It was a busy holiday period for the Ospreys in the Community team, with almost 1,500 children engaged in community activities across the region as part of the charity’s busiest ever Easter.
A wide range of holiday initiatives saw children taking partin match day activities and a series of rugby camps, as well as Ozzie’s traditional Easter party during the two week school break.
The two week holidays kicked off with a busy day at the Guinness PRO12 game against Leinster, with ten mixed boys and girls TAG rugby teams taking to the Liberty Stadium pitch at half time. There were also junior rugby teams from Wales, England and Ireland enjoying stadium tours and the opportunity to welcome the players onto the pitch as flag bearers and forming our guard of honour.
More children than ever attended the OitC rugby camps this Easter, with the OitC coaching team giving close to 500 children aged from six to 16 the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and have fun at the usual three day camp at Llandarcy, along with a senior and girls only camp, as well as outreach camps held in Bridgend and Bishopston.
There was also plenty of fun had by the Ozzie’s Army Members who attend the mascot’s annual Easter party, this year held at Llandarcy Academy of Sport. More than 500 children enjoyed a day out to remember, with games and activity, rugby fun with the OitC coaches, as well as meeting the entire Ospreys squad for pictures and autographs.
Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager, Ospreys in the Community, said:
“It’s been an incredibly busy Easter for the team, our busiest yet, and it’s been hugely successful. We’ve taken our camps out even further across the region than before and had a great response with more boys and girls than ever taking part.
“It’s great to see so many young people, of all different skill levels and previous involvement with the game, enjoying getting involved in so many different ways. From them taking part in the camps, to getting to stand on the pitch at the Liberty Stadium forming the guard of honour, to meeting the squad and even playing some rugby with them at Ozzie’s Easter Party.
“We have to thank the Ospreys players as well for their support of our activities at such a busy time of the season for them. They’ve given up their time to take part in Q&A’s and to meet hundreds of young supporters at various events and we’re very grateful to them for their backing of the Foundation.”