Leaving Wales doesn’t mean leaving Wales behind: Giving back to Blaenau Gwent

Like many people who leave Wales, I assumed that although I lived elsewhere, my relationship with home had become part of my past. I was born in Abergavenny and brought up in Blaina, but after leaving for university during Blaina RFC's centenary season in 1975, I travelled, worked abroad and eventually settled in Oxfordshire. Apart from occasional visits, mostly for rugby matches and family funerals, I never returned to live in Wales. Yet Wales has never left me.

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"My renewed connection with Blaina came through an unexpected source - GlobalWelsh. A conversation with Walter May reminded me that leaving Wales does not mean leaving behind a responsibility to contribute to its future."

My renewed connection with Blaina came through an unexpected source - GlobalWelsh. A conversation with Walter May reminded me that leaving Wales does not mean leaving behind a responsibility to contribute to its future. More importantly, it highlighted the extraordinary potential of the Welsh diaspora. Across the world are millions of people whose experience, knowledge and networks could make a real difference to communities back home if stronger connections were created and fostered.

That conversation prompted me to look again at my own roots. It made me realise how much Blaina had shaped me and how much I still owed the community that had given me so much.

Growing up in Blaina, my childhood was defined by its friendships, community spirit and the values that shaped the town. At the heart of that experience was Blaina RFC, a grass-roots rugby club that embodied the resilience, pride and identity of a community built on coal mining, ironmaking and mutual support. I was fortunate to witness the club's centenary celebrations and some unforgettable giant-killing victories before leaving Wales.

The fifty years between the club's centenary and its recent 150th anniversary have brought enormous change. Like many former industrial communities, Blaenau Gwent has faced significant economic and social challenges. Yet its strong sense of identity has endured.

That resilience is reflected in the remarkable revival of Blaina RFC. After many years in the rugby wilderness, the club has fought its way back, culminating in an extraordinary 150th anniversary season. It won a Welsh Cup title after a dramatic televised final at the Principality Stadium, claimed the league championship on the final day of the season, and secured promotion for the third consecutive year.

"That is why GlobalWelsh matters. It reminds those of us living elsewhere that we remain part of Wales' story."

Returning to witness that success, and seeing the pride it generated throughout the town, convinced me that I wanted to give something back. My company, ship.energy, is now proud to sponsor the Blaina RFC rugby jerseys. It is a modest contribution, but one that allows me to support an institution that played such an important role in my childhood.

The club's achievements represent far more than sporting success. They reflect the leadership, commitment and volunteer spirit that continue to sustain community rugby across Wales. They also show that the qualities which have always defined Blaina - determination, resilience and ambition - remain as strong as ever. At a time when former mining communities are too often associated with decline, Blaina RFC tells a far more hopeful story of achievement, confidence and community pride.

I hope the club's success proves symbolic of a wider revival across Blaina and Blaenau Gwent. Regeneration cannot depend solely on government policy or public investment. It also depends on people - those who stayed and those who moved away - finding ways to reconnect with the places that shaped them.

That is why GlobalWelsh matters. It reminds those of us living elsewhere that we remain part of Wales' story. My own experience shows how quickly a dormant connection can become active again when people are encouraged to rediscover their roots and consider how they can contribute.

"My company, ship.energy, is now proud to sponsor the Blaina RFC rugby jerseys. It is a modest contribution, but one that allows me to support an institution that played such an important role in my childhood."

Fifty years after leaving Blaina, I have found my way back by becoming involved again. If more members of the Welsh diaspora are inspired to do the same, the benefits will extend far beyond rugby. Communities like Blaina have always been built on resilience, pride and mutual support. With those qualities, and with the support of people who still care deeply about where they came from, they can build an even stronger future.

Thank you, GlobalWelsh, for the nudge!

Read Llewellyn's story here >>