Elen makes World Cup squad

Lewis confirms World Cup squad
15 July 2010, 10:29 am
By Graeme Gillespie

Wales head coach Jason Lewis has added the final pieces to his selection jigsaw by confirming his IRB Women's Rugby World Cup squad.
Lewis had initially named 23 players, leaving three spots open, however Alex Stokes has been withdrawn which has meant four players being added to the finalised squad.
Woodbridge second row Louise Rickard, Bath prop Caryl Thomas, Dolgellau centre Elen Evans and Loughborough full-back Elinor Snowsill have been confirmed in what Lewis describes as a Welsh side which will enter the World Cup as underdogs in a tough group boasting world champions New Zealand, 7s champions Australia and South Africa.

"We named 23 to start with but it was always going to be the fact that there were 23 at that point of time who earned the right to go. But the squad knew if people weren't performing there was always the opportunity to change players and put others in.

"Now's the time where we've got to pick 26 and one player hasn't quite made the progress due to injury, as a result we've left her out of the squad and four others will now come into the squad of 22 to make the final squad of 26," explained Lewis.

Rickard was delighted to earn her call-up for her fourth World Cup. The ageless Rickard has moved from wing to second row and admitted the news took her by surprise.

"It was a total shock when Jason rang to let me know. I wasn't expecting the squad to be finalised until a couple of more weeks so it came out of the blue. I didn't really know if I would make it - the other times I suppose you take it for granted that you are going to be in the team but when you are right on the edge it means that much more to you."

Lewis added: "I'm really happy with the squad which we've got. I know it is a cliché but it is a real mixture of youth and experience. I think some of the young players who have come in have added some vibrancy and mixed things up a little bit. They've certainly shown they deserve their place here and I think there is a good spirit in the squad.

"Going into the World Cup, we're underdogs. If you go on line or read any press releases, Wales is always mentioned as the last name in the pool.

"I think people are writing us off in favour of the bigger names. Australia - World Cup winners at 7s, South Africa - because of what their male counterparts do and world champions New Zealand - they are fantastic. So nobody gives us a second thought, that's great, that suits us down to the ground, and that's a good place to be."

The World Cup will be staged at Surrey Sports Park and the Twickenham Stoop between August 20-September 5 with Wales kicking their campaign off against Australia on the opening day of the tournament.

Wales Women's World Cup squad (confirmed):
Forwards: Jenny Davies, Lowri Harries, Catrin Edwards, Rhian Bowden, Gemma Hallett, Shona Powell-Hughes, Louise Rickard, Rachel Taylor, Catrina Nicholas, Jamie Kift (captain), Sioned Harries, Lisa Newton, Caryl Thomas

Backs: Amy Day, Laura Prosser, Awen Thomas, Naomi Thomas, Mared Evans, Clare Flowers, Ceri Redman, Mellissa Berry (capt), Caryl James, Non Evans, Elinor Snowsill, Elen Evans.

U12 & U13 GCS Trials

Ladies/Gentleman,

Gogledd Cymru South will be hosting a Provincial Trial for next seasons U12 and U13 players on Saturday 31st July, 10am to 12pm at Bala RFC. If your club/school feel you have players good enough to play provincial rugby, could you please contact me with their details and inform them of the trial day. I want to make sure that all players in our province have this opportunity, so could you please make sure that the relevant people are informed.

Diolch,

Dai

dhiggs@wru.co.uk
07881584500

Paul John 7's Clinic

Paul John the current World Cup winning coach of the welsh 7’s team and Sport Wales’s coach of the year is intending doing a Rugby 7’s coaching clinic on the afternoon of Monday 5th July at Colwyn Bay RFC, 1.15 to 3.30pm.

This is a rare opportunity to utilise one the worlds best coaches at rugby 7’s and with 7’s becoming an Olympic sport in 2012, participation and exposure is only going to increase.

Any coaches interested in attending the clinic, could you please reply to the email.

