Club statement on Principality Premiership increase

Statement from Pontypool RFC Chief Executive Officer, Ben Jeffreys:

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has today notified Pontypool RFC that from the 2016/17 season, the Principality Premiership division will be increased from 12 teams up to a total of 16 with no relegation considered for three seasons.

Only clubs that are in possession of a full A Licence will be considered for promotion to the revised Principality Premiership. Pontypool RFC achieved full A Licence accreditation from the WRU prior to the commencement of the 2014/15 season and the club does not anticipate any complications in retaining its licence for the forthcoming campaign.

Pontypool RFC wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the WRU Competitions Pathway Working Group - comprising of representatives from the WRU, Pro Rugby Wales and the Principality Premiership division - for the thorough process in which they have followed to reach this conclusion.

The club is satisfied that the parameters for promotion to the Principality Premiership are clear and the decision to not introduce the new structure until the 2016/17 season is sensible.

Pontypool RFC’s objective of achieving Principality Premiership status on merit is now very much in its own hands and the club fully embraces the many challenges that the 2015/16 SSE SWALEC Championship campaign will present.

Pontypool RFC is also pleased to confirm that season ticket prices ahead of the 2015/16 SSE SWALEC Championship season remain unchanged and should the club achieve promotion to the Principality Premiership division for the 2016/17 campaign, season ticket prices will remain fixed for one campaign as a demonstration of appreciation to the supporters who have remained ever loyal to Pontypool RFC since its demotion in 2012.

On behalf of everybody at Pontypool RFC, we thank you for your exceptional commitment to the club and we hope that you will join us once again next season.