Leicester Tigers supporters, coaches and officials shared in an "amazing day" at Ystradgynlais RFC in south Wales on their way to the European Rugby Champions Cup match against Scarlets.
Ystradgynlais, the hometown club of Owen Williams, received more than 100 people from Leicester as they celebrated Welsh Tigers Day and the launch of the Welsh Branch of the Tigers Supporters Club ahead of the big game.
They were joined by the Leicester Tigers Away Supporters Club and Tigers coaches and staff, as well as fans who travelled independently.
The visitors were able to watch the Ystradgynlais second XV in action on the pitch while off the field the club laid on a welcome buffet for their visitors, there was music from a Welsh choir and Williams’ sister Ffion played the harp in the main room of the clubhouse while demand for refreshments saw the club run out of Guinness!
Community coach Dan Thacker ran coaching clinics for young players, who were able to sign up to the Junior Tigers Club and receive a gift bag containing a Tigers flag, match programme and a #Tigersfamily wristband.
“It was an amazing day for us,” said event organiser Andrew Lloyd Hughes. “To see more than 100 people from Leicester in their Tigers jerseys enjoying in our clubhouse was quite surreal.
“The kids loved the coaching clinic laid on by the Tigers. We had Tigers rugby videos playing all day, Owen Williams' sister Ffion playing the harp, and the Welsh choir went down a storm too.
"Above all though, it was the supporters and the great people of Leicester who made this a special day to remember.
“Not only did they sing our Welsh hymn Bread of Heaven when we launched the Welsh Tigers Supporters Club, but they will also be remembered for being the first ever group to visit Ystradgynlais and drink the bar out of our entire supply of Guinness. They'll be welcome back for sure after that performance!"
Ystradgynlais have built a relationship with the Tigers, with young members becoming regular visitors to Welford Road matchdays. Players from Welsh club also travelled to Gloucester earlier this season to support the Tigers in Aviva Premiership action and met some of their favourite players after the match.
And when the European Rugby Champions Cup draw paired the Scarlets with the Tigers, the game at Parc y Scarlets provided the perfect opportunity for Tigers fans to make their own visit.
Tigers presented their hosts with a plaque for being a Group Days Top Club, and there was a presentation by the Away Supporters Club too, and in turn Tigers received a plaque from Ystradgynlais to mark the occasion.
John Griffiths, chairman of the Tigers Away Supporters Club, said: “The people of Ystradgynlais were wonderful, they looked after us really well and made everyone feel welcome. We had a lovely time.
“We got there at around 1pm and left at 5.30pm when we had to drag people out.
“I am sure Tigers have made a lot of friends.”
Ystradgynlais will take advantage of a Group Days offer when they return to Welford Road for a Matchday Coaching Clinic at the Aviva Premiership game against London Welsh in April.
Click here for more information on Group Days or contact the Group Days team on 0116 319 8888 (option 2).
Ystradgynlais, the hometown club of Owen Williams, received more than 100 people from Leicester as they celebrated Welsh Tigers Day and the launch of the Welsh Branch of the Tigers Supporters Club ahead of the big game.
They were joined by the Leicester Tigers Away Supporters Club and Tigers coaches and staff, as well as fans who travelled independently.
The visitors were able to watch the Ystradgynlais second XV in action on the pitch while off the field the club laid on a welcome buffet for their visitors, there was music from a Welsh choir and Williams’ sister Ffion played the harp in the main room of the clubhouse while demand for refreshments saw the club run out of Guinness!
Community coach Dan Thacker ran coaching clinics for young players, who were able to sign up to the Junior Tigers Club and receive a gift bag containing a Tigers flag, match programme and a #Tigersfamily wristband.
“It was an amazing day for us,” said event organiser Andrew Lloyd Hughes. “To see more than 100 people from Leicester in their Tigers jerseys enjoying in our clubhouse was quite surreal.
“The kids loved the coaching clinic laid on by the Tigers. We had Tigers rugby videos playing all day, Owen Williams' sister Ffion playing the harp, and the Welsh choir went down a storm too.
"Above all though, it was the supporters and the great people of Leicester who made this a special day to remember.
“Not only did they sing our Welsh hymn Bread of Heaven when we launched the Welsh Tigers Supporters Club, but they will also be remembered for being the first ever group to visit Ystradgynlais and drink the bar out of our entire supply of Guinness. They'll be welcome back for sure after that performance!"
Ystradgynlais have built a relationship with the Tigers, with young members becoming regular visitors to Welford Road matchdays. Players from Welsh club also travelled to Gloucester earlier this season to support the Tigers in Aviva Premiership action and met some of their favourite players after the match.
And when the European Rugby Champions Cup draw paired the Scarlets with the Tigers, the game at Parc y Scarlets provided the perfect opportunity for Tigers fans to make their own visit.
Tigers presented their hosts with a plaque for being a Group Days Top Club, and there was a presentation by the Away Supporters Club too, and in turn Tigers received a plaque from Ystradgynlais to mark the occasion.
John Griffiths, chairman of the Tigers Away Supporters Club, said: “The people of Ystradgynlais were wonderful, they looked after us really well and made everyone feel welcome. We had a lovely time.
“We got there at around 1pm and left at 5.30pm when we had to drag people out.
“I am sure Tigers have made a lot of friends.”
Ystradgynlais will take advantage of a Group Days offer when they return to Welford Road for a Matchday Coaching Clinic at the Aviva Premiership game against London Welsh in April.
Click here for more information on Group Days or contact the Group Days team on 0116 319 8888 (option 2).
