SOUTH ALLIANCE FOOTBALL LEAGUE www.southwalesallianceleague.co.uk

SWAL NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2021

FAW - INFORMATION

RETURN TO PLAY UPDATE

The FAW have issued an update however it is detailed and therefore its not going to be copied ad verbatim on here - but for those who wish to review it is available on the FAWs’ website

However it was announced by the Welsh Government on Friday 4 June 2021, there is an increase in the number of people permitted to attend outdoor regulated events as and from 7 June 2021 the following will apply:

FAW Return to Play Protocol updates www.faw.cymru/en/covid-19/

As a result, the FAW has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to answer any queries as to what this will mean for the return of spectators to Welsh football grounds. www.faw.cymru/en/news/update-return-spectators/

FAW TIER 4 APPLICATIONS

The FAW Tier 3 First Instance Body met, on the 11 May, to consider the Tier 3 Licensing Applications for the 2021/22 season. Clubs were assessed against a number of infrastructure and personnel criteria and is mandatory for any clubs to participate at Tier 3 - the Ardal Leagues - of the Welsh Football Pyramid for the 2021/22 season. Three SWAL clubs were successful in their application for a Tier 3 licence: ● Town ● Baglan Dragons ● Porthcawl Town On behalf of the SWAL we congratulate them on their successful applications contentfaw.aws-skybrid.co.uk/fles/8516/2075/1551/Tier_3_FAW_Club_Licensing_Decisions_2021.pdf JD WELSH CUP & FAW AMATEUR TROPHY DRAWS made on Friday 11th June 2021 GAMES CONCERNING SWAL CLUBS

JD Welsh Cup FAW Amateur Trophy Qualifying Round 1 Round 1

Aber Valley v Tredegar Town Aberdare Town v Butchers Arms FC Aberdare Town v Royal Stars AFC Llwydcoed v AFC Aberfan v Vale United AFC Whitchurch v Canton Liberal Penrhiwceiber v Penrhiwceiber Rangers Baglan Dragons v Llangynwyd AFC v Maesteg Park Rangers Baili Glas v Cwmbach Royal Stars Baglan Dragons v FC Porthcawl Caerphilly Athletic v Cardiff Airport v Albions Canton Rangers v Avenue Hotspur Canton Rangers v Aberystwyth Exiles Cardiff Corinthians v Clwb Cymric Cardiff Airport v Cardiff Draconians Cardiff Cosmopolitan v Cathays Cons AFC Cardiff Corinthians v Canton Liberal Cefn Cribwr v Croeserw Athletic Clwb Cymric v Bridgend Street Docks Albion v Sully Sports Docks Albion v AFC Whitchurch Fairwater FC v Ely Rangers Fairwater FC v Ely Rangers FC v BGC FC Garw SBGC v Ton & Gelli BGC Porthcawl v Tata Steel United Merthyr Saints v AFC Llwydcoed Garw SBGC v Maesteg Park G FC v Cefn Cribwr Grange Albion v Grange Allstars Porthcawl Town Athletic v CRC Olympic Nelson Cavaliers v Aber Valley FC St Albans FC v Chepstow Town FC Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Aberfan FC Ton v Pencoed Athletic Porthcawl Town Athletic v Pencoed Athletic Treharris Athletic Western v FC Cwmaman Tiger Bay FC v Bridgend Street Trethomas Bluebirds v Caerphilly Athletic Ton & Gelli v AFC Porth Ynysddu Welfare v FC v Pontyclun Treharris Athletic Western v Merthyr Saints T Vale United v Bettws FC Ynyshir Albions v Blaenrhondda Matches to be played 10 July 2021 Matches to be played 17 July 2021

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It fnally feels like football is almost - almost - back and we are getting everything prepared for the new season. This season will fnally have the FAW’s COMET system fully in use which will be a steep learning curve for many - including us! We just hope the virus continues in remission in Wales so we can get back to competitive football. COMET is not the only change this season are you aware that, with the new 4 Ardal Leagues replacing the former Welsh League Divisions 1 & 2, that the SWAL Premier League is now Tier 4? Likewise Divisions 1 and 2 become Tiers 5 & 6 respectively

INFORMATION TO COME Coming out over the next few weeks, and in readiness for the 2021-22 season, the SWAL will be emailing out to clubs and match ofcials: ● Updated SWAL Rules ● COMET Matchday guides for Clubs and Referees ● SWAL Guidance & Advice for Clubs and Referees ● Match Confrmation proformas All will be also be available on the SWAL website under the Information / Downloads tab

PROVISIONAL FIXTURES July 2021 fxtures are being provisionally drafted however until the Welsh Government and the FAW give the go ahead for competitive football to start on 3rd July. We aim to issue draft provisional fxtures WC 21 June to try to pre-plan. The next Welsh Government review is due on 25th June which will only leave clubs a weeks’ notice but, hopefully, things may be clearer as the month goes on.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES Updated lists of pre-season friendlies will be posted on the SWAL website on Fridays and scores will be updated as and when we’re told of the results. www.southwalesallianceleague.co.uk/

