Bridgend Athletic RFC

Back in January 2026, Ethan and his family received the devastating news that no child should ever have to hear – Ethan had been diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma.

What followed was a long and difficult journey through intensive chemotherapy, hospital stays, and countless challenges. Throughout it all, Ethan showed incredible strength, courage, and determination. He truly was a warrior.

As a community, we came together to support Ethan and his family during the toughest time of their lives. The love, kindness, and generosity shown by everyone made such a difference, and together we celebrated every milestone along the way.

On the 15th May 2026, after finishing his last round of chemo, Ethan proudly rang the bell, marking the end of his cancer treatment. It was a moment filled with hope, relief, and happiness. We all believed Ethan's fight with cancer was finally over.

Heartbreakingly, less than three weeks later, Ethan became unwell again. This week, his family received the devastating news that the cancer has returned.

No child should ever have to go through cancer once, let alone face it for a second time.

Ethan is currently in Bristol Hospital, where doctors are hoping he will soon be well enough to take part in a clinical trial that could help blast this disease away once and for all. His family are by his side every step of the way, staying in Bristol and focusing entirely on Ethan and his treatment.

As a community, I am asking if we can once again rally around Ethan and his family. I never imagined we would need to set up another fundraiser, but here we are, and now more than ever they need our support.

The funds raised will help ease the financial burden on the family while they are away from home and unable to work. They will also help towards any additional treatments, travel costs, accommodation expenses, and any private care or specialist treatment that may become available to give Ethan the very best chance.

Let's show Ethan that he is not facing this battle alone. Let's remind him and his family that an entire community stands beside them, supporting them every step of the way.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you're unable to donate, please share this page and keep Ethan and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Together, let's help Ethan fight this battle once again.

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Support Ethan with his battle with Cancer Support Ethan's Fight Against Cancer – AgainBack in January 2026, Ethan and his family received the devastating news that no child should ...

Please donate 🙏 Every little helps 🫶🏼🔰

Bridgend Athletic RFC We're raising money for a cause that's close to our hearts and would love your support. The goal of the Noah’s Ark Children's Hospital Charity is to create brighter todays and better tomorrows for the 73,000 children cared for at our nation's children's hospital each year. The charity ensures that...

2026/2027 Youth 🔰🏉

Come and support women’s rugby!

This Saturday 30th May, come along and watch an exciting fixture as Ogwr Hawks the WRU Female Rugby Hub - Bridgend District, & Barry Islanders u16s take on The Falcons

Electric Brewery Field - Kick off: 12pm

Wishing Mark Davey & Rod Apsee the very best of luck representing Malta 🇲🇹 tomorrow in the Men’s Conference 2025/26 Play-Off Match! 💪🏻🔰

Bridgend Athletic RFC Nathaniel Car Sales – Players Of Month Awards

Following the Glamorgan Wanderers game BARFC Head Coach presented 2nd Team Captain Charlie Ashpole with the previous Dec 2025 Generals Nathaniel Car Sales Player of Month, and 1st XV wing McKenzie Grey with the Nathaniel Car Sales 1st XV Player of April Award.

Charlie played in 13 2nd XV games scoring 3 tries leading his side to the quarter final of the Div 5 Cup with wins over Penallta, Bala and an epic 8-0 win over one of the favourites Cardiff Met – before succumbing to eventual finalists Bargoed Athletic. The team also finished 4th in their 2nd season in the National Leagues Div 6 East Central. Charlie ended the season as a regular flanker for the 1st team squad – in all making 7 appearances with 2 tries. – hence 20 senior appearances with 5 tries. He has now played 60 senior games for the Ath with 8 tries.

McKenzie had a remarkable run of 5 games from the end of March with 3 hat tricks against Ynysddu, Talywain and most important of all at the Principality Stadium Cup Final against Bedwas. These propelled him to be the 1st XV top try scorer this season with 17. He also scored 2 tries including a last-minute winner when the Ath came back from 12-38 down to win 38-40 midweek away at St Josephs. McKenzie also played twice for the Generals scoring 2 further tries and converting them. In all he has Played 28 senior games this season with 19 tries and 2 conversions for 99 points. His Ath senior career to date is Played 90 with a remarkable 48 tries and 246 points.

He thrives on chaos and has been given a free run to pop up anywhere in attack with his eye for an opening and speed to break through defences.

Bridgend Athletic RFC 17 (2T) Glamorgan Wanderers 17 (2T)

Championship East – Sat May 16th, 2026

Bridgend Athletic concluded their first season in the Championship East in a very respectable 6th place after drawing 17-17 with league runners up Glamorgan Wanderers at Brynteg.

