Ospreys in the Community, who were recently shortlisted for Organisation of the Year by Sport Wales, have engaged with 20,000 young people in just 6 months.
The Ospreys in the Community team have enjoyed a quietChristmas after another busy 6 months around Ospreylia and beyond. In 2016/17, the Foundation’s first full year of operating, the charity engaged with 25,000 people. But even that huge figure looks to set be eclipsed this season, with over 20,000 young people having worked with OitC since July alone!
The re-launched TRY Primary Schools Programme continues to go from strength to strength with more than 4,500 primary school children reached through the programme in the last 6 months, up 200% on the previous half year.
There has also been a hugely successful run of Ospreys in the Community Club Nights which saw more than 1,200 players at 10 different clubs around Ospreylia enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills from the OitC coaches, whilst also having lots of fun with Ospreys Rugby players. The Club Nights also saw fantastic successes in helping the teams to grow, with 60 new players recruited across the region.
Ospreys Rugby camps, powered by Lovell Rugby, also continued to grow in Summer 2017. Thirteen camps were held at venues across the region and for the first time ever a senior camp, aimed at 13 – 17 years olds, sold out. 2018 camps kick off in February half term, for more information or to book, click here.
Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager Ospreys in the Community, commented on his team’s busy run:
“It’s been the busiest period for OitC since the Foundation’s inception in 2015 without a doubt. To have engaged with almost as many people in 6 months as we did in the whole of the previous season is huge for us and shows the hard work of the team and the incredible support our partners give us that allow us to do it.
“The team almost doubled in size in September, to 10 full time staff, and there are a lot of plans and exciting times ahead, such as our Ospreys Challenge Festival in Porthcawl in the Spring, so I’m sure the next 6 months will be even busier!”
Ospreys in the Community will be kicking off this half of the season with another big event as we ask clubs to “Show Us Your Colours” on Saturday when the Ospreys take on Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium.
Last season over 1,200 people from 18 clubs across the region were at the Liberty Stadium and joined a 19,514 crowd to show their colours, with Trebanos RFC leading the way and winning the prize. But who will the victorious club be this season? The club with the biggest representation will win a signed Ospreys jersey and will take part in a half time parade.
To get your club involved contact tom.sloane@ospreysrugby.com or call the Ospreys in the Community team on 01792 616512. Tickets cost just £2 for players under 16 and £5 for coaches, with adult tickets costing £15, concessions £10 and U16’s just £4. Please note tickets must be purchased via OitC by Thursday 4th January.