A TIDE of change is well and truly under way at a resurgent Sully Sports RFC.
Two years ago they were thrown out of the WRU league however after an appeal the club were reinstated with the proviso they fulfilled every fixture.
That season they not only did just that, they were also highly competitive, pushing league leaders Cardiff Saracens all the way in a 20-28 classic.
Head coach and former international referee Dave Bodilly explained the turn around.
New signing Rob Brett
He said: "When I arrived at the club there were several reasons for the club to be in the position it was in.
"BP RFC had been disbanded and the club had gone from running three senior sides to struggling to run one.
Luke Hudson has joined from Penarth
"The first thing we had to do was set core values, both on and off the pitch, turning up on time, playing within a structure and committing to training.
"Players would turn up at 2pm on a Saturday and be guaranteed a game. That had to change."
Hooker Mike Harkin
Results seem to suggest those core values are working.
From averaging 66 points against per game, Sully have begun climbing up the league table.
"We are continuing to work hard both on and off the pitch" Bodilly said.
Training has been geared to conform to the new restrictions, concentrating on high tempo in short bursts
"We are continuing to seek sponsorship.
"These sponsors allow us to kit out the players as looking like a team is important, it gives the players a sense of belonging.
"The sponsors also allow us to improve our facilities.
Head coach Dave Bodilly
"We have just given our changing rooms a complete overhaul and our next project is to improve our training lighting.
"I'm a big believer that professionalism is a state of mind, everything we do, we do to our best of our ability.
The club welcomes new players to join training which has now started
"This improvement has seen Sully attract several new players and the return of old ones.
"I'm delighted with the way training has gone since the return of outside activities, we've had excellent numbers and the new players have blended in very well.
"Obviously we welcome anyone to the club.
"We are between the biggest town in Wales, Barry, and Penarth, a town with a fantastic rugby history, so we hope the addition of players continue."
If you would like any information on Sully Sports RFC, contact David Bodilly on 07866 474271.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here