We had some exciting applications for our second round of funding which made shortlisting extremely difficult. 

It was also great to see that there are exciting projects happening here in Blaenau Gwent! 

Thank you to everyone who applied, here are your winners! 

Brynmawr RFC 

Brynmawr RFC asked for help to replace the bulbs in the floodlights at their ground which have all stopped working. Brynmawr RFC currently have three sides, attracting players from all over Blaenau Gwent. They are hoping to develop junior and mini sections this year.  

Brynmawr RFC has invested heavily in the ground over the past few years having a new pitch laid and creating a training pitch. They have also made improvements to the changing rooms including a new heating system and new windows.  

Brynmawr RFC said “In order to be able to provide the current and any future teams with training facilities we require new bulbs for our main floodlights which unfortunately have now all ceased working. Having the floodlights working will also allow us to stage evening games and hire the rugby pitch out to other teams looking to stage midweek evening games. We are pleased with our track record in producing young rugby players who benefit not only Brynmawr but other local clubs in the area. Rugby is an excellent interest for people of all ages and abilities and provides youngsters with the tools to help them develop skills such as interpersonal skills, teamwork, discipline, and the confidence to express their views and physical skills. It also helps with physical and mental health”.  

Nantyglo FC 

Nantyglo FC asked for help to extend their clubhouse and changing rooms at Duffryn Park Blaina. Nantyglo FC was started in 2009 by volunteers and had one senior team. They have gone from strength to strength and now have eight teams three senior teams and five junior teams ranging from under 8s up to under 14s and expect to add a further four junior teams over the next two years. In addition to growing teams, Nantyglo FC has taken ownership of the playing field and changing rooms at the Duffryn Park Blaina and has transformed the run-down changing rooms into an inviting new clubhouse.  In order to increase the number of teams that Nantyglo FC fields they need to be able to accommodate the additional players and their families. 

Nantyglo FC said “extending our building will make a massive difference and put another 100 children into football teams, that will add to our already five junior teams which have 120 children already. We have won Community Club of the Year because we help the community by doing events every year to raise funds for local charities and we have raised thousands in the last five years. The money raised has helped local families to help their children get the health support they need for treatment. If we are successful in this application, it would make a massive difference for everyone at the club now and in the future, the future is bright the future is Nantyglo FC”. 

Garnlydan Community Spirit 

Garnlydan Community Spirit asked for help to throw a community party to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Garnlydan Community Spirit is a local community group that meets up on a monthly basis and consults with the wider community to discuss what activities/projects they would like to see happening in their area. At their monthly meetings they discuss community issues/needs and how to deal with them in the hope of creating a better community for the residents of Garnlydan and the surrounding areas. They have worked closely with external agencies e.g. Tai Calon, Keep Wales Tidy, GAVO and the Police to achieve their goal, their goal being to restore community spirit, which they feel has declined recently due to a lack of activities/events due to Covid.  

Garnlydan Community Spirit said: “The aim of the project is to organise a Jubilee community lunch event, which will give us the opportunity to increase community participation and community cohesion. It will also help to decrease isolation, which has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. We also aim to improve people’s mental health and well-being and bring back their confidence in getting involved with our group and to become more involved with other projects. We would hope that any projects would have a positive impact on the environment and the mental health of those involved. We want to make Garnlydan and surrounding areas a better place to live by identifying needs through community consultation and then putting things in place to meet those needs. We want the community to take ownership of the projects and feel proud of the impact that they have. We want our projects to be sustainable and increase access to opportunities that people in disadvantaged communities might otherwise not have access to (fairness and equality of opportunity)”.