St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

BZ012

Blazer badge

CIC

Billy Trew Jnr

1910-1911

Blazer Badger, Swansea RFC. Circa 1910. Black shield with red Swansea 'castle' motif. From the Swansea Blazer of W J Trew.

This is the Swansea RFC badge from the club blazer of the great William John “Billy” Trew. He played for the club from 1897 to 1914, captaining the 1st XV for six seasons, an achievement only matched by Billy Bancroft prior to the semi-pro era. A wing of rare speed and agility, Trew developed into a world class centre and stand-off for Swansea and Wales, winning 2 Welsh Championships and playing in the close loss to New Zealand and wins over Australia and South Africa for his club. A prolific try scorer he won 29 Welsh caps between 1900 and 1913, winning 4 Triple Crowns and a Grand Slam. Often injured due to opponents’ determination to stop his game management, he was a talisman during Swansea’s ‘Golden Era’ and one of rugby’s true ‘Greats’. His son W J Trew Jnr. also captained Swansea (1930-31).

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