Major Initiatives for North Wales Rugby

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced a series of major initiatives aimed at the continued development of the game in North Wales in line with the strategic plan for the area as a development Region.The proposals include launching a North Wales Rugby Academy and an innovative plan to introduce Rugby Canada international players to the development region's representative team.The WRU has been working with partners including Rugby Canada and the IRB, and subject to approval from the Board of Rugby Canada next month, this proposal will be launched in January 2010.The Board of the Welsh Rugby Union has also awarded club status to the Gogledd Cymru representative team in order to allow the side to develop strategically within the governance of the WRU.Under the WRU and Rugby Canada initiative, it is proposed that a number of players, funded by Canada, will be based in north Wales to play for the region.They will form the basis of the representative squad which will be completed with individuals from within north Wales.The scheme is projected to last for up to five years and the number of Canadians in north Wales will be reduced year on year as the academy system delivers more quality players into the north Wales system.The initiative is designed to offer the north Wales team an opportunity to compete for a chance to achieve Premiership status within a realistic time-scale.The plan is linked to existing developments which include the identification of Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay as the home base of the club with the full support of Conwy County Borough Council. It will also be the home of the new North Wales Rugby Academy.A non-profitable Cooperative Community Interest Company has been established to maximise financial and operational support for the development of representative rugby.The North Wales Rugby Academy will provide a focus for a sustainable pathway for players and coaches in north Wales which builds on existing development programmes within the region.That means the major areas of player development including all technical, tactical, psychological, physical and lifestyle support will be fully available and operational within the North Wales Rugby Academy programme.The Welsh Rugby Union has described the initiatives as a clear indication of the desire to maximise the development of all players, coaches and match officials from North Wales as outlined in the WRU strategic plan.The Rugby Canada Board meets in September where the financial aspects of the initiative to bring Canadian internationals to Wales will be looked at in depth.The scheme is also seen as a means to help Rugby Canada utilise the WRU structure to develop its own current international player base.WRU Head of Rugby, Performance and Development Joe Lydon said, "These measures have been put in place in order to accelerate the progression of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru as a team, and the identification and development of rugby in North Wales."Bringing young, Canadian squad players to North Wales will enable the north Wales team to be a competitive, semi-professional level side almost immediately. It will enable attractive fixtures to take place at Parc Eirias, which will hopefully help to increase the interest and participation levels in rugby in North Wales."Our aim throughout this is to raise the standard of rugby players in north Wales for the long term and the establishment of an academy in north Wales will help to identify and nurture that talent for the future, while at the same time, they will be exposed to a high standard of competitive rugby."There will also be a clear benefit to Canada, a development rugby nation."Peredur Jenkins, WRU Board member for north Wales said:"The north Wales rugby community welcomes these exciting and innovative plans. They will provide an opportunity for north Wales based players to achieve their full potential within the region. The flow of players from this region to the national teams at all levels will undoubtedly increase. These developments are the result of a close working partnership between the WRU, North Wales Rugby Council, Conwy Borough County Council and the Gogledd Cymru CIC - all parties striving to fulfill the strategies and goals of the WRU's Strategic Plan for North Wales."WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said "Rugby is the national sport of Wales. It defines us as a nation. The strategy for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru is vitally important not only for our rugby development but also for the unity of Wales."Rygbi Gogledd Cymru chairman Kenton Morgan said: "Being recognised as a club is another step in our implementation of the WRU strategic plan."Conwy County Borough Council's support in the development of Parc Eirias and the consequent regeneration potential for Colwyn Bay has been of tremendous benefit to this relationship. This new WRU plan fits our innovative approach to the progression of north Wales rugby and dovetails the needs of Gogledd Cymru with those of Rugby Canada."Canadian players will benefit massively from these high quality fixtures and the rugby culture of the region, which although less well recognised, is just as passionate, as that in other areas of Wales. They will be young men, away from home and we look forward to welcoming them into the team and to facilitating mutual rugby development and friendships."Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council said, "This is a very exciting announcement for rugby in north Wales. We are delighted to be part of the project and we believe it will help to inspire and encourage more young people to participate and will help develop the sport in the region."IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan said, "This is an excellent initiative which will offer young players from both nations the opportunity to achieve their full potential and, if approved in full, will clearly benefit rugby in both Wales and Canada."Geraint John, High Performance Director, Rugby Canada said, "We are excited and hopeful this project will be able to proceed because of the clear benefits it will deliver to both Wales and Canada by helping to develop our young players."

