With the Ospreys hosting Glasgow tonight the region is set to welcome more than 200 local schoolchildren who will be taking part in a special banner display and march-past to commemorate St David's Day.
The schools were invited to participate in an event where children could design Ospreys banners as a way or marking the national saints day on March 1st. The schools were then invited to march around the pitch perimeter at half-time at the crucial PRO12 clash to show off their handiwork, accompanied by Ozzie the Osprey.
The following schools will all be present at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night:
Cila, Crymlyn, Glais, Glyncollen, Penyrheol, St Joseph’s (NPT), Traeth Melyn, Tre Uchaf, Ysgol Gellionen, Ysgol y Wern.
All participating schools have been encouraged to develop Ospreys and general rugby themed notice boards, allowing the children to follow the Ospreys, helping them to develop closer links with their region. It is hoped that there will be further banner displays during games at the Liberty Stadium to commemorate other major events.
It’s a special evening for second row Ian Gough, who becomes just the third player to complete 200 appearances in regional rugby since its inception in 2003, and he welcomed the involvement of the children, saying:
“It’s great to see local school children getting involved with matchday at the Ospreys. No doubt they are excited about coming along and taking part in the half-time march, and being part of the region.
“It’s a big occasion for them, and hopefully they can help to make it something special for the region as well. These kids are the future of our region, as players or fans, so it’s important we make them feel part of the family."
The schools will be in the Supporters Village pre-match to show off their banners and get their pictures taken, before watching the game, taking to pitchside at the break.
A gallery of pictures from the display will be posted on our Facebook page after the game.