THE Scarlets have said this week that they are delighted to announce that Gower MP and former Wales international Tonia Antoniazzi will join the Scarlets Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Tonia, who is Gower’s first female MP, has served at Westminster since June 2017. She was born and raised along with two brothers in Llanelli by her Welsh Mum and Welsh-Italian father who supported her love of sport from an early age.

With Welsh-Italian sporting heritage, she won nine caps for Wales as a prop playing internationally for three years as well as playing for Benetton Treviso’s women’s team in 1993-94 while studying in Venice. Her last cap as tighthead prop came in 1999. She participated in the first Women’s World Cup in 1998. From a rugby family, her brother Julian Antoniazzi played for Welsh Schools seven times in 1985.

Tonia is a passionate, lifelong Scarlets supporter after spending many years growing up supporting rugby on the terraces at Stradey Park. Alongside her international rugby career, Tonia is a graduate in French and Italian from Exeter University with a PGCE from Cardiff University, teaching in Wigan before returning home to West Wales as Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli.

Since retiring from international rugby and forging a successful political career, she is now a leading light and voice championing the growth and development of women’s and girls’ rugby across Wales, campaigning for greater equality, engagement, participation and inclusion at all levels in the game.

Scarlets are building for the future which includes a fresh focus on the girls’ and women’s game, with four players in the U18s Women’s Six Nations squad, a number of girls from the region selected for the West Wales Professional Development Centre (PDC) plus 70 girls are registered with the Scarlets’ first U17s Development Squad.

Scarlets’ Academy coaches support training and development of Celtic Challenge Cup side Brython Thunder who are based at Parc y Scarlets. Two of the region’s age-grade teams Teifi Timberwolves and Taf Valley Tigers were U16s and U18s WRU National plate winners this season. Increased demand from girls to play rugby is now being supported with 32 WRU clusters supporting players from U7s to U18s across communities in Wales.

Scarlets’ Community Foundation rugby programme also continues to go from strength-to-strength delivering wide-ranging rugby inclusion events to support social benefit across its region and engaging with more than 20,000 young people this season.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP said: “It truly is an honour and privilege for me and I am very excited to be joining the Scarlets Board. Scarlets rugby has been at the heart of my family and my upbringing and it was that love and passion for this club that led me to play for Wales. Now I am continuing to support the sport that means so much to me off the pitch.

“Rugby is ours. It’s everybody’s sport and everybody matters in our game.”

“We need a plurality of voices in Welsh rugby to take the game forward. There is a new era of rugby dawning in Wales and Scarlets rugby has a bright future within it, I want to be part of that and ensure everyone connected with our game has a voice and is well-represented.”

“I am passionate about bringing more women into the game. I feel very strongly that when I was a young girl, I had to look up to my brother – and think if he can do it I can do it. Now we can see a future in the sport for young girls to aspire to – with the likes of Alex Callender (from Llanelli), who I used to teach, coming through and winning multiple caps.

“What we need now is to engage more through the women’s and girls’ programmes into clubs to ensure we have more teams and more international players playing their rugby in Wales. When you can see it as a player, you believe you can be it. We need to show our young girls that there is a future for them in rugby in Wales.”

Scarlets Executive Chairman Simon Muderack said: “Tonia will bring valued rugby expertise, a strong voice for the women’s game and great governance leadership from her experience and knowledge across international rugby, the educational sector and her parliamentary career.

“Her energy, ambition and passion for Scarlets rugby and the women’s and girl’s game in this region is undeniable. She is a positive driving force who wants to see Scarlets and Welsh rugby thrive now and in the future and is helping spearhead a culture change throughout our game. We are delighted she is joining us at a time when we are restructuring and strengthening our business operations to meet the challenges of the future and we look forward to Tonia’s input and support.”

Tonia lives in Pontarddulais and has a son Jac who is currently studying at Cardiff University.

Milford United held a memorial football day in honour of George Davies on Sunday (May 19), who passed away on 25 November 2020. He would have turned 84 on Monday.

George Davies and his family dedicated decades of service to Milford United, and their contributions have left an indelible mark on the club. Known for his tireless promotion of the club and town, George extended his efforts throughout Pembrokeshire and Wales, especially during Milford United’s tenure in the Welsh League. In recognition of his 45 years of service, George received a Citizens Award in 2022. He was renowned for his fundraising activities and for driving the Carnival Queen float most years, serving in many roles, including club president.

The event took place at a resplendent Marble Hall, which set the stage for a memorable day of football. The match was played in three 30-minute periods, allowing managers to give ample game time to their large squads. The respect for George and the Davies family was evident, with everyone eager to participate in the George Davies memorial game. This year, Claire and Rhian from the Ladies Robins joined the teams, which were Over 25s versus Under 25s. The age contrast saw Curtis Davies at 18 and ‘Parksy’ at 57 as the oldest Over 25. Youth and experience clashed as the Over 25s took an early lead, going 2-1 up. However, the Under 25s rallied to level the score at 4-4, and the match concluded with a penalty shootout, where the Over 25s triumphed 4-3.

The day was a great success, thanks to the contributions of many. MIlford United would like to thank Jonathan, Sam, and Liam Davies for managing the Over 25s, and to Simon Rutherford, Charlie Davies, and Andrew Burgoyne for managing the Under 25s. Notably, Charlie Davies played the entire 90 minutes.

Gratitude is also extended to David Farrow for his exceptional organisation of the event, and to Scott Griffiths, Mike Barrett, Billy Raymond, Joel Codd, Steve Parks, Terry Berryman, and Andrew Burgoyne for preparing the grounds. Additionally, thanks to Mark Coaker and Ian Smith for capturing brilliant photos of the day.

The event concluded at the Milford United Sportsman Club, where Bruce, Rachel, and their team kept everyone refreshed. A special mention goes to all those who helped with the raffle.

Entertainment was provided by The Messiaens, an outstanding 8-member band and the newest sensation in Pembrokeshire. The band, comprised of talented young musicians aged 16-19, kept everyone dancing and entertained well into the evening.

This memorial day will continue to be held on the closest Saturday to George’s birthday. Next year’s event is scheduled for 17 May.

PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.

The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.

It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.

On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.

The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29^th between 10am-2pm.  

Booking for the event and swim places is required.

For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.