Thought this would be of interest to anybody who has or had the honour to represent the CIACs,

by Alan Robertson 22nd July 2009



I recently returned from South Africa where I had a short holiday with my son. We were based in Cape Town at the time of the British Lions tour to South Africa. During our stay we made a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent most of his jail sentence along side many other political prisoners.

On my return I read in the South Wales Echo that Mr Hanef Bhamjee O.B.E. was to travel to South Africa to receive the prestigious “Mahatma Ghandi” award for reconciliation and peace. When we were on Robben Island we met a former political prisoner who knew Hanef and his work, he was now acting as a tour guide and indeed lived on the island, and was a former member of the banned Pan African congress.

I explained to him that I had met Hanef Bhamji on a few occasions over the years and was well aware of the work he had done in organising the growth of the South Wales Anti – Apartheid movement in South Wales from the time he came to Wales in 1972. I told him that Hanef had received the O.B.E. for his services to race relations, the charity and voluntary sector and for developing the Wales Anti – Apartheid movement. In fact he was still serving as secretary of the Anti – Poverty Group for Southern Africa.

I explained that both my son and myself had played rugby for a team in Cardiff who were formed in 1946 and whose whole being was based on multi – racial and religious tolerance. Cardiff International Athletic Club, known my most as the C.I.A.C.s was formed by black servicemen who had returned from fighting for this country in World War II. The C.I.A.C. badge incorporates the clasping of black and white hands and the club motto is “UNUS ET IDEM”, meaning “ONE AND THE SAME”.

He was amazed that this could have been possible at a time when the Apartheid laws were being introduced in South Africa, I am in the process of sending him a club polo shirt which hopefully he will wear and make future visitors aware of the significance of the badge.

My son and myself also toured the area and our guide again was a mine of information, he was an articulate Asian man who had been through the Apartheid years. We talked about the transition from Apartheid policy to Democratic freedom and it’s positives and negatives. I told him that I had marched through the streets of Cardiff in 1969 in protest at the touring of the white only South African team. 12,000 people marched through Cardiff that day including Trade Unions, Church groups, Student groups, the Wales Anti – Apartheid movement and of course the C.I.A.Cs.
There is an image from that day that has always stayed in my mind. Banners had been made for the march and one in particular was designed by the Murrell family. It showed a black hand on a rugby ball on the try line and the banner read “DON,T DENY THEIR RIGHT TO TRY”

He wanted us to know how important this was to them and how instrumental sporting isolation was in breaking down the Apartheid system. The Apartheid laws although only framed after 1948 had been in force in Rugby Union unofficially for many years. New Zealand excluding George Nepia from their team in 1928,this was a high profile example. In 1976 South Africa toured New Zealand and this attracted great criticism, 28 countries boycotted the Summer Olympics. The world’s conscience had been stirred but sadly the Rugby Union authorities largely ignored this. In 1977 the “Gleneagles” agreement was signed which discouraged sporting contact. In defiance New Zealand invited South Africa to tour in 1981 where massive civil disruption took place.

The ensuing sporting isolation hurt the white South African sporting psyche, he stressed that one of the pillars of the Apartheid policy was white sporting supremacy particularly in rugby union where the Afrikaans were dominant. They tried to counteract the sporting isolation by tempting “Mercenary Teams” to visit South Africa. The South American “Jaguars” toured in the early 1980s and in 1986 the New Zealand “Cavaliers” came to South Africa against the wishes of the New Zealand Rugby Union” On their return they were banned from representing the “All Blacks” for 2 games. In 1989 a “World XV” approved by the International Rugby Board toured South Africa, shamefully the largest contingent were from Wales, 10 players then 8 French, 6 Aussies, 4 English, 1 Scot and 1 Irishman. They were widely believed to have received substantial secret payments in offshore currencies, this at a time when Rugby Union was supposedly an amateur sport.

Our guide was adamant that we should know what happened next and I must admit I did not. An important breakthrough took place in achieving multi – racial rugby union, this against a backdrop of Apartheid which translated means separateness.In 1988 Dr Danie Craven, South Africa’s most prominent administrator, then Chairman of the South African Rugby board had seen South Africa isolated from genuine sporting contact with the rest of the world. He made an unprecedented move when he met leaders of the banned ANC, the African National Congress in Zimbabwe. The Afrikaners especially, to whom Rugby Union was a symbol of power saw this as an act of treason. Although denounced by the then President P.W.Botha Dr Craven agreed to form a single Rugby association fielding an integrated team for foreign tournaments.

