HOST CLUBS
Two historic Cardiff rugby clubs have accepted the invitation to be host clubs for the Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in 2016. Steeped in Welsh rugby folklore Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Harlequins RFC will be ideal venues for participants to experience every thing that is good about the great game of rugby.
Cardiff Rugby Football Club Cardiff Harlequins Rugby Founded in 1876, their first competitive game was against Newport at Wentloog Football Club Marshes in December of that year. The club located early to its famous ground at Cardiff Arms Park, named after the local Cardiff Arms public house and on the grounds of the old Cardiff Hotel. Cardiff gained IRB recognition in 2010 when the club were inducted into the IRB hall of fame, one of only two clubs who have been given that honour. Cardiff have produced countless internationals and British Lions players. Immortals such as Gwyn Nicholls, Rhys Gabe, Percy Bush, Wilfred Wooller, Dr Jack Matthews, Bleddyn Williams, Cliff Morgan, Gerald Davies, Barry John, Gareth Edwards, John Scott, Rob Howley and David Young have all played in Blue and Black. Cardiff has provided more players to the Welsh national team and the Lions than any club in Wales. The club has hosted touring sides to the Arms Park, the first being the 1888 New Zealand Maoris, and has beaten all the major touring teams. Australia has never beaten Cardiff RFC in six attempts. In 1953 Cardiff achieved the legendary 8-3 victory over the All Blacks. The Arms Park has seen many developments. The venue is among the most famous in the world. In 1999 the National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park was replaced by the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff Rugby Football Club, however, continues to play at Cardiff Arms Park and is looking forward to welcoming Golden Oldies Rugby Footballers and their supporters to their historic, vibrant Club.
1934
Cardiff Harlequins Rugby Football Club owes its existence, in part, to an early example of student power. For many years Cardiff High School played football. Student pressure caused school authorities to adopt rugby as the main winter sport in 1921. At the end of the 1921/22 season, the first-ever Old Boys team took the field in a fixture with the school first XV. In 1928 the Old Boys Rugby Club was officially reformed and the club’s first ever fixture was played on the Cardiff Arms Park against Cardiff RFC. In 1962 the Old Boys became one of the few clubs in Wales to own its own ground outright. Several have played for Wales, including Cecil Davies (1931), W E N Davies (1939), Sid Judd (1953-1955) and Merion Roberts (1960-1963). Centre Roberts, later to captain Cardiff, was unique in that he gained a Wales trial while still with the Old Boys. He went on to make his Wales debut against South Africa in 1960 and played in the Barbarians side that beat the tourists 6-0 at the Arms Park. Cardiff Harlequins Rugby Club are looking forward to being involved and invite Golden Oldies rugby teams to visit their traditional clubrooms at Diamond Ground, Whitchurch, a short distance from Cardiff CBD.
Cardiff Arms Park
2015
Meet The Legends of Welsh Rugby Every Night at
Cardiff Arms Park Hosted By Cardiff RFC and The Cardiff Blues
Experience the Magnificent Millennium Stadium When you take the opportunity to march on to the field for the Opening Function and then six days later enjoy the Finale Dinner on the hallowed ground of Millennium Stadium the incredible atmosphere and sense of rugby history will be very powerful. Probably an experience that will be the closest most of us will ever get to playing a test on the famous fields. Some special theming and entertainment might give us a bit of an idea though!
A unique rugby experience that will be the perfect start and end to Golden Oldies Rugby’s 21st Celebration. With total seating capacity of 74,500, the Millennium Stadium is the second largest stadium in the world with a fully retractable roof and only the second facility in Europe to include this feature! The chance to enjoy the Opening and the Finale at the Millennium Stadium is something not to be missed.
Recognised as one of the great rugby destinations and home to 1.1 million people, Cardiff is the capital of Wales and the ninth largest city in the United Kingdom. Cardiff has no shortage of traditional British pubs for you to discover and enjoy. Combine this with the ancient castles, churches, historic buildings and galleries and Cardiff is the perfect mix of culture, rugby and leisure. Perfect for a Golden Oldies Rugby Festival.
The Game Plan Sunday, August 21st Teams will settle into their selected accommodation and prepare for a week of Fun, Friendship and Fraternity. Golden Oldies Rugby will have meet and greet facilities at all accommodation to welcome teams to the 21st Golden Oldies Rugby Festival. Late afternoon, teams will gather in the grounds of the historic and picturesque Cardiff Castle and will parade through the streets of Cardiff as they walk to the Millennium Stadium, venue for the Welcome Party. The party will take place on the Stadium Floor with food and an open bar. The large screens will be in action and a unique opportunity, no doubt, to create an experience to remember. Mid-evening teams will return to their accommodation. Monday, August 22nd Teams will transfer to the University Fields for the first round of games followed by appropriate hospitality and relaxation. Evening free to enjoy the delights of the pubs and restaurants in Cardiff. Tuesday, August 23rd A day of rest and recreation and the opportunity to enjoy Cardiff Bay or take the Doctor Who or Gavin and Stacey tour. Other ways to spend the day include a trip to delightful Caerphilly, visit the stunning Brecan Beacons, maybe a visit to the famed Norwegian Church or the St Fagans National History Museum.
Wednesday, August 24th Teams will again transfer to the University Fields for the second round of games. Thursday, August 25th The optional Big Day Out will be hosted at Cardiff Arms park by the Cardiff Blues. Friday, August 26th The final round of games at the University Fields followed by an evening of rest and recreation. Saturday, August 27th Spend the day at leisure sightseeing, shopping and visiting local rugby clubs, pubs and restaurants. Early evening teams will gather at the Millennium Stadium for a magnificent dinner with outstanding entertainment, awards and a minimum of formality. The
screens will be operating showing a montage of the weeks enjoyment and teams will be seated on the Stadium Floor enjoying the atmosphere of one of the best rugby Stadiums in the world. Sunday, August 28th Teams will depart or maybe stay on for a few more days and enjoy the opportunity to tour around Wales a very special country with a great deal to offer.
Packages Package Prices are from GBP895 per person and a full list of accommodation and price packages are on our website at www.goldenoldiessports.com The options represent excellent value. Details of the Festival on the website will be regularly updated and newsletters will advise you of changes and additions.
Enquiries and entries to: Golden Oldies Rugby Office Level 1, 8a Anzac St, PO Box 331 469, Takapuna, 0740 Auckland, New Zealand Telephone: +64 9 486 1644 Email: rugby@govsl.com
www.goldenoldiessports.com