A RUGBY club in Penarth is celebrating 100 years - and counting.

Old Penarthians RFC was established in 1924, and started celebrating its centenary year in September 2023.

The club hosted a club dinner in a marquee with Welsh rugby legends Gerald Davies and Gareth Edwards alongside sports broadcast Phil Steele.

Tony Crimp, club present said: “We started our celebrations in September with a dinner at the club in a marquee, the present of the WRU Gerald Davies was in attendance along with Gareth Edwards and his wife.

“Phil Steele hosted the event, so that was a very successful start to our celebrations, we are then going during the year to present caps for several appearances over the years. We are coming up to the Easter break where the club is celebrating the first team having a team of 15 playing Welsh academicals.

Penarth Times: Phil Steele hosted the event in September. Picture: Old Penarthians RFCPhil Steele hosted the event in September. Picture: Old Penarthians RFC (Image: Old Penarthians RFC)“The youth team will be playing the Crawshaw’s team, while the women’s team will be playing local rivals Llandaff North which will all be over the "aster weekend.”

The club will end its nine-month celebrations with a Centenary Celebration Ball on Saturday, June 24 at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Old Penarthians RFC now has 350 mini and juniors, alongside the senior, youth, and women’s teams.

Mr Crimp told the Penarth Times that at the start of the season, his nephew Steffan Crimp was called up to USA U20s and Georgia Morgan from the women’s team was selected for Wales U18s.

He added: “Last season we had two players from the mini and juniors’ section who received international honours.

Penarth Times: 300 plus caps: Mike Matthews (301), Robert Young (302), Nick Chandler (308), Lee Brennan (324), Allen Evans (350), Neil Orpin (352), Tony Kemp (358), Tony Crimp (379). Picture: Old Penarthians RFC300 plus caps: Mike Matthews (301), Robert Young (302), Nick Chandler (308), Lee Brennan (324), Allen Evans (350), Neil Orpin (352), Tony Kemp (358), Tony Crimp (379). Picture: Old Penarthians RFC (Image: Old Penarthians RFC)“Georgia Morgan played for Wales under 18s last season, and Steffan Crimb played for the USA under 20s. It's fantastic for him and the family and great to have the recognition, he's currently playing for the Cardiff Met rugby team which has a high standard.

“If players go on to play for Wales that’s a bonus for our club, but what we try and do as a community club is provide rugby for all kids and we are proud to produce the next generation of rugby players as we have been for the past 100 years.”