In 1990 – 1991 after the release of Nelson Mandela the legal apparatus of apartheid was abolished and in 1992 South Africa were re – admitted to International rugby. At the end of the trip our guide asked us to thank those who tried to make a difference. I have written this letter in the hope that some who did will see that they were appreciated. I personally only took part in one march but other C.I.A.C. families continued to support the Anti – Apartheid movement in South Wales and further a field until it was dismantled. I will not name them but they know who they are and they should be proud.

After coming home and having a period of reflection is everything now positive in the new South Africa? Of course not, they have 43% unemployment and are in recession as we are.It is still a society of great wealth imbalance and crime is a sensitive and growing problem. They have already achieved miracles with the peaceful transition to a genuine multi – racial, multi – party democracy founded on human rights. The Truth and Reconciliation committees are seen as a blueprint and are credited in some part in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. In Nelson Mandela they have an Icon who embraced those who persecuted him and who is today the most respected figure in the world. They may or may not succeed in moving this beautiful country forward but as Mrs Beattie Murrell and her families banner proclaimed in 1969 they do have “THE RIGHT TO TRY”

That Rugby team from Tiger Bay, by Arthur Duarte

Below is a brilliant (and lengthy!) poem recently written by Arthur Duarte (one of the founding players of the 1946 side). This is what the CIAC legend is all about ...

That Rugby team from Tiger Bay, by Arthur Duarte

Cardiff International Athletic Club



We were formed in Nineteen Forty Six
And played our rugby just for kicks
UNUS ET IDEM was on our crest
To be just that we did our best
One and the same was it meant
To be just that was always our intent
James and Neil and Sullivan
All were players when it began
There were many more I could go on and on
Like George Percy, Fred Campbell and Sammy John
Others came to run and pass
The Acties, Ernests and Billy Douglas.

When we went up the valleys to play
You are not Internationals they would say
You’re THAT RUGBY TEAM FROM TIGER BAY
As we sat in the clubhouse after the game
And tried to explain why we had than name
So when our story it unfurled
That our fathers came from all around the world
It’s a good name for you they then would say
And we do like the way you play.

We put our rugby to the test
As far as Hendy in the west
Tried to be true to our style
Whether in Cefn Cribbwr or the Dingle at Pyle
Rugby League scouts followed wherever we went
Be it Tondu or Blaenau Gwent
Some of them could tell the tale
How we gave them the slip in Ebbw Vale.

Magic rugby players we did groom
Like Boston, Freeman and Willicombe
They went north to ply their trade
We are mighty proud that they made the grade
International players trod the same road
But failed to make it in that code.

Most of our players were from the bay
And South Church St. School where they learned to play
Sievewright, Phillips, Nogan and Austin
Players you could put your trust in
Some they came from other places
But always welcome were new faces
A Newtown boy was John O’Connor
He wore our jersey with pride and honour
Stretch Williams, Phil Collins and Davy Maunder
Played for us all around the Rhondda
I must not forget a prop we had
Was there all through the good and bad
Got on with the game without much fuss
His name was Eustace but we called him Gus
Even footballers came on board
Like “Hooky” Harris and “Dango” Ford.

When we marched in that demonstration
There were rumblings and accusations
But we were there for what we stood
And thought that it would do some good
Our colours they were black and white
And for what that signified we would fight
We are proud that we stood tall that day
Along with other people from the bay
We didn’t think that it was right
Not to be able to play for your country
If you weren’t white
Now there is no segregation
They are known the world over as the RAINBOW NATION
If things had not been turned around
Bryan Habanna would not be found
Parading his talent on the world stage
Like a cheetah just released from its cage
We are not trying to claim any credit
But we are proud that we were there to do our bit
Everyone connected with the CIAC side
Walk with your head held high and filled with pride.

