BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park will throw open it’s doors to welcome Ospreys and Stade Francais supporters next month when it is transformed into a European Supporters Village on Sunday 2nd April.
With the Ospreys set to face the Parisian giants next door at the Principality Stadium in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup (5.45pm KO) the iconic city centre venue will host a special tag rugby festival jointly hosted by Ospreys in the Community and the Cardiff Blues community team, with clubs from across the two regions participating at U7, U8, U9 and U10 levels.
The festival will support the WRU’s Half a Game initiative, launched last year to encourage and grow participation among younger children, guaranteeing game time for all young players.
Meanwhile, supporters of both teams are invited to use the Arms Park as their base for a memorable day of rugby with the club house open for business from 2pm, providing a convenient meet up point for those heading to Cardiff.
With food and drink available, you can support the youngsters as they enjoy their tag festival before live entertainment gets underway in the club house from 4.30pm.
There will also be an appearance from non playing squad members and a Q&A ahead of kick-off to help you get in the mood for what promises to be a memorable 80 minutes of European rugby.
Andrew Millward, Managing Director, Ospreys Rugby, welcomed the news and thanked regional rivals Cardiff Blues for their co-operation.
“After the announcement last week that we are taking this game to the Principality Stadium with the assistance of the WRU, this is another excellent example of the rugby community working together to make this event a success” said Millward.
“We are extremely grateful to the Blues for agreeing to host a European supporters village ahead of the quarter-final. Our two community departments have a track record of working together, and last season hosted a very successful TagFest event on the morning of our game at the Liberty Stadium.
“Bringing together community clubs at the home of the Blues on the afternoon of such a big match ticks so many boxes, in terms of participation and allowing these children to then experience first class action at the home of Welsh rugby and we are expecting big uptake.
“Likewise with the supporters village and access to the facilities at the Arms Park. With it’s city centre location it’s a perfect place for supporters heading to Cardiff to meet up ahead of the game and really start to soak up the big match atmosphere. There’ll be plenty going on to keep everyone happy. We can’t wait.”
Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager, Ospreys in the Community, said:
“We are all geared up for what promises to be a very popular event at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. This is a great opportunity for clubs from different districts to come together at a great venue and enjoy an afternoon of rugby under the Half a Game initiative in a fun, friendly and encouraging environment.
“The success of this event will only be possible with the support of the Blues, enabling us to deliver a fantastic day for supporters at their venue, old and young alike. No doubt there’ll plenty there enjoying a beer ahead of the main event who will get behind the young boys and girls having an afternoon to remember.”
Richard Holland, Chief Executive, Cardiff Blues, welcomed the Ospreys to BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, saying:
“We’re delighted to help the Ospreys out in a difficult situation and it should be a great day. It is another example of the regions working together and it’s a great opportunity for our community departments to engage with future generations.
“Hopefully it will culminate with two victories in our respective quarter-finals and should we meet in Edinburgh, it may not be so friendly!”
Registration for the tag event costs just £30 per team, which includes an opportunity to be flag bearers at the Principality Stadium (10 players and two coaches), as well as a player meet and greet.
Clubs can also bring along older teams wh,o when purchasing match tickets at the same 10 and two ratio, can also take advantage of the opportunity to be flag bearers.
For more details on registering your club team, please contact Tom Sloane, Ospreys in the Community, on 01792 616512 or email tom.sloane@ospreysrugby.com.