Provincial Presentation Night

The first ever provincial presentation night took place at Newtown RFC on Friday May 14th. With over 150 attending, the event was a huge success. The support on the night was a gauge on how much support has been shown over a very successful first season.

The players were treated to several presentations plus a provincial tie.

Player Awards went to:
U12's - Josh Jones (Newtown RFC / Llanfair High School). Shortlisted Aron Roberts (Bro Ffestiniog / Ysgol Y Moelwyn)
U13's - Sam Jones (Llanidloes RFC / Llanidloes High School). Shortlisted Elliot Pritchard (Newtown RFC / Welshpool High School).
U14's - Dave Carter (Ysgol Ardudwy). Shortlisted Dewi Bowen (Newtown RFC / Ysgol Llanfyllin).

Many Thanks for all who supported/helped out!

Provincial Coaches Required

Hello everyone,

Please circulate this information around your clubs or you may be interested yourselves.

SEASON 2010 -2011

Gogledd Cymru South

We are currently looking to fill several vacancies within our coaching structure. We currently run U12s, 13s, and 14s provincially but are looking to expand this to U15s and U14s Girls for the 2010 / 2011 season, as a result we require additional coaches at several age groups.


Positions required are:
U12's - Head Coach, Team Manager & Assistant coaches
U14's Girls - Head Coach, Team Manager & Assistant coaches



If you have the time and inclination and would like to help out in general or think you may have a skill set that would benefit provincial rugby.

please contact Dai Higgs on 07881584500 or dhiggs@wru.co.uk

GCS Presentation Evening @ Newtown RFC Friday 14th May

Ladies/Gents,

Format for GCS presentation evening is as follows:-
6.45 to 7pm – arrive
7pm to 7.30 – Presentation by Marc Roberts (WRU Regional Performance Development Manager)
7.30 to 8pm – Buffett
8pm to 8.15 – Presentation (Highlights of season)
8.15 to 8.30 – Player of the Season Awards

GC U14 team v Welsh Exiles

Congratulations to all the boys selected for the upcoming game v Welsh Exiles at Newtown RFC on Sunday 9th May, 2pm kickoff.

1 Jordan Jones (East)
2 D.Bowen (South)
3 Dan Owen (South)
4 Ryan Jones (West)
5 J.Roberts (West)
6 Daffyd Parry (East)
7 Richard Roberts (South)
8 Joe Mills (South)
9 Jamie Jones (East)
10 Morgan Williams (West)
11 David Carter (South)
12 Cameron Davies (West)
13 Tom Astbury (South)
14 Ryan Parry (West)
15 Connor Kendrick (East)
16 Jordan Talbot (West)
17 Eifion Roberts (West)
18 Dan Colclough (East)
19 Jake Lovett (West)
20 Cai Jones (West)
21 Gez Davies (South)
22 George Gardner (East)
Stand By Players
23 Will Jones (South)
24 Cai Davies (East)

GCS Presentation Night!

Friday 14th May 7:00pm Newtown RFC

There is to be a GCS presentation night for the U12's through to the U14's, all past and present players are invited to come and join the end of season celebrations.

The night will consist of the Player of the season trophy, Provincial tie awards (players who have played two or more games qualify), and a RGC delivery on the academy set up along with a brief talk on next season pending provincial fixtures.

The cost is £10 per player (parents pay for food on request).

RGC 1404 U16 v Dragons @ Llanidloes RFC Friday 30th April 7pm Kickoff

1. Oli Suter (Mold)2. Luke Williams (Mold)3. Sion Hughes (Llangefni)4. Sam Parry (Llandudno)5. Toby Twigg (Whitchurch)6. Huw Worthington (COBRA)7. Dafydd Rees Jones (Denbigh)8. Alex Pope (Mold)9. Rhodri Mayor (COBRA)10. Emyr Gwynedd (Mold)11. David Bowen (Mold)12. Rhys Williams (Mold)13. Russell Jones (Wrexham)14. Daf Jones (Llangefni)15. James Strong (Mold)
16. Tim Back (Rhyl)17. Ben Salisbury (Whitchurch)18. Scott Critchley (West Park St Helens)19. Anthony Barry (Llangefni)20. James Burns (Wrexham)21. Morgan Harries (Llandudno)22. Osian Jones (Pwllheli)

GCS v Ceredigion

Gogledd Cymru South ended their season on a high yesterday against Ceredigion at Aberystwyth.

