The Ospreylian coastline has been alive with the sights and sounds of hundreds of schoolchildren enjoying rugby this week at special beach tag rugby festivals.
Now in their third year, the festivals have seen WRU Participation Officers for the Ospreys region invite every primary school in Ospreylia to participate in a series of day long events which are held at beaches in their area, giving them a chance to enjoy rugby in the unique seafront environments of.
On Monday, Tom Sloane hosted the first event on Swansea Bay in front of the 360 Beach and Water Sports Centre, while on Wednesday more than 500 children, the highest number ever, had their day at Rest Bay in Porthcawl, hosted by Mikey Williams.
Liam Evans, Neath Port Talbot Participation Officer, will also be hosting a festival on Aberavon Beach before the end of term. WRU/Ospreys Regional Community Manager, Ben Rose, said:
“The beach tag rugby festivals are proving hugely successful, growing year on year as more and more schools get involved. It’s fantastic to see both the children and school staff fully engaged with the Participation Officers and their Community Coaches.
“The size of this year’s festivals are a clear indication that this is an initiative that works in terms of local children engaging in rugby who all hopefully be inspired to play the game regularly.
“We are fortunate enough in Ospreylia to be able to offer the chance for children to enjoy rugby in the unique surroundings of our fabulous coastline, and to see so many of them enjoying themselves with rugby ball in hand in such a great environment is fantastic.
“The aim of events like this is to bring bigger numbers into contact with the Ospreys, helping to grow interest in the game at grass roots level across the region. They are a vital part of the long term strategy of making the region sustainable on and off the field, with these children being the players, coaches, administrators and supporters of the future. If we can inspire that passion for rugby now then the Ospreys, and Welsh rugby as a whole, will benefit.”