Glyncorrwg RFC are a rugby club based in the Afan Valley and have been in existence for over 140 years. Their clubhouse is not just the only pub in the village, it’s the heart of local life – hosting sports teams, craft groups, and providing a welcoming space for people of all ages. Thanks to support from Egin, the group has become a shining example of how grassroots organisations can make environmental improvements that deliver real social and financial impact.
Connecting with Egin
The group first reached out to Egin around a year ago, after hearing – by word of mouth – that there were grants available for environmental projects.
Club director Marc Morris recalls,
“We were looking to become more environmentally sustainable and saw that Egin had grants available. From the moment we got in touch, it’s been a really positive experience.”
They were matched with Egin facilitator Louisa Addiscott, who supported them through a building energy assessment, and helped the committee explore their options. They successfully secured an Egin grant and were also signposted to Coalfields Regeneration Trust for additional support.
Louisa summarised her experience:
“It was a real pleasure working with Marc at Glyncorrwg Rugby club. The focus of Egin’s support was about improving the energy efficiency of their building, which is at the heart of Glyncorrwg community and was becoming difficult to sustain financially. They received an energy audit that enabled them to better understand how to reduce their energy consumption, which would lead to reduced costs. They went on to implement many of the recommendations within the audit and secured Egin funding for solar panels. This support has enabled them to take action, making their building more resilient and enabling more activity within the community.”
The group were also referred to receive mentorship from Andrew Capel, who advised them on installing EV chargers outside the building.
As Andrew remembers,
“I was struck by how committed the club is to being of service to their local community and the keenness to remain relevant and not fade away like other similar clubs have. It has been a pleasure to share my experience with Marc knowing it would be taken seriously and acted on.”
“It’s been really good,” Marc agreed. “We’ve had mentoring, been signposted to other grants, and made a lot of changes already.”
What’s Changed for the Organisation?
The most significant practical change has been the installation of solar panels with battery storage, which has reduced the clubhouse’s energy costs substantially.
“Energy saving is the main impact. It’s saving a lot on our running costs.”
This energy independence has had wider ripple effects:
- Lower bills mean longer opening hours, especially during the winter – offering a warm, welcoming space for the community – especially to those who need it most during this cost-of-living crisis.
- Structural changes to the organisation (with help from Coalfields) allowed them to update their constitution, become a limited company, and transfer assets – all of which opened the door to more funding opportunities.
- The committee now feels more confident and less pressured, with access to expert advice on things like EV chargers and sustainability planning.
As Marc summarises, “There are people we can reach out to and ask when we have questions. It’s made a huge difference.”
What’s Changed for the Community?
The impact has gone beyond energy savings. Reduced running costs mean the pub can stay open more often, especially through the colder months. That has a real social value.
“We’re able to be open more … giving older people somewhere to come, chat and socialise.”
The group’s efforts also serve as a visible example of climate action that’s community-led and practical – showing others what’s possible at a local level.
Personal Impact
For those involved in leading the change, such as Marc, the experience has been empowering.
“I feel more confident now, knowing there’s someone out there to ask. There’s less pressure.”
A simple but powerful change – the ability to see energy savings in real-time – has made the environmental benefits tangible and rewarding:
“I’m watching the app all the time, seeing how much we’re generating.”
Most Significant Change
The committee agrees that the financial relief from lower energy costs has had the biggest impact.
“Costs for everything are spiralling. Knowing we’re not relying on gas, and that we’ve got some security – that’s huge. The environmental benefits are great too, but the main driver was financial.”
As a final reflection, Marc concluded, “The process has been brilliant – I wouldn’t change anything.”
Looking Ahead
With solar panels installed and the organisation strengthened, the team is now well-positioned to explore further sustainability projects.
Their journey shows how Egin’s support can transform not just buildings, but entire communities – helping grassroots spaces thrive while becoming more resilient to rising costs and climate change.
Comments are closed.