Today we invite the Ospreys clubs with U15 and U16 sides to sign up for this season’s competition.
The Ospreys Cup is the flagship competition for junior rugby in the region and increases in size and stature each year.
Clubs from Pencoed to Pontarddulais compete on the road to Llandarcy hoping to get their hands on one of four trophies up for grabs.
Last season saw 45 sides compete in what was the biggest competition to date.
WRU Rugby Coordinator for the region, Joe Davies, oversees the competition. He commented:
“A huge amount of credit for the competition has to go to Nathan Johns who works tirelessly to ensure its smooth running. The Ospreys Cup is the pinnacle of the development calendar for clubs in the region. 45 teams competed last year in 150+ matches. With two tiers of competition there really is a place for all teams in the region to compete.”
This year's competition will include the new WRU half a game initiative.
The half a game initiative is a recommendation that encourages clubs to pledge half a game of rugby to every junior player, every weekend. The initiative is breaking new ground for rugby in Wales and separates it from other sports.
Ben Rose WRU Rugby Manager for the Ospreys region added:
“The competition dates are selected based around Dewar Shield and regional age grade games to ensure all players are available for their club sides, and the exciting half a game initiative to be launched by the WRU will ensure all players get game time. We envisage success will come from coaches and teams that develop the entire squad. From a WRU perspective, the measure of success for these teams will be a future increase in the number of players playing youth rugby.”
This year the WRU in the Ospreys Region are looking to lead the way in transitioning players from the junior game. At the Ospreys Cup launch we will be inviting all youth teams to add profile to their leagues for 2016-17.
Ben Rose added: "The WRU understands that in order to grow the game at senior level we need to transition more players through junior and youth rugby. A large percentage of youth players will have played in the Ospreys Cup over previous seasons but we want the number to increase."
The launch night will be held on the 30th of August at a prestigious venue within the region.
Ospreys clubs can sign up for the Ospreys Cup competition at www.ospreyscup.org.