By Kian Monaghan
FOR an idea of what it truly means to play rugby for the famous Crawshay’s invitational side, you need only listen to the words of youth coach Jonathan Watkins.
“I always tell people the sole basis of Crawshay’s is to bring people together, who probably wouldn’t have crossed paths,” he said.
“Even when I go on social media now I see former players, committee members and supporters all engaging on the club’s page and keeping that relationship.
“When you first get on the bus to embark on tour the bus is silent, but as you’re on your way home you can’t get people to shut up, everyone over the weekend makes friends for life.”
The 2021/22 season takes Welsh Crawshay’s RFC on a celebratory journey as the club marks its 100th anniversary.
In 1922 Captain Geoffrey Crawshay was invited by the Engineer Commander of Devonport Services, SF Cooper, to assemble a team of amateur Welsh rugby union players to play against Devonport Services RFC.
He took up the invitation – and Welsh Crawshay’s RFC was born.
Since then, numerous Welsh legends have worn its jersey, including JPR Williams, Phil Bennett and Jonathan Davies.
Crawshay’s has thrived even in the professional era, and the Welsh Crawshay’s U19 XV have remained a platform for some of Wales’ most exciting youngsters to showcase their talent. A women’s XV side has also been established.
Over its proud 100 years, the club has seen many individuals volunteer their time to keep the prestigious name alive.
Jonathan Watkins is the current under-19 XV team secretary, and has been since 2014.
Watkins has been involved with current Welsh internationals such as Hallam Amos and Taine Basham, and even Italian international Stephen Varney has worn the maroon jersey.
He explained: “Hallam was first put on the club’s radar was against them when he played for Monmouth Boys school in our annual fixture, and we just had to get him involved with the club.
“And for Taine, he represented our youth side when he was just 15, and even then, you could tell he was going to be something special, even at that young age he was extremely talented and clearly gifted.
“The thing with Stephen is his family has a strong relationship with the club, his father represented and captained us at senior level. We’ve also had his brother Alex, who went on to be picked up by Cardiff Blues Academy after playing for us.”
A massive tradition for the Welsh Crawshay’s is touring, Jonathan has been on three tours, and a personal highlight was having former All Black Xavier Rush attend in a guest coaching role on their 2016 tour to Lisbon, Portugal.
“To work with a former All Black and to see how he conducted himself is a lesson and a memory I’ll never forget, he really embodied the camaraderie of the Welsh Crawshay’s,” said Watkins.