Brecon RFC is proving that a local sports club can be both ambitious and deeply rooted in its community.

I visited Parc De Pugh at the weekend and spoke with club chair Angharad Woodland.

Popping down as a spectator is one thing, but peeking behind the curtain and seeing firsthand the dedication of volunteers who keep the club running week in, week out was genuinely inspiring. That commitment is a common theme at sports clubs across Brecon and Radnorshire, and indeed across Wales.

From minis sessions to senior fixtures, it’s clear the club pulses with energy.

Angharad spoke about how the club nurtures homegrown talent. “Our players come through the youth system and see a clear pathway to senior rugby,” she said. “It’s about giving them a place to grow, play, and belong.”

Our chat also turned to sustainability and forward planning. Solar panels on the pavilion roof are already cutting energy costs, with further renewable projects planned for the listed clubhouse.

With more than 1,200 members, including hundreds of children, Brecon prides itself as a hub for the community.

Angharad explained: “We want people to feel part of the club - there is a role for everyone.”

Behind the scenes, keeping a club of this size running takes a careful balancing act. Match fees for senior players go towards travel and kit, but Brecon doesn’t operate like a professional team.

“People hear 'match fees' and think they're getting a salary - it’s just not like that,” Angharad said. “Our players train twice a week, travel for matches, and juggle work or study on top of that. The fees are just to help with expenses - to recognise the commitment they make.”

She explained that Brecon’s approach is rooted in community rugby. “We have a very committed group of sponsors who ring-fence money for players’ expenses. A match fee is less than £100, which helps with petrol, boots, and travel - but it doesn’t cover everything.

“Look at the price of petrol today - it all costs money. You can't do that as a student unless somebody subs you. You just can't. So when people talk about paying players, we're not paying like the regions do. It's not their job. But what we do is put something aside for them so that they get some money to cover their costs. I'm pretty sure that what we do - even the most money we pay out - it doesn't cover the commitments.”

That sense of responsibility extends across the club. From mini and junior rugby to senior squads, there is a structured pathway that allows young players to grow and progress.

“I think in our last three games, we had a minimum of 8 or 9 local players who came right through our minis and juniors to play in the Premiership,” she said.

“When I became chair, one of my aims was to ensure there was a place for everyone - players, volunteers, families - at every stage,” explained Angharad. “Even after people stop playing, they often stay involved on committees or helping out. That’s what community rugby is about.”

Brecon also takes sustainability seriously. Solar panels on the pavilion roof have already saved the club around £1,000 a month, and further renewable projects and grant options are being discussed for the listed clubhouse just up the road. “We’re looking to future-proof the club, so it remains financially sustainable for decades to come,” Angharad said.

The club is run by a capable 14-member committee with individual responsibilities and expertise, with a focus on transparency and planning. It has hosted a wide range of events, from birthday parties and weddings to Slimming World sessions, in addition to - of course - rugby matches and training sessions.

Angharad added: “We’ve never not paid our bills, but I want to leave us completely financially sustainable and make sure we’re able keep the showers on and put the floodlights on whenever we want.”

To get involved with the club, in any capacity, pop down to Parc De Pugh and say hello over a cup of coffee or alternatively reach out to the team via the club’s email address, which is: [email protected]