GCS boys to play Scarlets

CONGRATULATIONS to the following Gogledd Cymru South players who have been selected to play for Gogledd Cymru U16/18’s against the Scarlets this Sunday at Llandovery.
U18’s are Tom Parry (Pwllheli RFC/Ysgol Y Moelwyn), Ian Ellis (Bro Ffestiniog RFC), Matt Bevan (Bala RFC), Jacob Weaver-Jones (Welshpool RFC).
U16’s are Llion Evans (Llandudno RFC/Ysgol Y Moelwyn), Teddy Brittain (Llanidloes RFC).

FULL SQUADS

GC UNDER 18 SQUAD
1.JOHN EVANS
2.GARETH MORGAN
3. ED MASON
4. GRUFF JONES
5. JAKE SIMM
6. CHRIS HOLMES
7. TOM PARRY
8. OWEN JONES
9. ALEX SCHWARZ
10. JAC WILLIAMS
11. ANDRE CHANNER-HUGHES
12. NIKKI HUGHES
13. IAN ELLIS
14. ANDY OAKDEN
15. JONNY HUGHES
16. JACK MATTHEWS
17. MATT BEVAN
18. OLLIE HUGHES
19. JOSH WOODS
20. JACOB WEAVER-JONES
21. HENRY ROBERTS
22. WILL MITCHELMORE

Gogledd Cymru U16's Squad
1.WILLIAMS,Josh (Mold RFC)
2.KIRBY,Ryan (Mold RFC)
3.SIMPSON,Joe "Snitch" (Bangor RFC)
4.FRANCIS,Maredydd (Whitchurch RFC)
5.MEADOWS,Jacob (Pwllheli RFC)
6.EVANS,Llion (Llandudno RFC)
7.CROWE,Elliott (Llandudno RFC)
8.JONES,Robert (Llandudno RFC)
9.ROBERTS,Phylip (Ruthin RFC)
10.BLACKMORE,Jason (Rhyl RFC)
11.EVANS,Aron (Llangefni RFC)
12.JONES,Michael (Ruthin RFC)
13.RICHARDS,Matt (Ruthin RFC)
14.BACKSHALL,Sam (Nant Conwy RFC)
15.BRITTAIN,Teddy (Llanidloes RFC)
16.EVANS,Rhodri (Caernarfon RFC)
17.GOSS,Damian (Flint RFC)
18.EVANS,Rob (Wrexham RFC)
19.GWYN,Aaron (Caernarfon RFC)
20.WILLIAMS,Rhys (Mold RFC)
21.WEAVER,Lewys (Rhyl RFC)
22.BAGSHAW,Afon (Flint RFC)

Gogledd Cymru South Under 13 Initial 38 Man Squad 2009/2010

The following players have been selected.

Dominic Munroe - Welshpool
Will Evans - Welshpool
Gareth Parry - Bro Ffestiniog
Aron Hughes - Bro Ffestiniog
Gwidion Roberts - Bro Ffestiniog
Shaun Rye - Bro Ffestiniog
Jordon Rye - Bro Ffestiniog
Osain Jones - Bro Ffestiniog
Aubrey Morris - Cobra
Sam Jones - Llanidloes
Alistair Toms - Llanidloes
Colin Markham - Tywyn
Twn Jones - Newtown
Bryn Roberts - Cobra
Iwan Roberts - Cobra
Gethin Edwards - Bro Ffestiniog
Elliot Davies - Newtown
Elliot Pritchard - Newtown
Jack James - Newtown
Jordan Jones - Newtown
Remus Blower - Newtown
Sion Rees - Newtown
Tom Garman - Llanidloes
Mathew Bennett - Llanidloes
Andrew Evans - Llanidloes
Jojo Harris - Llanidloes
Jack Astley - Newtown
Josh Matthews - Llanidloes
Ieuan Phillips - Llanidloes
Jack Owen - Newtown
Rowen Evans - Llanidloes
Callum Breese - Llanidloes
Keegan Rees Bradley - Llanidloes
Dylan Rees - Llanidloes
Sion Davies - Bro Ffestiniog
Calfyn Roberts - Bro Ffestiniog
Liam Kelleher - Newtown
Jack Garman - Newtown

