As we celebrate OitC's 10th birthday, we wanted to share an insight on how Ospreys in the Community (OitC) are building the rugby foundations of the future in our local community.
This week on OitC's social media platforms we have been following a mini-Osprey, Raph from Bishopston, around the local area to see how OitC are developing a love of rugby in the area!
Raph is 11 years old, goes to Bishopston Primary School and plays for South Gower Rugby club. His favourite Osprey is Jac Morgan!
So, how have OitC supported Raph, his club and class mates?
The Primary Schools Programme
Ospreys in the Community recognise that a huge part of development on and off the field comes through education. The OitC Primary Schools programme see’s OitC staff heading out to schools, such as Bishopston Primary, delivering a variety of sessions to develop essential life skills, as well as a passion for rugby in our next generation of players and sports fans.
As those following on social media will have seen this week, Raph’s class have:
- Written and performed a match report of Ospreys vs Cardiff match, developing their writing skills, speaking skills and confidence.
- Designed their own Ospreys kit, expressing their creativity.
- Programmed Rugby Robots to navigate a rugby pitch as a team, developing teamwork, coding skills.
- Physical activity sessions throwing a rugby ball around outside, getting fit and practicing basic rugby skills.
The objective of the Primary Schools programme is to integrate education and physical activity, promote holistic development, develop skills, cultivate confidence and creativity through fun and engaging sessions. It’s not just about rugby, but for many this is the start of their enjoyment of the game. If you would like to see your Primary School involved, please send an email to nick.white@ospreysrugby.com.
Club Nights
Outside of the classroom, OitC work with a number of clubs across the local area, delivering fun and engaging coaching sessions from our OitC coaching team. These sessions also see Ospreys players come down to the sessions, inspiring the next generation of Ospreys players and showing them just what it takes to make it at the top.
Raph and his teammates from South Gower RFC have benefitted from these sessions, allowing them to take their game up a level, in a familiar environment. If you would like to see the OitC team out in your local club, then send an email to nick.white@ospreysrugby.com.
Defender Rugby Camps
For those that are already actively engaged in rugby, Rugby Camps provide the next level for aspiring players. With sessions for boys and girls of all ages, our Rugby Camps take place at our Llandarcy High Performance Centre and show young people just what it takes to become an Osprey.
Our three day camps cater for younger children, focussing on fun games and skills based sessions, recognising the importance not only of skill, but of enjoyment of the game.
These camps have a track record of not only producing passionate, skilled players, but also of developing friendships off the field.
Our senior camps are where things start to get serious. With sessions delivered by our specialist OitC coaches, the Senior Camps see participants spend their time in camp training like an Osprey, with skills sessions, gym session and education on topics such as nutrition, analysis and injury prevention.
Raph and some friends from South Gower RFC and Bishopston Primary School came along to the last set of camps in October and had a great time. The next Defender Rugby Camps take place in February Half-Term. These are always popular, so we recommend you book ASAP!
Scarlets experience
OitC programmes may have a real focus on education and development within the game, but the approach is a holistic one. Ultimately, what we want is to share and grow the love of our game. The majority of sports fans are made and have decided their sporting and club allegiances by the time they are 14, and we are working to secure the future growth of the game in Wales.
We’d love to see all our participants live their rugby dreams at the highest level, but we know that for many, being able to enjoy the game in the stands with a group of close friends is the biggest reward.
If you want to bring a group of 10 friends to a game, email clive.oliver@ospreysrugby.com, or if you’re a smaller group, book your next rugby day out now.
