The Ospreys have strengthened their commercial support team with the appointment of a Schools Coordinator, tasked with building stronger links between the region and the local communities across the region.
Keith Collins, a founder member of the Ospreys Supporters Club and a retired teacher with 34 years teaching experience at schools across Ospreylia, has joined the team and will drive an exciting new schools programme in conjunction with primary commercial partners RWE npower renewables that will be formally launched at the start of the new academic year in September.
A former secretary of Waunarlwydd RFC Junior Section and a level two qualified UKCC coach, Keith has been involved in schools and junior rugby since the very beginning of his long teaching career, while his whole family are passionate Ospreys fans who can be found in the Eteach Stand at every home game as well as travelling overseas to support their home region.
Speaking about his important new role, Keith said:
“Having a strong background in both education and junior rugby I’m passionate about, and fully committed to, the concept of development from within and the importance of a having a strong, pro-active relationship between the region and its schools. I believe we have much to gain through such an approach, and in this role I will be looking to cement strong links between us and every school in Ospreylia.
“There is so much we can do that will prove mutually beneficial and it is my aim to visit every single school in the region, to help these relationships grow. The first priority is the launch of a new schools initiative in September which will go a long way towards ensuring that every primary school pupil in the regions feels Ospreylian and wants to be a part of the cause.”
Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, welcomed Keith to the team, saying:
“This appointment is a crucial one for us as we look to build on the excellent work already done by our community team to create strong relationships with our schools. Keith will bring to the role a particular skillset and experience, which combined with his passion for the Ospreys cause makes him the ideal person to drive forward our various schools projects, and in particular, the new programme that will be launched in the autumn.”