All teams produced their best performances of the seasons with the U12’s losing narrowly 20-12.Josh Jones(Newtown) continued his fine form with a try, the speedy Andrew Williams (Bro) scoring the other. Strong running Daf Thomas (Newtown) kicked a conversion. Aron Roberts (Bro) worked tirelessly and new comers Joe Franklyn(Oswestry) and Huw Jones(Tywyn) produced strong performances.
The U13’s won 29-7 Twm Jones(Newtown) bagging 14 points (2 tries, 2 conversions). Sam Jones (Llanidloes), Jack Owen (Newtown) and Gwidion Roberts (Bro) used their pace and power to score their customary long range tries. Elliot Pritchard (Newtown) produced several try saving tackles at Fullback. This was a well deserved victory to a team that has been growing all season.
The final game of the day saw two highly skilled and committed teams battle it out, with the GCS U14 showing how good they can be, coming away with a 54-5 win. Joe Mills (Llanidloes) put in his best performance of the season, with his appetite to run at the Ceredigion defence. Dave Carter(Harlech) showed he has power as well as an abundance of pace, and Gez Davies(Llanidloes) continued his fine vein of form. Tries Dave Carter 3, Gez Davies 2, Sean Griffiths (COBRA) 1, Joe Mills 1, Tom Farrell (Dolgellau) 1. Conversions Dewi Bowen (Newtown) 3, Tom Astbury (Newtown) 3.
Great end to a very successful first season of Provincial Rugby!

RGC 1404 U16 v Dragons @ Llanidloes RFC Friday 30th April 7pm Kickoff

RGC 1404 U16 continue their preparations for next seasons Age Grade Championship with a friendly against the Dragons at Llanidloes RFC on Friday 30th April 7pm kick off. This Championship is the breeding ground for future welsh internationals, and the RGC side will contain several local provincial players (Squad to be sent when confirmed).

Please show your support!!!!

Final Provincial Game

Ladies/Gents,

Just a reminder that it's the final training session and game of the season this weekend.
U14 training Friday 23rd 7pm at Newtown RFC
U12 & U13 training saturday 24th at Newtown RFC

Games v Ceredigion Sunday 25th at Aberystwyth RFC.
U12 - 11am
U13 - 12.30
U14 - 2pm

New Boys at Centre of Development

Congratulations to the following boys who have been invited to train at the Centre of Development at Llanidloes. This is due to them making the provisional squad for RGC 1404 U16's.
Rhodri Mayor - COBRA, Llanfyllin High School
Huw Worthington - COBRA, Llanfyllin High School
Toby Twigg - Whitchurch, Llanfyllin High School
Bramwell Yallop - Machynlleth RFC, Ysgol Bro Dyfi
Nathan Evans - Machynlleth RFC, Ysgol Bro Dyfi
Jake Hazelhurst - Newtown RFC, Newtown High School

Congratulations to the Selected Boys!

Ten boys from the Gogledd South province have been selected for the RGC 1404 U 14's training squad and all are in contention for the pending team announcement to play in Newtown against The Welsh Exiles on May 9th.

The boys have all worked hard on and off the field this season and their inclusion is just reward for the effort.

Will Jones, Dan Owen, Dewi Bowen, Richard Roberts, Joe Mills, Huw Parry, Tom Williams, Harry Jukes, David Carter and Tom Astbury all head into the mix to put their case forward at three training venues one in the West, East and South.

Canada U17 v RGC1404

North Wales game v Canada now taking place at wrexham rather than Colwyn Bay. Same time ko. Tonight