ABSTRACT
In the cultural context of South Wales, rugby is more than a game. It is fundamentally linked with Welsh identity (Andrews and Howell 1993; Smith and Williams 1980; Williams 1991). For a number of historically significant reasons surrounding England's treatment of colonised regions, there has often been a quasi-revolutionary reaction in the form of nationalism when games have started to be played in these places (see Williams 1991). Although the English introduced rugby, it became a symbol of Welshness as it became apparent that the Welsh were just as good at it as their English oppressors. In the case of Valley, a town of importance in Welsh industrial history, sport has long had a special importance both as an amateur practice and as a professional concern (Gwyer 1990). Performance at the elite level of Welsh rugby is an important part of community identity for the people of Valley, and it is for this reason that changes in the game as a result of professionalism (Howe 1999, 2001) have had an impact on the habitus of Valley RFC.
