NEWS that professional rugby league is leaving Neath has been described as an untimely blow to the town.
The South Wales Scorpions, formed in 2010, this week announced that they would be leaving the town, where it has played its first four seasons, to move to a new home at Maesteg RFC.
The move means professional league rugby returns to Bridgend county, after the Celtic Crusaders moved from the Brewery Field to North Wales in 2009.
But as a campaign is set to start to highlight Neath, the news of the sport leaving the town has come at the wrong time, say businesses in the town.
Bernadette Jackson, chairwoman of Neath Chamber of Trade, said: “The Chamber is indeed saddened to hear that yet another opportunity to showcase Neath, increase revenue and awareness of Neath, is being taken away.
“We are currently in the process of launching our Love Neath Campaign on February 24, to increase footfall and trade in Neath and this news therefore could not be more untimely.”
The Wales Rugby League governing body is based at Maesteg School, the home of the South Wales RL Academy so, with the support in place in the area, WRL Chief Operating Officer Chris Thair believes that the Scorpions can really set down roots in the Llynfi Valley.
“We’ve had amazing support from the people of Maesteg already,” he said.
“We’d like to thank Neath RFC for being fantastic hosts over the last four years. We’ve had some good times in the area, their support for the club has been invaluable.”
The team’s first match at the Old Parish ground will be on March 2.
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-cipriani-backed-england-return-060947490--spt.html
News that professional rugby league is leaving Neath described as an "untimely ...
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