Do you have a great rugby story/poem you’d like to share?

Libraries in Wales have joined forces with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to hold a competition for young people to celebrate rugby in Wales as part of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup celebrations.

Author, Phil Carradice, has worked with children at Cwmnedd and Blaengwrach Primary Schools to create some fantastic poems to be entered into the competition. And it is not too late to send your own entry in. You will find postcards and entry details in each of Neath Port Talbot’s libraries. There are three categories in all:

• 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 competition was launched at the Millennium Stadium, alongside WRU chief executive Roger Lewis and chairman Gareth Davies, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates commented:

“I’m excited to be launching this fantastic competition which brings together all the elements of my portfolio – culture, sport and tourism!  By encouraging young people to record their experiences of rugby in Wales, whether they are playing, watching or hearing their friends and families talk about it – we are aiming to create a collection of stories that showcase rugby in Wales from the grass roots level right up to national team performances.

“This competition gives young people an opportunity to develop their literacy and digital skills in an engaging and fun way. Story telling is a great way for children to let their imagination grow and learn more about themselves and the world around them and I look forward to seeing the entries.”

Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Ali Thomas OBE, said:

“I’m very much looking forward to reading the entries for this exciting competition. We know that rugby 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.”

“I am delighted to see a competition for our young people that will fire up their imagination on the wonderful game of rugby. We have a rich heritage of sport and creative writers in Neath Port Talbot, and it’s encouraging to see both continue with our school children. One of our priorities to raise educational standards and attainment for all young people and this competition will go a long way to tackling this.”

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