Y GOGs – a short history of large men and a few women
Y GOGs (Geriatrics o Gymru – Geriatrics from Wales in the Welsh language, we use Y GOGs always and never the English version) were formed in 1993 to attend the International Golden Oldies Festival in Dublin, and since then have travelled the world enjoying the Fun, Friendship and Fraternity and the occasional pint which Oldies Rugby is all about.
Our home is at Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon (Caernarfon R.F.C.) who play in the National League Division 4 North.
Caernarfon is in North West Wales and is a small town of around 10,000 people, 87% of which speak the Welsh language, making it the the strongest area in the world for this historic language.
Our players are mostly late 40’s, mostly 50’s and a few Zimmer frames in their 60’s. We do not have any famous names on our players list but, Brynmor Williams, Gareth Davies and Jonathan Davies have all been asked to come for a trial and haven’t yet refused!
Y GOGs are the only team from Wales to represent Wales and attend these festivals. Team members have varied carers such as; International Art Dealers, Prime Ministers, Counterfeiters, Teddy Bear Producers, Drug Barons and Dentists.
Since 1993 Y GOGs have attended the International Golden Oldies Festival in:
1995 – Christchurch – New Zealand
1997 – Vancouver – Canada
1999 – Cape Town – South Africa
2001 – Toulouse – France
2003 – Brisbane – Australia
And
2004 – Benidorm – Spain – – EGOR (European Golden Oldies Rugby) Festival.
2006 – Zurich – Switzerland EGOR – Winners of the ‘Battered Relic Cup’ for the Team which reflects the Sprit of the Festival.
In June of 2007 we will be holding the second GWYL Y GOGs (GOGS Festival) and hope to have 8 teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Wales of course taking part.
This event will be a precursor to the 2010 European Festival which Y GOGs will be applying for in the next few weeks.