Four County Students Selected For World Cup

Four Carmarthenshire students will be substituting the playing fields of Llanelli for the sun-drenched fields of Australia at the Touch World Cup

When Rachel Wasserman, Mollie North, Sophie Rainton and Daniel Rees played in a series of county Touch Rugby tournaments organised by sport and leisure officers in 2013, little did they know that they would go onto represent Wales in the sport’s premier tournament in Coff’s Harbour, New South Wales in April.

All four youngsters from Strade, Glanymor, Bryngwyn Schools and Coleg Sir Gar were introduced to the game as part of the council’s 5×60 programme. They represented their schools prior to being selected to play for West Wales U16s and went on to become part of the Wales Touch Association Elite Academy for developing under 18 players.

Unlike traditional rugby, Touch players use their hands to make a touch on any part of the opponent’s body, clothing, or the ball.

The council’s sport and leisure officer, Matt Adams said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for all four of them to go and represent Wales in the biggest Touch tournament to date. They’ll be playing the very best players in the world and it’s particularly pleasing to note that all four pupils started playing Touch in 5×60 festivals and tournaments that we organised here in Carmarthenshire.”

Touch has been used by the sports and leisure team in Carmarthenshire due to its simple rules and focus on skills, as well as its appeal to both boys and girls – particularly those not attracted to contact rugby. Tournaments held in locations such as Pembrey Country Park and Parc y Scarlets were extremely popular and well attended and a number of pupils identified by these events have become involved in club and regional Touch teams as a result.

Competitor Mollie North, aged 15, said: “I can’t wait to go now – it’s going to be such a great experience. My dad is playing for Wales Men’s 40s too so we’re going out to Australia as a family.”

Some 99 teams from 25 nations are competing at TWC2015. Wales are the current U18s Mixed European Champions 2014. Three of the players were members of the squad that beat England in the final.”