The Sports Club – Abertillery

The Sports Club – Abertillery.
The Sports Club, Abertillery (as seen in the main featured image above) was located at No’s 5 and 6 Carmel Street, Abertillery.

The Proposal.
A new sports club for the town was first proposed in about 1954.

Mr W. A. Rogers.
Mr W. A. Rogers was the acting secretary to the founder members of the Sports Club, Abertillery.

The Conversion.
In July 1955, work began on the conversion of the premises at Carmel Street into the new Sports Club.

An Official Statement on the Progress of the New Club.
On Friday 12th of August 1955, the South Wales Gazette reported on the progress of the new sports club and an official statement was issued and printed in the paper as follows – For many years past, the Abertillery Rugby Club has desired, like most other first-class clubs in Wales, to possess its own headquarters and club house. Following a meeting of local sportsmen it was decided that as suitable premises were available the project should be enlarged into the setting up of a sports club and headquarters to cater for all amateur sports in the district.

The objects of the club shall be to encourage the pursuit of amateur sport in Abertillery and district and for the provision of social amenities for its members including, in particular, the use of numbers 5 and 6 Carmel Street, Abertillery as a club house and training centre and for such other purposes as shall be deemed desirable from time to time by the management committee.

It will be seen from this that the new sports club will not be confined solely to members of the Abertillery Rugby Club. Members of other local rugby clubs, association clubs, tennis clubs, bowls and indeed any amateur sporting organisations will be equally welcome. The finances of the new club are and will no way be connected with Abertillery R.F.C. and it was for initial administrative purposes only that the rugby club’s officers were asked to carry out duties for the new sports club. These officers will only act for the new sports club until the first annual general meeting, which will enable the new organisation to appoint officers and committee.

It cannot be emphasised too strongly that the sports club is not intended to be a profit making organisation. When any profit becomes available, this will be devoted to providing a gymnasium and other amenities appropriate to a sports club. It is hoped that in the near future it will be possible to provide the youth of the town with a suitable place for training for their own particular sport. The acting committee trust that this statement will enable the people of Abertillery to appreciate that the purpose of the new club is to provide a first-class sporting centre and one of which the town can be justly proud.

The Official Opening.
On Tuesday 6th of March 1956, The South Wales Gazette reported on the official opening of the Abertillery Sports Club at Carmel Street. The opening ceremony was conducted by Major T. H. Vile, President of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Mr Edward George Roles.
On Friday 4th of October 1957, the South Wales Gazette reported on the death and inquest of Mr Edward George Roles aged 52, a master-builder by trade of the Kings Head Row, Abertillery. The report stated that Mr Roles was responsible for the conversion of the premises in Carmel Street which produced the Abertillery Sports Club.

Stewards and Stewardesses.
The names of the past stewards and stewardesses of the Sports Club, Abertillery will be uploaded as soon as information becomes available.

The Closure of the Sports Club.
The Abertillery Sports Club had closed in 2011, it was privately purchased and planning was applied for to make alterations to ground and first floor elevation and refurbishment. This can be seen in the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Applications – Week 33 (15th of August 2011).

The Garw.
In about 2013 the old Sports Club premises on Carmel Street, had been converted and housed a new licensed bar venue named the Garw.