The summer holidays are under way but it's back to school for the Ospreys on Monday!
On Monday 29th of July school children on their summer holidays and Ospreys rugby players who are just beginning their summer pre-season training will come together at Llandarcy Academy of Sport to share in their love of rugby.
Ospreys in the Community’s Summer Camps have been a regular, sell-out success for the last two years with children aged 6 to 12 taking part in a three-day Camp at the training ground of Ospreys Rugby in Llandarcy.
This year, it just so happens to coincide with the first day of pre-season summer training for the Ospreys squad, as they prepare for a packed season ahead as the only rugby region representing Wales in Europe’s Heineken Champions Cup.
With the Summer Rugby Camps and Pre-Season training starting on the same day young rugby enthusiasts across the Osprey Rugby region will get the opportunity to meet and play a bit of rugby with their heroes on Day One of pre-season training for the 2019/20 campaign.
Head Coach Allen Clarke said; “What a great opportunity for these young people to be a part of what is a big day here at the Ospreys as we begin in earnest to prepare for the season ahead - and what better inspiration can there be for the team themselves than to meet the players and fans of tomorrow”.
Tom Sloane, who leads the Ospreys in the Community team agrees; “This is such a good way for children to come out and have fun, learn a bit about rugby and the many health and well-being benefits of picking up a rugby ball and being part of a team. Over the last few years the children have made many new friends, girls and boys together, with or without any rugby experience – just having a good time”.
Whilst this three-day Camp is for 6 to 13 year-olds, Senior Camps are planned at the end of August for 13 to 17 year-olds with Outreach Camps taking place at Penyrheol Leisure Centre and Archbishop McGrath High School on 16 August.
Ospreys Rugby’s commitment to developing rugby amongst the Under 16 age group is reflected further in their new Under 16s Season Membership starting at just £20 to see all home games at the Liberty Stadium during the 2019/20 season.
Tom Sloane says, “It’s really important to recognise that young people want to engage with rugby on all levels. For some they’ll love the opportunity to take part and the Summer Camps are perfect for those who get excited about playing rugby. If your preference is to leave the ball on the field and join us in the stands as a fan, then it’s important that we make that as accessible as possible. This is what the Under 16s membership does and it comes with a heap of fun benefits too.”
For more information on season memberships people should visit membership.ospreysrugby.com. Places for Camps are limited but there is still some availability for the 3 days of camps starting this Monday at the training home of Ospreys Rugby. Daily prices are £30 or £70 for the full 3 days and are available online at ospreysrugby.com/rugbycamps