The Port Talbot Panthers was the brainchild of former Aberavon Green Stars RFC player Andrew Harris and current Team Manager. For a number of years the club had many players training and playing for their second team who had various learning difficulties and would play against already established mixed abilities teams in the Swansea Gladiators and Llanelli Warriors.
From playing in these games the idea first evolved of setting up a similar team to embrace the whole community of Neath and Port Talbot and the wider area with the aim of enabling people of various disabilities to make new friends, have fun, to participate and to be part of a wider family through sport.
From attending a mixed abilities rugby festival at the Principality Stadium in April 2019, Andrew thought that Port Talbot would be the ideal place to launch their own mixed abilities rugby team given the locality, the need, and number of rugby sides within the area. With the support of Darren Carew WRU Disability Rugby Coordinator, Joe Gage Ospreys in the Community and Michelle Lewis Neath/Port Talbot Council Physical Activity Sports Service the Port Talbot Panthers Mixed Abilities Rugby Team was created.
Andrew also met with Stuart Broad the Aberavon Quins RFC Secretary in June, 2019 in Franco’s at Aberavon Beach to discuss his thoughts and ideas with Stuart. Since that meeting Stuart has been instrumental in the setting up and formation of the new team and is currently co-captain along with John Wellington who is the team’s current oldest player at 59 years of age.
The official launch of the Port Talbot Panthers took place on Sunday 29th September, 2019 at the Aberavon Green Stars RFC. The Port Talbot Panthers hosted a festival which included a series of games against other mixed abilities rugby teams in South Wales and included the Swansea Gladiators, Llanelli Warriors, and Celtic Rail Barbarians. Since that time, The Port Talbot Panthers has grown from strength to strength, with over 50 registered players and a number of coaches and volunteers who offer further support.
People with disabilities face numerous barriers including social isolation and the Port Talbot Panthers hope and aims that by having a fully inclusive team that includes players with and without disabilities, together on one side, that they can help overcome some of these barriers. Players from the team consists of people from a variety of different backgrounds including cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida, veterans, PTSD sufferers and people with various mental health issues.
One player who is visually impaired and epitomizes what the Port Talbot Panthers represents and is a positive role model to everyone involved with the team. Jak Powles was a promising age grade international player, before being struck off his bike in a car accident at 14 years of age. After spending a few months in a coma, Jak awoke with just 5% visibility. His Father, Carl never thought Jak would ever be able to lead a normal life again, let alone play rugby. But 15 years later, the Port Talbot Panthers has given Jak the opportunity to take to the field once more, make new friends, be part of a team and to play the sport he loves.
The Port Talbot Panthers play and train out of several Port Talbot based clubs and are extremely thankful to everyone who has supported in helping and setting up of this amazing new rugby team. In addition, the Panthers are extremely grateful of the support they have had in the wider community since setting up including from former Wales and Ospreys Coach Sean Holley, former Wales and British and Irish Lions International Richard Hibbard, former Welsh international Richard Diplock, and WRU Premiership Referee Christopher Williams. Most recently the Panthers completed their first cross-border fixture, having travelled to Worcester to play their mixed ability side on the same weekend that Wales faced England in the 2020, 6 Nations Tournament and our mascot “Pinky the Panther” also attended with us. During the covid pandemic former Wales and
British and Irish Lions International Ieaun Evans also kindly came and to watch and support one of our training sessions held at Aberavon Quins RFC and gave everyone a big lift.
The Port Talbot Panthers women’s section has also grown in a short period of time with a number of women who have also joined the club in different roles. The Port Talbot Panthers also regularly train with Talbot Reds who are Port Talbot’s sole female rugby team and hope to develop even closer links in the future to further grow the sport and increase participation in the community.
The Port Talbot Panthers are currently seeking sponsorship to help support the team. In the future there is hope to set up a project to support many of their players and the wider community to help people gain confidence and new skills to support them with their emotional well-being, life skills, into employment, training and volunteering. In the future they are also hoping to set up “Panther Cubs” projects for children and young people in the community as well to further support children and young people of all abilities.
In addition, the Port Talbot Panthers hope to support charities in the local community and other good causes. Since being formed they have already donated food to the housing charity Dewis, helped raise money for MIND, and have helped to support the #AllForAoife fundraising appeal which was screened on BBC Scrum V. The Panthers have also completed a walk with the charity Mal’s Marauders and helped in raising awareness of mental health.
The Panthers are always looking for players and volunteers of all abilities and if anybody would like to get involved then please message us on our facebook page Port Talbot Panthers we would love to hear from you!
The motto of the Panthers epitomizes what the team stands for ... #Rugby4Everyone
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