They P24 W12 D1 L11 with 618 PF 559PA, 85 TF 70 TA and 65pts. They also reached the Championship Cup Final coming close against runaway Championship East Champions Bedwas.

The Ath were quick on the scoreboard. From an attacking Wanderers line out inside the Ath 22 scrum half Jake Williams broke into the Wanderers half inter passing with Joe Patterson and McKenzie Grey, before the Wanderers were penalised at the breakdown. Outside half Rhys Williams kicked to touch 5 metres out. Young 18 years old ho**er McKenzie Scales found Kalafi Molitika and then broke away from the driving maul with a powerful surge for his first Athletic try. Williams converted to give the Ath a 7-0 lead. The Ath backs with centres Gus Patterson and Rhydian Greenhall cutting through the Wanderers were causing problems but too often handling errors prevented the ball reaching wings McKenzie Grey and Joe Patterson. Grey was clear but fly kicked the ball into touch with the line at his mercy and an opportunity to increase his top tries tally from 17.

On the half hour flanker Rory Thomas was adjudged to have made a high tackle and was yellow carded. The Wanderers kicked the resultant penalty. The Ath pack with Matthew Norman, Scales and Matthew Greenman were an effective front row against a heavier unit. Lock Kalafi Milotika and debutant permit player Gethin Canon from Cardiff Met were excellent in the line out and loose keeping the Ath mainly on the front foot.

No 8 Dan O’Sullivan was always looking to probe with good back up from flankers Charlie Ashpole and Rory Thomas.

Jake Williams and Rhys Williams with breaks from full back Jonathan Phillips got the Ath into the Wanderers 22. The Williams pairing saw Rhys drop a neat 22 metre goal (only the 2nd this season) to give the Ath a 10-3 half time lead.

The Ath were pressing from the start of the 2nd half and in the 48th minute wing McKenzie Grey – Ath player of April - joined the mid field and broke into the Wanderers 22 and delivered a scoring pass for Jake Williams Ath Player of May to cross for his 11th try of the season to give the Ath a 17-3 lead.. Rhys Williams converted. It was McKenzie’s final play as a leg injury flared up and he was replaced by Rhys Ward Jones.

All seemed comfortable with the Ath pack and backs holding their own until the hour mark when Ath captain Jonathan Phillips upset the referee and was yellow carded. Two minutes later flanker Charlie Ashpole was judged to have deliberately knocked on and joined his captain in the sin bin. The Wanderers took advantage of the Ath being two players short creating an overlap for the wing to cross for a converted try to reduce the Ath lead to 17-10.

Prop Olly Donague came on for Matthew Norman but the move was soon reversed as Olly was adjudged to have illegally scrummaged and became the 4th Ath player to be yellow carded.

The Wanderers again created an overlap against a stretched defence, and a second converted try saw the scores level with 8 minutes remaining.

The Ath were back at full strength for the closing minutes and were back on top – but the Wanderers held out for the only drawn match for the Ath this season.

The Ath players and Coaches – Head coach Stuart Morris, Nathan Holman, player coach Jonathan Phillips and conditioning coach Mike Powell can be extremely proud of their and the team’s efforts this season.

Cup final and post cup final injuries severely hampered the Ath and a look at strength in depth will need to be addressed for next season.

Matthew Norman on 196 appearances and Tom Morgan 144 appearances are threatening retirement - maybe the chance for 200 Ath and 150Ath Apps can persuade them pull on the green and gold again after a summer’s break.

Thanks to Brynteg School -Andrew Kindom, Caretaker Brian and Admin Kirsten for facilitating the Ath’s playing at Brynteg this season. Also new club photographer Paul Harwood and all the match day helpers at Brynteg and Ath support during season 2025-2026.

The Ath senior awards presentation takes place on Sat June 6th – 4pm at BARFC clubhouse.

Please share with anyone you think will be interested! It’s on a first come basis so pay via link ASAP 🏉🔰

Squad Announcement

Following a long season that included an impressive cup run reaching Principality Stadium and numerous rescheduled matches due to weather conditions, we will be playing our final game this Saturday.

The 1st XV will face Glamorgan Wanderers RFC at Brynteg School with kickoff scheduled for 2pm.

A big thank you to Bridgend Knights for sponsoring our game.

The clubhouse will open from 12pm for pre-match drinks, followed by post-match entertainment as we celebrate the club’s achievements this season.

We invite all supporters to join us in recognising and celebrating the club’s success.

GreenAndGold