Our History

Heol y Cyw RFC was founded in 1906 by what was then a mining community. In the early years the Club operated mainly out of the Heol y Cyw Working Mens Club, known to most as the Bottom Club. The Club grew over those early years and eventually its own Clubhouse was built by the members who converted Greenfields Cottage on High Street which had formerly belonged to the Watkins family. The Clubhouse was formally opened on 6th July 1978 by legendary Wales and British Lions International, Barry John. 

Barry John cutting the ribbon at the new Clubhouse opening. Pictured with Club Chairman, Jack Pearson

Over the years the Club has become known as one which both provides a warm welcome to all comers and which is ambitious, with a reputation for punching well above its weight as a small village club. This has brought some notable successes. In 1983 the Club reached the final of the Brewers Cup, which was played against Baglan at Cardiff Arms Park, and in April 1984 defeated Maesteg Harlequins to win the Lyn Sports Cup. The Club also gained WRU status in the 1988/89 season. 

Heol y Cyw team at Cardiff Arms Park for the 1983 Brewers Cup Final

Heol y Cyw has also achieved some notable giant killing results such as holding Ebbw Vale to an 18-18 draw and in the summer of 2013 beating Pontypool 22-14. The Club's greatest achievement on the field came on 4th May 2013 when we defeated Rhydyfelin 20-19 at the Millennium Stadium to win the WRU Swalec Plate. The match was extremely close and a nail biter to the finish. During the build up to this win, the 1st XV had climbed from Division 4 to Division 1 of the WRU National league over a four-year period. 

The Superstars - our Swalec Plate winning team of 2012/13

Today we are still looking forwards with plans to take the club forwards both in terms of our rugby and development of our facilities. In the summer of 2020 we have established our new Minis & Juniors section which we will be developing over the coming seasons. Our senior teams are looking strong and as a whole we are looking forward to the next chapter in the story of our Club.