South Church St. School was down and gone
Where would our future players come from
It was plain for everyone to see
That school had been our Academy
Soon on our faces would be a smile
For not very far, about half a mile
Was a school called Clarence Road
Where we would get players by the load
Carpin, Kuck the Murrell’s and Pengelly
And from Adamsdown came Billy Kelly
What a journey they took us on
Under the captaincy of Phillip John

Eleven times they won the Mallet Cup
The club was on the up and up
And “Bonzo” John was doing fine
His winner’s trophies counted up to nine
There were clever backs for all to see
And the lineout skills of Jimmy Corsi
I am proud of this new generation
Who followed in the founders’ creation
He running game is what we played
And the showed us of what they were made
They also played at 7-a-side
What they won at that filled us with pride.

I have already mentioned “Dango” Ford
But there were many more, in fact there were loads and loads
As one joker once said to me
The CIAC has more Fords than the motor company
In recent years within this club
Larry has been right there at the hub
Another name that rhymes with Ford
Is our won Mr Teflon “Tiger” Borde
Someon who has been with us for quite some time
I’ll have to try and make his name rhyme
No it’s not another Ford
It’s “Scatter”, known as Keith Huxford.

Many have served this club in spades
Big Jack, Michael Sunni and Elvin Blades
Trotmans have been with the club since way back when
They served us well and both of them named Ken
They came from the West Indies I know not where
Carl Smith and his brothers from Loudoun Square
Santos, Silva, Soares, Brito, Duarte and Rodrigues
People all called them Portugese
So just in case you haven’t heard
Their fathers came from the islands of Cape Verde
Reggie and Nellie I remember them both
And George Hoskins and his brothers who came from Roath
“Biffo”, “Jonah” and “Tinman” too
Joined us to show what they could do
There are so many names I could go on and on
Alan Robertson, “Jonno”, Patrick Venn and Russell John
Before I finish this preamble
Let’s not forget Frank Parris, Roger Clarke and Stuart Campbell
So if you meet me in the street
Don’t rant and rage and stamp your feet
If your name has been left out
Please don’t punch me on the snout.

It is time to close and I would like to say
To the players of the present day
When your playing days are gone
And you no longer put that jersey on
I hope just like me you will have the pleasure
Of memories that you can treasure
Of the games you’ve played
And the friends you’ve made
Not just the old familiar faces
Who were there when you first tied your laces
But the players who came from other places.

PARTLY because of demonstrations like we went on
Apartheid now is dead and gone
So when you play your next game
Just be proud of the CIAC name
And never forget from where it came
I may be no longer there
But that does not mean that I don’t care.


Arthur Duarte – 1 August 2009

Pre-season Rugby Training starts Tuesday July 7th 6.30pm

2009 awards

At the end of Season presenation night in the Docks Cons Club Dan Baugh presented the following awards :

2009 awards

Player of the year - Gary Ward

Forward of the year - Kaid Hassan

Most improved - Josh Ward

Clubman - Aled Edwards

Next CIACS Club Social

Event – CIACS – Club Social
When : Sat May 23 2009 - 4.30 pm
Location : Docks Cons


300 Spartans (CIACS, maybe a little less then 300 going by this season) will be defending the cardiff lands by showing that we are not defeated and we stand as one. It is also the heinekan cup final to entertain us. Fancy dress is required by ALL and you may be a persian if you wish.

Mavo.

Final social of the season

Guys

The final social of the season, where we will be devouring what is left of the social kitty is to be held on Saturday 23rd May, which is the date of the Heineken Cup Final, and is also a bank holiday weekend I think.

Hopefully the Blues will be there so we can all (inc Mahoney) get wrecked and cheer them on.

Mavis will have a think about theme, location etc and we'll get back to you.

There will also be a bit more respectable end-of-season presentation night which is being organised by Jack and Doug. This will be held upstairs at the Docks Cons and will include a buffet and a bit of a disco and the usual awards for player of year, forward of the year etc. WAGs will also be invited.

Any ideas or comments, let Mavie or myself know.

On a rugby-related note, thought we finished the season on a very positive note with a big (too big actually) squad and a gutsy intense performance against a very accomplished Rumney side.

If we can keep everyone from that semi final squad and attract 4 or 5 newcomers over the summer then it bodes well for next year, particularly with big Jack pulling the strings and youngsters like Stretch, Car javascript:void(0)Crash, Josh, Fordy and Dewi coming through. I am also looking into booking a permanent slot at Leckwith's astro turf court for the winter months.

Rant over ... until next season.

Tidy.

Aled