Llandovery College teams up with Scarlets to support Welsh qualified rugby talent

The global search is on for super-talented young rugby players to develop their skills at one of Wales’s finest residential schools as part of an exciting new scholarship scheme.

A new Sixth Form rugby scholarship has been established thanks to a partnership between Llandovery College and the Scarlets Region – inviting schoolboys with the potential to become top international players.

One outstanding player a year will be chosen for the prestigious Llandovery College International Rugby Scholarship. The award is being hailed as a chance of a lifetime opportunity to combine a first-class education with superb training and coaching at the Scarlets Academy based at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.

The funds for the one hundred per cent scholarship will be met by an unnamed benefactor who is closely connected to both Llandovery College and the Scarlets Club.

Llandovery College’s Director of Rugby, Iestyn Thomas, said the new award is an unbelievable opportunity for young players anywhere in the world.

“This is surely one of the most exciting things to happen in Welsh schoolboy rugby for a very long time,” he said. “The chance to be part of the dynamic Scarlets Academy squad whilst being educated at a leading independent school – it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

“The recipient of this award will be someone special. He must be Welsh qualified and a high academic achiever. Applications are invited from candidates residing anywhere in the world and this particular opportunity is for players outside the Scarlets Region who have the ambition and enthusiasm to be part of one of the finest development set-ups in European rugby.”

Llandovery College has a record of turning out ace rugby internationals including the Scarlets and Wales wing sensation George North.

North, started his rugby in North Wales and was brought to Llandovery on a bursary and part of the Scarlets development pathway when spotted by Scarlets’ development personnel.

The Scholarship works in addition to the current bursary programme and partnership between the College and Scarlets for players within its regional development pathway which works so well and is exemplified by the progression and maturity of former Llandovery students George North and Rhodri Jones.

The new initiative is designed to support and attract Welsh qualified talent from outside the Scarlets region and promote into the UK or internationally. It provides an important impetus to encourage bright Welsh qualified rugby talent outside Wales that there are unique opportunities in the Scarlets region to combine rugby training and ambition in parallel with the very best educational environment.

The College’s reputation as one of the finest rugby breeding grounds in Wales was further strengthened recently by the call up of another former pupil, Rhodri Jones. Jones, who can play on both sides of the scrum, has been tipped as one to watch for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Gareth Jenkins, Scarlets Head of Regional Development said: “The Scarlets have an established ethos of developing qualified Welsh talent in our region and this is an additional opportunity for bright young Welsh qualified players of the future who may be currently outside Wales to come back to their roots and further their education and success on the rugby field.

“The links between the Scarlets and Llandovery are long established and continue to work very well. Llandovery College understands and supports our ethos of developing and supporting players through our joint encouragement that they combine the very best educational opportunities alongside professional rugby training.

“It is very important that up and coming players are given a holistic and rounded approach to progressing their professional sports careers which includes investment in their education and qualifications as well as the best sports training and conditioning possible at Parc y Scarlets through our highly successful Academy programme.

“We are delighted to be supporting this new scholarship and look forward to working with Llandovery College into the future.”

Scarlets and Wales wing George North said: “Llandovery College was a great place to combine rugby and education and I am very grateful to everyone there for helping support my path to Scarlets senior rugby and achieving my international rugby dream.

“It’s very positive that this new scholarship will offer fresh opportunities for others to achieve their potential. I hope it helps inspire others to make the most of the great facilities and support provided by Llandovery College and the Scarlets as we keep the spark and energy of rugby in West Wales very much alive.”