A more formal scores round-up is available in the Information pages www.southwalesallianceleague.co.uk/downloads/inter-club-results

APPs Have you all downloaded the new CYMRU FOOTBALL app yet? Details are in later in this the Newsletter along with another couple of football apps

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LLANTWIT FARDRE FC are looking for a new 1st team manager for the upcoming season. If anyone is interested please contact Club Secretary Steve Holt Email: [email protected] Tel: 07742646054

⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ TWO LONG SERVING SECRETARIES HAVE LEFT THEIR ROLES WITH SWAL CLUBS NEIL CLANCY TO STEP DOWN AS CLUB SECRETARY AFTER 21 YEARS

Merthyr Saints Football Club announce with regret that Neil Clancy will be stepping down from his role at the club. Clancy has fulfilled several roles during his 21 years at the Saints. He started his journey in football as a junior at St.Illtyds, before returning as a senior player later on in his career in 1987. Initially Neil started Merthyr Saints bringing the former side of St.Illtyds to the ICI facility all those years ago. His beloved St.Illtyds formed with Ron Jones' Hoover Sports created Merthyr Saints in 2000, from there Neil would go on to have another 21 successful years involved with football in Merthyr. We hope Neil remembers to leave his pump behind!

For the past 21 years Clancy has made the role of Club Secretary look easy, it is going to be impossible to replace his experience and quality in this area. Rhys Llewellyn - 1st Team Manager: "This is a tough loss for football in Merthyr Tydfil, People like Neil are the glue to keeping football in the running. His commitment for 21 years is unbelievable, Id like to thank Clancy for the role he has played at the club and for giving me this opportunity. www.merthyrsaintsfc.com

ANDY JONES LEAVES TON & GELLI BGC SECRETARY ROLE AFTER 8 YEARS

Ton & Gelli BGC regretfully announce that Andrew Jones has stepped down from his Role as Secretary at the club. We have been very grateful for Andrew’s contribution since he took over the role nearly 8 years ago, in his time seeing a change in structure and formation of the Alliance League, seeing and contributing hugely towards the team getting successfully promoted back to the Premier division, and helping out alongside a couple of different managers during this spell.

However it wasn’t just his role as Secretary that we are grateful for, he spent many an hour in his spare time looking after and helping with the up keep of Ynys Park ensuring that the teams who use it had a top quality home venue. Andy has done a fantastic, sometimes thankless job as Secretary over the last few years. There are more and more pressures coming from any volunteer roles within amatuer football and we will definitely miss Andrew’s contribution. Hopefully we will see him from time to time watching at home games, by again would like to place on record a huge thank you from everyone involved in the current set up. In October 2014 Andy was the FAW Community Awards winner in the People’s Award category in the annual grassroots football awards which recognised the tireless dedication he has shown to keep Ton & Gelli Boys and Girls Football Club on the pitch. More next month…… ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ SWAL GROUNDS There are new grounds this season within the SWAL and some major ground improvements - these will be covered throughout the season. However to start, and with the 2020-21 season cancelled, we didn’t get to see 2 of the new league’s venues - both stadiums and both long-standing grounds. PARK, ABERDARE

Aberaman Park is the home ground of Aberdare Town - one they are very proud of and with excellent facilities that have been developed over the last decade. There are two car parks, two turnstiles, a refreshment hut, 270 seater stand, licenced club house and a floodlighting system that was up to UEFA standards when they were installed. The entire ground is enclosed following the installation of a new fence in 2020 and further upgrades are planned, especially within the club house itself. The club has BT Sport and shows as many of the matches as possible including the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Their facilities are available to hire for private parties so please contact us for availability and pricing by emailing [email protected]

JENNER PARK, BARRY

Jenner Park, Barry, known as the traditional home of Barry Town United, it is now the shared ground with Cardiff Airport.

Named after the Jenner family who had gifted the land, the ground was built by the Barry football enthusiasts for their representative side to compete at the highest possible level and the opening fixture in the 1913–14 season. During the 1980s, the local council rebuilt Jenner Park, installing a synthetic running track, a new all-seater stand and improved floodlights. In order to bring Jenner Park up to UEFA standards, a second covered stand was built in the mid 1990s and now has a capacity for 6,000 spectators. In 2015 a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch was installed and it is ranked as the 15th largest Welsh stadium. ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ FOOTBALL APPs FOR THIS SEASON

CYMRU FOOTBALL The FAW’s COMET app for everyone. Includes fxtures, scores, goal updates, match incidents, teamsheets and more!

Please note: This is not to be confused with the My Comet app which is the match reporting app.

Futbology An app that allows you you register the grounds you visit. At present it only includes the SWAL Premier Division clubs.

https://www.facebook.com/FutbologyApp/ https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=473336583171502

Laws of the Game Fifa’s fully comprehensive guide to the Laws.

However it may be worth waiting until the app is updated for 2021-2022 changes

The FAW & SWAL urges everyone to follow the Welsh Government guidelines during the lockdown to limit the spread of COVID-19. gov.wales/local-lockdown www.faw.cymru/en/covid-19/

At his present time it is important for everyone to stay safe!

If anyone has any suggestions or for the Newsletter please let me know