Congratulations to you all for making the initial squad

Just a reminder the next training session is at Dolgellau RFC on Wednesday 26th Aug 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Gogledd Cymru South Under 14 Initial 30 Man Squad 2009/2010.

The following players have been selected:

Forwards: - Name & Club

William Jones - Tywyn
Dewi Bowen - Newtown
Dan Owen - Newtown
Shaun Bateman - Bro Ffestiniog
Richard Roberts - COBRA
Huw Parry - Bro Ffestiniog
Joe Mills - Llanidloes
Lewis Swallow - Llanidloes
Oliver Evans - Llanidloes
James Lewis - Llanidloes
Jordan Rodgers - Tywyn
Twm Roberts - COBRA
Mattieu Roussel - Welshpool
Michael Kendal - Tywyn
Andrew Williams - Llanidloes

Backs: - Name & Club

Geraint Davies - Llanidloes
Gethin Jones - Bro Ffestiniog
Tom Williams - Newtown
Tom Astbury - Newtown
Kieron Woolway - Bro Ffestiniog
Erddyn Williams - Harlech
Sam Jones - Newtown
Harry Jukes - COBRA
Jacob Mantel - COBRA
David Carter - Harlech
David Richards - Llanidloes
Dewi Pugh - Tywyn
David Owen - Bro Ffestiniog
Sean Griffiths - COBRA

For those players not selected a feedback release letter has been issued to both the player and the club. We now ask that these players link back up with their local clubs in preperation for the next development session on Sunday Feb 28th @ Cobra rugby club, Meifod, Powys.

Scarlets in Newtown/Bala

Hundreds of youngsters turned out to play rugby with their Scarlets heroes as Newtown RFC played host to the Scarlets squad at their home ground in Powys today (Fri).

The full Scarlets squad were given a warm welcome by a big crowd of members of rugby club as the players took the time to assist with a skills and training session with the junior section.

More than 100 young players aged between six and 16 were joined by Scarlets stars such as Mark Jones, David Lyons, Jonathan Davies, Daniel Evans, Simon Easterby, Regan King and Morgan Stoddart.

The youngsters shone as the players put them through their paces, with plenty of tips and advice given out at the training session.

Nick James from Newtown Rugby Club said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see top rugby stars from the Scarlets taking part in our training session. To see the looks on the faces of our junior members as the Scarlets walked down the hill to our training fields is something we’ll remember for years to come.

“This visit is exactly the type of motivation and inspiration that clubs like ours need to get young players keen to play and learn rugby and to attract new members.

“To play rugby with their heroes is such a great inspiration and the Scarlets players were great and joined in with lots of enthusiasm in all the skills sessions we were running.”

Scarlets captain, Mark Jones, originally from Builth Wells said: “We had a very warm welcome – it’s great to be out in the community talking to young players and encouraging them. We did a spot of talent spotting too, there were a couple of young players that looked very promising for the future!”

Rupert Moon, Commercial Director of the Scarlets who led the tour across Wales which included a trip to the Eisteddfod at Bala and then to Aberaeron RFC, said: “Our mission is to make supporting the Scarlets feel like being part of one big family. To be out and about is exactly what we need to do to spread that message and make people feel part of our rugby region by meeting our players and staff face-to-face.

Player Pathway

Hello coaches,
For your information and in preparation for the coming season, below is the link to the WRU player pathway, providing guidelines and laws relating to age groups from Under 7's to Under 19's
http://www.wru.co.uk/downloads/pdfs/WRU-Rugby-Pathway2008.pdf