St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

Trophies & Medals

Medals were not just awarded to players, but also to officials for officiating at significant matches. They were not only distributed to commemorate matches or Championships, but a club could commission a medal for a number of reasons, the keeping of a home ground record for example. However these players’ medals in an amateur game - as rugby was for much of its history - were frowned upon by the governing bodies, who strove to stamp out any whiff of ‘professionalism’. In most cases during the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the items were not expensive and of nominal value, as is evident from the simple form many early medals took. Gold medals soon appeared, but with a minimal value, public subscriptions often producing more substantial awards to recognise major achievements. The small medals awarded by clubs were often worn on watch chains by recipients – see also watches in this collection.

MD001

Medal, Swansea RFC, Evan Richards, SWCC - 1887

MD002

Medal, Swansea RFC, Peter Lockman 2nd XV - 1903-04

MD003

WFU Match committee badge, Wales v Scotland, St Helen's - 1904

MD004

Medal, Swansea RFC, Tom Morgan, Welsh Champions - 1912-13

MD005

Medal, Swansea RFC, Tom Morgan, 2nd XV - 1909-10

MD006

WFU Match committee badge, Wales v Scotland, Evan Richards - 1983

MD007

Medal, Morriston RFC, Tom Morgan 2nd XV - 1905-06

MD008

Medal, Swansea RFC, Howel Lewis, Welsh Champions - 1912-13

MD009

Medal, Swansea RFC, George Davies, Welsh Champions - 1898-99

MD010

Medal, Wales, Triple Crown, Geoff Wheel - 1976, 1977, 1978

MD011

Medal, Swansea RFC, U.S.B. - 1907

MD012

Medal, Swansea Schools Rugby league - 1920s

MD013

Medal, Swansea RFC, SWCC Winners - 1880

MD014

Committee Pass ribbon, Swansea RFC, F J Gordon, Swansea RFC v South Africa - 1912

MD015

Medal, Swansea RFC, Runners-up Principality Premiership - 2009-10

MD016

Brass plaque from clock, swansea RFC, George Hayward, Swansea RFC v South Africa 1912

MD017

Brass plaque from clock, swansea RFC, GTom Morgan, Swansea RFC v South Africa 1912

MD018

Jack Bassett - Senior Cricket Ball medal 1928

MD019

Jack Bassett - 440 yards medal 1929

TR001

Presentation trophy, Locomotiva Club Bucharest - 1954

TR002

Trophy, Wales, Five international wins, George Hayward - 1908-09

TR003

Trophy, Swansea RFC, Sunday Telegraph Welsh Merit Table Champions - 1982-1983

TR004

Trophy, Swansea RFC, Sunday Telegraph English-Welsh Merit Table Champions - 1982-1983.

TR005

Trophy, Swansea RFC, 'NTL' Champion of Champions' Cup (v Newcastle Falcons) - 1998.

TR006

Trophy, Swansea RFC, Welsh Scottish Champions - 2000-01

TR007

Trophy, Swansea RFC, Welsh Merit Table Champions - 1973-74

TR008

Silver plate, Swansea RFC, Western Mail team of the year - 1991-92

OT009

Trophy, Swansea RFC, WRU National League Premiership Winners - 1997-98

TR014

Jack Bassett - Best bowling average 1929

TR016

R H Brown - 150 yds flat race SCC Annual Athletics 1879