Local shop reflects owner's passion for rugby, soccer
Josh Rosenthal
The Post and Courier
Rob Jones sorts through new rugby jerseys while attaching price tags at Cambria Sports, his recently opened rugby and soccer equipment store.
If you're lucky, you find work that marries your passions and your paycheck.
Rob Jones is one of the lucky ones.
Three months ago, the former police officer and car salesman opened Cambria Sports, a rugby and soccer equipment store on Sam Rittenberg in West Ashley. As someone born outside the United States, Jones can properly be called an authority on both sports.
Jones, 36, is a fan first and a businessman second. Growing up in the small town of Llanelli, Wales, he was a devoted player and fan of rugby and soccer. Too often he couldn't find the equipment he needed, so he puts himself in the fan or player's position when choosing which items to stock.
"It helps (to have) the perspective from the other side of the counter," he said. "Because I play both sports and I follow both sports, I can say, 'OK, would I buy this?' "
He carries a consistent supply of popular team jerseys, but much of his time is spent hunting down unique items. If he can't find what a customer wants, Jones said, he'll find it or wear himself out looking.
Cambria Sports also serves as a sort of United Nations of local sports fans. A fair number of international expatriates walk through the door, including Irish, Scottish, South African and South American fans, Jones said. They may come in to shop, or they'll watch one of the soccer or rugby games that are always playing on the shop's TVs. Jones will even open the store to host parties for important games that fans can't get on their televisions at home.
Jones's work is a lot like diplomacy: He acts as the area's rugby representative. He plays on the Charleston Outlaws men's rugby team and you can often find him in the stands at The Citadel or College of Charleston rugby games.
It's clear that soccer is huge in the area, but Jones is confident that rugby is gaining popularity as well. "It's such a contact sport that Americans, once they see it, love it," he said. For customers who want to learn the game, Jones often has a copy of "Rugby for Dummies" handy and invites them to the Outlaws' practices.
In time, Jones hopes to establish himself as an outfitter of local athletes. He is working with Charleston United, a youth soccer organization, on plans to supply team uniforms. The satisfaction he gets from helping youngsters play the games he loves is obvious.
"I was watching (a West Ashley soccer team) doing their training the other day," he said, "and there was a little girl like this high, and she was wearing a little Welsh soccer jersey I knew she bought from here. It was pretty cool seeing that."
Contact Josh Rosenthal at 937-5502.
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