Welsh Rugby Clubhouses

Welsh rugby clubhouses an ongoing work where I aim to document all the clubhouses across Wales.  This began with an interest over twenty years ago when I would play at clubs dotted across West Wales which could be found on the outskirts, down cul-de-sacs or on top of a wind blown hill.  Every clubhouse was a unique place to visit, they could be next to the pitch, a local pub in the village or town, or a converted house.  My involvement with my local club allowed me to witness the community which surrounds the club culture and how members would care for all from the players to the drinkers who enjoyed a conversation about life. 

Welsh rugby is a multilayered and complex community and has at times had to pull together during pandemics, helping the vulnerable and supporting the community during times of need.  The ambition of the majority of their club members is to see one of their players succeed at the highest level whilst supporting the national team come any international game.  This has experienced a very turbulent time, notably since the creation of the professional game.  The evolution has introduced a new tier of rugby with the regional game which has never settled since its advent.  Alongside this the national team and set-up have had its difficulties.

This project has been on my mind for a number of years, and with the recent developments of the national game rather than sit and watch, I’ve wanted to go out and explore the clubs which I know and form the basis of the game in Wales.  The local game which is founded on community and on their culture.  This work is not a political statement on the state of the game in Wales, but and ode to the clubs which were formed for the people in that locality.  I no longer want to sit and chew over my photos; my aim is to publish the clubhouses on this website as the project progresses.