The Ospreys Community Development team will be hosting a series of events for coaches in the region throughout August to highlight changes to the WRU's Minis to Millennium pathway booklet.
Following feedback from all key stake holders of the junior game based on the introduction last year of the WRU Player Development Pathway: Minis to Millennium, the WRU has made the decision to re-word the Minis to Millennium pathway booklet.
Having consulted with coaches based in clubs and schools, it was felt that there was a large variance on interpretation of the rules of play for junior age groups. As a result the consistency of the rules being played was irregular at best, with competing parties making assumptions as to the interpretations, making the learning experience difficult for the players.
In order to relieve any ambiguity for the coming season, the new wording of the pathway booklet will indicate exactly how the game is to be played for each age group.
To support the introduction of the new booklet, the Ospreys Community team will be hosting a series of events for coaches and referees to attend in order to highlight the key changes within the booklet and clarify any questions or queries that may arise.
The following events will be held throughout the month of August 2011:
• Wednesday August 3rd 2011, 6pm, Llandarcy Academy of Sport - WRU Minis to Millennium Pathway Rollout - Dan Owens, Ospreys Coach Development
• Wednesday 10th August 2011, 7pm, Dunvant RFC - Swansea Junior District Association meeting - Andy Williams, Swansea Player Development Officer
• Monday 22nd August 2011, 6.30pm, The Gnoll, Neath RFC - Afan Nedd Junior District Association meeting - Andrew Thomas, Afan Nedd Player Development Officer
• Thursday 25th August 2011, 7.30pm, Tondu RFC - Bridgend Junior District Association meeting - Tom Cole, Bridgend Player Development Officer
These events have been organised in the interest of developing the future of the game. Coaches are encouraged to make every effort to attend one of these events in order to fully understand the requirements for their players for the coming season.