Ospreys celebrate Townhill children’s rugby success

RUGBY is helping Swansea youngsters come together for fun and fitness.

The Communities First (West Cluster Team) has been working in partnership with Ospreys in the Community and the Welsh Rugby Union development officers for the Ospreys region to create new opportunities for children in the Townhill area.

Over the last ten weeks 20 children have taken part in a series of Tag Rugby sessions on the all-weather pitch at the Phoenix Centre.

The programme provides girls and boys with fun and active after-school sessions and the children have learnt to work together and to develop communication skills on and off the pitch.

Participants have enjoyed a visit to the Liberty Stadium where they got to meet Ospreys players pitch side and watched the PRO12 game against Connacht.

To celebrate their achievements, Ospreys players including Welsh International Nicky Smith this week visited the children to take part in a training session and sign autographs.

Will Evans, Swansea Council Cabinet member for Anti-Poverty, said: “This scheme was created in direct response to a request from local children who took part in a community consultation.

“It’s just one of the ways we are working in partnership to make life better in our communities for young people by providing them with opportunities that they may otherwise be beyond their reach.

“I am delighted that it is proving such a success and well done to all the girls and boys who are taking part.”

Following the success and popularity of the scheme Communities First is now planning to arrange training for parents who are interested in sustaining the Tag Rugby programme and supporting further Rugby development in the community.

Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager Ospreys in the Community, said: “This project is an outstanding example of Ospreys in the Community, the WRU and the local authority working together to provide rugby opportunity for local children. Through this collaboration we have been able to inspire 20 children to get involved and, hopefully, along with their parents, they will continue to participate.”