It takes a special type of player who, after Eight months of punishing his body and mind with the rigours of playing Rugby Union, decides to spend his summer playing Rugby League!
But that's exactly what over 100 players throughout South Wales intend to do this summer! When the Union season is over, and their teammates are looking for the nearest bar or cheap holiday, this "band of brothers" is looking to "Switch Codes" in order to keep playing the sport they love.
In many cases these are not Union players looking for something to do to keep fit over the summer, but rather born and bred Welshmen who love Rugby League and are desperate for Summer to arrive so they can play the game they love.
The atmosphere in the Welsh Summer Conference is very special indeed, and it's the players that make it that way. There is such a rich mix of all different types of players, who despite their varying standings in the Union game share a deep mutual respect for each other when it comes to Rugby League. Former professional Rugby Union players will think nothing of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with players from the local Youth side, and every "lad" will be given a fair go.
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| Local Legend Tevita Manaseitava (43) looks on as Huw Rosser (17) makes his League debut. |
And for some this becomes an "endless summer" as success in the Summer Conference is already leading to greater things for some players as they progress on through the WRL development pathway to the Valley Cougars, South Wales Scorpions, and ultimately the Crusaders in the Super League.
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| Jamie Murphy who has risen from the Welsh Conference to the Superleague in just two seasons |
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