Former Porthcawl Primary School pupil Lloyd Peers returned to his old stomping ground recently for a visit as part of the Ospreys Schools Programme.
He was joined on the visit by his Ospreys team-mate Ryan Bevington, and the pair took part in a special Q&A with the Year 5 and 6 pupils.
The innovative Schools Programme, a first in UK rugby, covers a wide range of issues including personal welfare and self esteem, the benefits of teamwork and cooperation, collective global environmental responsibility and online safety, as well as promoting a healthy active lifestyle and, of course, rugby.
Devised in partnership with long-term partners RWE npower renewables and supported by Sony UK Technology Centre, Save Britain Money and the WRU, the programme aims to bring 3,000 year five and six pupils in direct contact with the Ospreys over the course of the academic year. The programme was put together in consultation with the education departments at the three unitary authorities within Ospreylia to ensure it satisfies National Curriculum objectives, helping to develop key skills in pupils.
The six-week programme sees pupils complete specially created work books designed to help areas such as literacy and numeracy and culminates in the opportunity for pupils to enjoy educational tours of both the Liberty Stadium and the Sony plant in Pencoed, rounded off by a visit to their school by some Ospreys players.
Former Porthcawl pupil Peers returned to his old school, along with Bevington, and the pupils hadsome great questions lined up for the pair as they probed to find out what it was like to be a professional rugby player, who the best player was and how hard they had to train to keep fit.
Peers said it had been a great visit:
"It was great to be able to go back to my old school to meet the current pupils and see some of my old teachers again. The children certainly had some really interesting questions lined up for us. I hope that by being a former pupil there and now going back it can prove inspiring for the pupils and show them that by working hard they can get where they want to be too.
“Hopefully it also makes them feel closer to the Ospreys and will make them want to come to the Liberty to support their region. I think it’s important for the development of the region that young kids can see that there is a pathway from school right the way through to the region, as it can help to inspire a life of supporting the Ospreys."