The following is an opinion piece by Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West. The views expressed are his own and do not represent the editorial position of Swansea Bay News. Swansea Bay News publishes OpEds from politicians and public figures across the political spectrum.
For those of us who have been campaigning hard to save the Ospreys, this weekend will involve a drink or two.
The victories of the past week have given us much to celebrate — and provided powerful lessons for all of us about what happens when people stand up to be counted.
A month back, it seemed that the attempt to force the Ospreys out of professional rugby with no proper process could see the team cease to exist beyond next season. We end the week in a changed world.
The Welsh Rugby Union have backed down, with the proposed Y11 takeover of Cardiff taken off the table. The Ospreys will sign a new four-year deal and enjoy a significant boost to their funding. And the exciting redevelopment of St Helens stadium will be going ahead. These are major wins which we all can be proud of playing a part to bring about.
That brings me to the first big lesson: hard work will out. Because these victories were not made in a week — they were won over months of stubborn campaigning.
Supporters, especially the Ospreys Supporters Club, used every avenue to make themselves heard: turning out in their hundreds to public meetings, signing petitions in their thousands, and uniting via their clubs to force a change of leadership at the union. It was determination to be reckoned with — and energy that will need to be maintained as the fight to ensure the Ospreys’ long-term future continues.
The second lesson is for the WRU: people love their region, and they hate a stitch-up. The WRU’s chaotic attempt to deliver a backroom deal to stitch up Wales’s most successful professional side brought supporters together across divides.
The Ospreys and their supporters never asked for special treatment. They asked for honesty, proper process and respect. The WRU must take this opportunity to take a step back, reflect, and start rebuilding the trust with plans that command the support of clubs and fans across Wales.
The final lesson is in how much people can achieve when we come together behind a common goal, no matter how great the odds seem. The WRU thought they had the power to sign the future of the Ospreys away. Fans proved them wrong.
As I heard from speaker after speaker who came to Brangwyn Hall to show their support for their club, support for the Ospreys goes far beyond trophies. It’s about belonging, identity, and a sense of pride passed from one generation to the next. That’s power of a different kind — the kind that belongs to all of us.
The fight to secure the long-term future of the Ospreys is far from over. For my part, I’ll keep fighting until that fight is won.
For now, though, this is a moment to be proud. Professional rugby is coming back to Swansea city centre. It’s a victory for the Ospreys. A victory for Swansea. And a victory for everyone who stood up to be counted.
Torsten Bell is the Labour MP for Swansea West. You can follow him on X at @TorstenBell. If you would like to submit an OpEd for consideration by Swansea Bay News, please email editor@swanseabaynews.com.
