The Ivy Tower, Tonna                                                                                                                           The Ivy Tower on the Crest

 A Brief History of Tonna RFC

Tonna Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club situated in the village of Tonna, Neath, South Wales UK. Tonna RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union. Although it is believed that Tonna RFC was in existence before 1888, the first officially recorded report came from the 1887/88 season when the Cambria Daily Reader stated that Tonna RFC were drawn to play Mynsybach in the local Neath cup challenge cup. It is therefore recorded that Tonna RFC came into being on the 28th February 1888.

The Ivy Tower, originally known as 'The Belvedere', was built by the wealthy Mackworth family in the 1700s for the purpose of entertaining guests as they walked around the estate. The Mackworths owned the Gnoll estate throughout the 18th century. The Tower stands high up on the mountain above the rugby club giving a major local landmark for miles around.

Tonna RFC's first international player was D. H. Davies, although playing for Neath RFC at the time of his one and only cap against Scotland in 1904, he came through the playing ranks of Tonna.

With the outbreak of the First World War the club disbanded, but reformed as Dulais United after the war. This team was an amalgamation of local villages Tonna, Aberdulais, Cadoxton, Cilfrew and Cefn-yr-allt; but the team was still based in Tonna.

During the coming years the club strived to support local first class rugby sides like Neath, Aberavon and Swansea for the development of players from schoolboy to senior players.

Today Tonna RFC still strives to support local adults and children from the local community to enjoy the the great game of Rugby Union Football. Thus running Two full senior sides, a Youth Section and a thriving Junior and Mini section

Tonna Rugby Football Club