The recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand was marked in Ospreylia by a series of Rugby World Cup Tag Festivals, organised by the Community Development team at the region.
The largest was the Swansea Valley Festival, which was hosted by Cwmtwrch RFC, where in excess of 120 kids participated.
The festival was jointly run by the Ospreys in collaboration with Neath Port Talbot Council, WRU, Neath Port Talbot College and Careers Wales West.
??Ahead of the event there were a number of visits by Ospreys Community Coaches to local Primary Schools over a three-week period to help increase FUNdamental rugby skills at year 5 & 6 for the participating teams.
On the day over 120 kids took part in the RWC Primary School Tag festival at Cwmtwrch RFC. In total 12 teams competedin the event, dressing in a variety of costumes to represent one of the 20 competing nations at the RWC.
The event was a huge success with many pupils experiencing tag rugby for the first time. Staged in a safe and friendly environment where the emphasis of the day was 'Fun for All'.
??To complement the event, the Ospreys Community Department staged a Club Development night at Cwmtwrch RFC the following week to capture new participants who had shown an interest at the RWC Event.
Several new players took part during the training session, joining the club’s Mini and Junior teams and they where joined by Ospreys players Justin Tipuric and Hanno Dirksen.
The players were keen to offer advice to the players and were actively involved in the delivery of the session. The event concluded with the Ospreys players participating in a 10 minute Q & A and signing various merchandise for the enthusiastic youngsters.??
Cwmtwrch Junior Secretary, Gary Davidson, said:
“It was really pleasing to see so many boys and girls enjoying rugby – many for the first time.The event was a positive outcome for Cwmtwrch RFC with an increase in the amount of boys and girls wanting to play rugby for the club.??
“Cwmtwrch RFC officials, players and parents would like to thank Justin Tipuric, Hanno Dirksen and the Ospreys Development Officers for their support.”
Any children who are interested in playing rugby ages 5 to 13 can contact Danny Simmons 07985131207; Craig Jenkins 07886593989 or Gary Davidson 07592474214 (www.pitchero.com/clubs/cwmtwrch).?