The Ospreys and Swansea Council have moved forward with plans to redevelop St Helen’s ahead of next season
An agreement has been reached to redevelop St Helen’s ahead of next season(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
As the sun briefly disappeared behind a cloud at St Helen’s on Wednesday afternoon, hail started to pelt the handful of Ospreys players gathered on the pitch.
It lasted only for a minute or two, replaced by swirling winds. Three seasons in one afternoon – a taste of what is to come for the Ospreys next season in their new Swansea home.
Of course, in Welsh rugby terms, the storm has far from passed. What happens next, largely, still remains unclear.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s plan is still to get to three teams. The path – with legal action, an extraordinary general meeting and ownership changes scattered across it – isn’t obvious by any means.
It’s difficult to tell what the agreement for the Ospreys to play at St Helen’s from next season meana for their long-term existence.
On Wednesday, proposals were passed at a meeting of Swansea Council’s cabinet. The agreement is part of a joint investment between the club and local authority to redevelop the famous old venue to host Ospreys, Swansea RFC and community clubs from September.
Up until now, the council had refused to release the full funding to redevelop the ground unless the Ospreys’ future is guaranteed. That changed this week, with the council joining forces with the Ospreys to push ahead with redeveloping the plan.
After months of angry exchanges between Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, senior Ospreys and Y11 figures, and the Welsh Rugby Union, it’s quite a turnaround.
“It’s a big announcement,” said Ospreys director Roger Blyth. “It’s a big statement from the council with how they value rugby in this area.
“That’s not just about the Ospreys, but the community and the grassroots. Bare in mind, we should have been in here last December.
“But for the trials and tribulations of Welsh rugby, which started last April. But finally, without anything definitive being decided on the future of Welsh rugby which is an ongoing saga, they want to get things moving.
“They’ve shown their true intent, which is showing how much they value rugby in the area.”
The sense is that any sort of movement, amid the inertia of Welsh rugby, is welcomed by the Ospreys. Some positive news amongst the gloom, a little glimmer of certainty where so often there is none.
The players were told the good news by CEO Lance Bradley on Monday. “Lance came in to an admin meeting to let us know before it went live,” said No. 8 Morgan Morris. “Everyone is pretty happy with what we’ve heard.
“It’s a super exciting announcement for us as a club, but also for the community. And for me as a Swansea boy, it’s such an exciting time for everyone.
“100 per cent, with all the craziness of the last year, to have that little bit of certainty going forward in the future is so important for us as a club, but also for our fanbase and us as players.
“It’s exciting to have a permanent home base for us. The Brewery Field has been awesome for us. As a Swansea boy, this is awesome for me.”
Bradley, who has stepped away from the spotlight in recent months, was at the ground on Wednesday.
So too was Stewart, despite the pair being unlikely sparring partners over minutes from a recent meeting. The Swansea Council leader reiterated that “Welsh rugby cannot afford to lose the Ospreys” as he explained the investment.
The club hold a similar sentiment. In short, they intend to fight for their existence to the very end.
“People come here and can’t believe it,” added Blyth. “We always seem to be the target of it.
“We’ve won four titles and provided more Welsh internationals than anyone else. We always seem to be that.
“I suppose we can be belligerent. We don’t shout too much. But if we see an injustice, we call it out.
“We firmly believe we are absolutely essential to Welsh rugby. You see the council’s involvement.
“They’re injecting £5m into Welsh rugby. That’s a pretty big statement. We’re confident of the role we want to play going forward in Welsh rugby.
“Looking at it historically, we’ve produced players and we’ve won trophies. We’ve proven on and off the field we’re doing our bit.
“We are very confident, with the backing of the council and this now being our home ground, that we can take things forward.
“Obviously, we are frustrated with the lack of progress in deciding which direction Welsh rugby should take. I should emphasise that, far from being against change, we’re all for change.
“But what we want to make sure if that it’s the right change. So far, we can never get to the crux of what it will look like.
“That’s the frustrating thing for us. We’re after the right change. We firmly believe the Ospreys should be a part of Welsh rugby going forward.
“Everyone talks about how many teams, but they don’t talk about what the actual plan is. It’s gone from four to two to three. But let’s talk about the actual plan and how the money is going to be spent. At one point, there was only money for two teams, now it’s three.
“It just goes on for ever and ever. We applaud the council because actions speak louder than words. They’re putting their money where their mouth is.
“They’re showing what rugby means to this area. There’s no better testament than showing that by backing the Ospreys and backing the community.”
Privately, the Ospreys are confident about their financial standing right now. They believe, on that front, they are sound.
Their owners, Y11, have until April 22 to negotiate a takeover of Cardiff – with their period of exclusivity having been extended by the WRU.
Who knows what twists and turns are yet to come. But compared to what has come before, the mood music seems to have changed just a little.
