Scarlets help region’s next generation share their rugby stories

Libraries, archives and museums have joined forces with the Welsh Rugby Union to hold a competition for young people to celebrate rugby in Wales as part of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup celebrations and Scarlets are lending a helping hand in West Wales.

Earlier this week dozens of the region’s next generation were given a helping hand with their entries as author Alun Gibbard was joined by famous Scarlets faces in libraries at Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen.

School children aged between 10 and 12 years old worked with Gibbard, Scarlets Team Manager Garan Evans and Scarlets and Wales hooker Emyr Phillips to write their own short stories based on the theme ‘If I played for Scarlets…’

Entries can be made online or by visiting Ammanford Big Day Out on Saturday 11^th July where you can participate in a free rugby skills session under the leadership of the Scarlets.

Local writer Alun Gibbard said; “I strongly believe that rugby and sport plays a special role in the national psyche in Wales and this competition will hopefully both tap into its popularity amongst the school children and help us reach out to those who are yet to get the bug.”

Scarlets hooker Emyr Phillips said; “It was an honour to be a part of the rugby stories sessions. The children were enthusiastic throughout and asked lots of really interesting questions. I believe this is a really inspired way to get young people to share their interest in rugby and hopefully my answers will help them create some very interesting stories!”

The competition comprises three categories and the overall theme is rugby in Wales:

• Poetry for 7-9 year olds

The poems must be no longer than 250 words

• Short Story for 10-12 year olds

Short stories must be no longer than 500 words

• Digital Storytelling for 13-16 year olds

Films must be no longer than 3 minutes and may include photographs, video, animation, sound, music, text, and narrative voice.

The entries will be judged by a specially selected panel of judges comprising rugby personalities, authors, librarians and media experts and finalists will be announced early in September.

The competition finalists will have their stories displayed at a new Kick-offs and Keep-sakes exhibition in the National Museum Cardiff from 8^th September and they will also be invited to attend the launch of the exhibition on 16^th September 2015 to pick up their prizes.

Libraries, museums and archives across Wales will be putting on activities to help young people generate ideas for their stories or poems, develop skills to help with creating digital stories and showcasing their rugby and sporting heritage collections.

The competition is open until 20^th July 2015 and for more information including full terms and conditions please visit: www.rugbystories.wales and join in the conversation on #rugbystories