bu farw Peter Williams, a helpodd i hyfforddi dau o dimau Dan18 mwyaf llwyddiannus Ysgolion Cymru, fis diwethaf ar ôl salwch byr.
Bu’n hyfforddwr cynorthwyol i John Huw Williams ar y daith i Seland Newydd yn 1990, pan gurodd Cymru dîm ifanc y Crysau Duon 17-11 yn Christchurch. Bu hefyd yn brif hyfforddwr bedair blynedd yn ddiweddarach pan aeth tîm Gethin Watts i Awstralia ac ennill 19-12.
Aeth Scott Quinnell ac Andrew Lewis ymlaen i chwarae dros Gymru o’r tîm hwnnw yn 1990 yn Seland Newydd, tra bod rhai o’r tîm a deithiodd i Awstralia yn ‘94 yn cynnwys chwaraewyr rhyngwladol y dyfodol - Martyn Williams, Nathan Thoms, James Richards, Chris Anthony, Nick Walne, Jon Funnell a Leigh Davies.
Yn frawd i gyn asgellwr Llanelli, Cymru a Llewod Prydain ac Iwerddon, JJ Williams, hyfforddodd fel athro yng Ngholeg Addysg Caerllion ar ôl gadael Ysgol Ramadeg Maesteg. Yn ogystal â bod yn chwaraewr rygbi da, enillodd deitlau naid driphlyg Ysgolion Cymru a Dynion Iau Cymdeithas Athletau Amatur Cymru hefyd yn 1959.
Mae ein Llywydd Gerald Davies wedi dilyn teyrngedau i'r diweddar JJ Williams, a fu farw'r wythnos diwethaf:
"Roedd JJ Williams yn un o'r mabolgampwyr prin hynny, yn fwy prin yn yr oes sydd ohoni, os o gwbl, i bontio'n hynod lwyddiannus o un gamp i'r llall.
Dechreuodd fel athletwr rhyngwladol o Gymru yn sbrintio yng Ngemau'r Gymanwlad yng Nghaeredin (1970), ac yna datblygu i ddod yn chwaraewr rygbi gan chwarae dros Gymru a'r Llewod. Roedd yn wych, yn wirioneddol wych, yn y ddau. Un o’r goreuon ar yr asgell, ble gallech deimlo'n hyderus y byddai’n llwyddo mewn gêm.
Er nad yw'n ymddangos fod llawer o wahaniaeth rhwng esgid rhedeg ac esgid rygbi, mewn gwirionedd, mae gwahaniaeth mawr. Mae rhedeg mewn llinellau syth ar arwyneb synthetig, heb rwystr, yn hollol wahanol i redeg ar gae gyda phridd yn glynu wrth sodlau eich traed, pêl yn eich llaw, yn edrych i'r chwith a'r dde, ac yn cael eich herio gan unrhyw nifer o bobl sy'n ceisio eich atal. Roedd yn gyfforddus yn ei gam. Bob amser yn rhoi'r argraff fod digonedd o amser ac o fod â rheolaeth lwyr. Roedd yn bleser ei wylio...
Roedd yn ŵr bonheddig, yn ffrind a chyfaill da, ac yn ddylanwad cofiadwy i’r gamp."
Mwy gan Gerald yma:
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