Euro road trip spreads Ospreys message

Hundreds of young rugby players from eight different countries will have hear the Ospreys message over a two week period as the region looks to grow it’s already hugely successful European Summer Camp

 

Operated in conjunction with Swansea University, teenagers from Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Sweden have enjoyed learning about Ospreys life and culture, on and off the field, since the acclaimed Summer Camp was first launched back in 2012. 

With the Ospreys looking to grow the programme substantially ahead of its fourth year in 2015, Ashleigh Walters, International Rugby Education Programme Manager, has undertaken a road-trip across the continent to spread the Ospreys gospel.

Powered by Euro Commercials, an existing commercial partner of the Ospreys, Ashleigh’s trip is seeing him visit rugby clubs and festivals in Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and France, clocking up over 5,000 kilometres in just 13 days.

Yarnie Guthrie, Ospreys Commercial Manager, said:

“After three successful years of the Ospreys European Summer School, hundreds of aspiring rugby players from the continent have spent time in the region, learning rugby the Ospreys way.

“Undoubtedly, the demand for such a programme is growing, which is why Ashleigh has headed off to meet some of the people from various clubs and national unions who have expressed an interest in coming to Swansea to experience a real taste of Ospreylian life, on and off the field. He’ll be meeting coaches, players and administrators and will show off what is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of life exactly as it is for an Ospreys player.

“2015 will be the biggest and best year yet for the Ospreys European Summer School. We are extremely grateful to Euro Commercials for their ongoing support, and the provision of another fantastic vehicle to power Ashleigh’s trip across Europe.”

Euro Commercials, who provide Mercedes Benz sales, service and parts support from four depots along the Welsh stretch of the M4, have already provided the region with a new Sprinter 313CDI for the 2014/15 season, which is used for carrying team kit, rugby and medical equipment to away games across the UK and Europe in the PRO12 and new European Rugby Champions Cup.

Established in 1979 by Nick Williams and David Salway, Euro Commercials has grown to employ over 150 staff today.  Recent investment in facilities has seen the opening of a state of the art MOT facility in their Bridgend depot, while the Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea service teams are open 24 hours during the week, enabling them to service your van or truck while you sleep.

The company has a long-standing rugby link through Gareth Edwards CBE, who is a shareholder in Euro Commercials.

Rebekka Salway, Marketing Manager, Euro Commercials, commented:

“We are delighted to once again be able to offer practical support to the Ospreys. We are well aware of the impact that reliable transportation of equipment has on their business at all levels. For this project, Ashleigh needed comfort and reliability to allow him to deliver the Ospreys message right across Europe and we were happy to assist.”

Youngsters attending the Eurpean Summer Camps enjoy a daily programme of rugby skills sessions, with key support staff from the region delivering lectures on a wide range of related topics such as nutrition, conditioning, sports psychology and analysis, providing the teenagers with valuable knowledge to take home with them as they continue their rugby development.

In addition English Language Training Services, based at the University, provide daily language lessons tailored to the needs and abilities of the individual candidates. Meanwhile, a parallel programme of Coach Development is available for coaches who attend from the various overseas clubs represented at the Summer School.

The students are also offered the opportunity to experience Ospreylian life through a number of organised activities, as well as touring the Liberty Stadium and visiting the regions Llandarcy training base.