September 3rd marks 50 years of rugby at Broadacre, the home of Dunvant RFC. From the humble beginnings of playing at various fields in the locality leading to Dunvant Park, in 1967 the ambitious committee purchased an area of land known locally as Albert’s Bottoms from local farmer Benny James who owned Goetre Bellaf Farm, now the Broadmead estate, for the princely sum of £2,200.00, reputedly after a coin toss in a dimly lit kitchen.

After a period of fundraising activities, the clubhouse was built and opened officially in 1973, and the ground officially opened in 1975 with a match against Swansea. Dunvant were then a junior club only attaining WRU status in 1978, at the same time entering the West Wales Rugby Union. At this time the club launched junior rugby sides which are the bedrock of the club today together with a youth side providing a stream of home-grown players to the senior sides.

The playing surface which is regarded as one of the finest in Wales was developed on the advice of Dr Bill Adams from The Soils Science Department at Aberystwyth University and has stood the test of time well. Now with 3 pitches and a cricket square with over 20 teams comprising of minis, juniors, girls, youth and senior sides playing regularly, the current club members can be rightly thankful to their predecessors for their foresight in purchasing and developing the land.

The main drivers of the ambitious plan consisted of Deric Edwards, David Williams, David Vaughan, Howard Thomas and Peter Muxworthy, who together with many others all put Dunvant firmly on the map. You will note from the team of 50 years ago that many still are involved with the club today, namely Stuart Jones, Roger Slack, Bob Davies, Brian Howells, Bob Hewitt, Colin James, Eirwyn Harry, Peter Pelosi and Gary Jones and we look forward to welcoming them at next week’s match against Ammanford.