Club History
Founded in April 2003, Torfaen Tigers joined the Welsh Rugby League Conference. Coached by Kevin Weaver and supported by a number of local Rugby Union players and enthusiasts who enjoyed the game normally associated with those from " Up North ", many were surprised how well the club adapted to the new code. In their inaurgural year, the Tigers enjoyed some considerable success, finishing 3rd. in the Welsh League and reaching the final of the Great Britain Amateur knockout plate competition. One of its players, Damien Hudd, also ended a terrific season by playing for Wales and gaining International honours a amateur level.
2004 saw the Tigers consolidate its position within the Welsh League, again proving to be very competitive against the leagues top teams of Aberavon Fighting Irish and Bridgend Blue Bulls, and reached the semi-final of the Harry Jepson Trophy. In particular 2004 saw a number of players earn representative honours, with 7 players from the club being picked to play in the Amateur International Rugby League Tournament where the Welsh side retained the Triple Crown.
In 2005 the Tigers got off to a slow start, but as new young players grew in confidence the team's results improved. The second half of the season saw the Tigers become the 1st. Welsh side to beat the Bridgend Blue Bulls since the league had been formed, and continueing success saw them go on to beat Aberavon Fighting Irish to earn them a place in the Welsh Grand Final for the 1st. time in the clubs short history. Against the holders Bridgend, The Tigers got off to a good start and lead for much of the first half, but Bridgend dug deep and battled back to run out worthy winners to retain their title. From a slow start to the season, the teams performance at the end of 2005 turned out to be probably the best club has produced since being formed.
Well what will 2006 bring ? Once again the Tigers campaign will be based at Pontypool United RFC, but a number of changes are in the pipeline for the new season. The league structure will change with the introduction of 3 new sides, Blackwood Bulldogs, West Wales Sharks, and a side from the LLanelli area, reported to be The Pembrokeshire Panthers ! The club has gained a new main sponsor in Adrian Waters, of AP Waters General Builders, a new physio, Ian Jayne, and a new coach, Gareth " Boxhead " Davies who is busy planning the clubs campaign strategy. In all it promises once again to be an exciting season, and one thing that will not change is The Tigers enthusiasm to rise to the challenge any team offers, and to continue to strive to raise its standards !