Colwyn Bay Rugby Club Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay

Tackling smoking
…at Colwyn Bay Rugby Club

There are always a few battles on the rugby pitch, but Colwyn Bay Rugby Club deserves a trophy for its achievements off the field. The club’s voluntary smoking ban came into force on August 1st mainly to provide a healthier environment at the club not only for the players, staff and members but most importantly for the thriving junior section at the club. Running out of puff before the try line should now be a thing for the past for club members.

Colwyn Bay Rugby fields a 1st team which plays in WRU Division Four (North Wales) and a 2nd team which competes in the North East Counties League. The club also has a successful youth squad and a vibrant and growing Mini, Junior and Mermaids girls’ team.

Prior to the voluntary ban, smoking was allowed in the bar but following consultation with club members who inputted their views on the ban, the club put a notice on their website about the proposed plans.

Chairman of Colwyn Bay RFC, Bill Atwill, said, “Our club rooms are used by rugby players and their families and we wanted to provide a healthy environment for everyone to enjoy. We don’t want the kids to be in a smoky atmosphere and we don’t want to encourage them to smoke either. It’s no longer acceptable to most people to have to put up with breathing in second hand smoke and banning smoking was the only way forward to a healthier future here at the club.”