Scarlets at heart of community for Amman Valley’s Big Day Out 

The Scarlets added a splash of colour to the big event in the Amman Valley this weekend, as crowds flocked to a summer highlight in the events calendar in the region.

As part of the Amman Valley Big Day Out and Mardi Gras, the Scarlets teamed up with Ammanford RFC to bring rugby to young supporters in the region with Scarlets senior stars Prop Deacon Manu and Carmarthen’s outside half Aled Thomas signing autographs and running mini rugby sessions with crowds of excited youngsters.

The mini rugby was a big hit with young Scarlets supporters and great fun for all thanks to input and expert tutorship of Scarlets hero – former Wales international flanker, Dafydd Jones supported by Scarlets Community Rugby officer Chris Spriggs.

The Scarlets met with the new Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Amman Valley councillor Kevin Madge who was delighted to see the groups of young rugby stars enjoying the festival and chatting with their rugby heroes as well as getting a taste for Welsh rugby success by holding Wales’ Triple Crown trophy!

Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “It was a great occasion and good to be part of such a colourful community event with families and children having so much fun. The Big Day out is important to this area and a lot of people worked very hard in putting it all together and our thanks to the Scarlets for supporting it and making the day a success.”

Scarlets Chief Executive Mark Davies said: “One of the most rewarding elements of all the work we do in the communities around the Region, is to see the reaction of the junior players when they spend time with our players and coaches .

“Part of our role and responsibility as a Regional club is to ensure we deliver inspiration to youngsters in all the communities around the Region and particularly to encourage them to do their best in whatever they do.

“Ammanford itself together with the whole Amman Valley has a very active set of junior clubs , with strong participation and real talent , supported by parents and volunteers working hard to ensure the juniors have the opportunities to play.

“All our boys recognise the effort that it takes to provide those opportunities , because that’s where they started themselves – that’s why they particularly enjoy attending events like this and adding a little Scarlets magic and inspiration to the hard work that is undertaken every day at grass roots level.”

Scarlets star outside half Aled Thomas, from Carmarthenshire said: “It’s always great to meet up with our youngest supporters who always have plenty to ask and chat about and they bring a real energy to our mini rugby sessions when we are out and about in our communities.

“It’s a genuine pleasure and inspiration to all Scarlets players to be part of grass roots community events like the Big Day Out because it’s vital we stay close to our roots, know where we come from and the people we represent in sport and say a big thank you to every one of our supporters that come to our games at Parc y Scarlets and cheer this region on in all its competitions throughout the season.”