Ospreys Summer Roadshow Hits The Road!

Members of the Ospreys first team squad will be in attendance at the organisations annual fund-raiser at Cwrt Herbert Playing Fields on Saturday, where they will mingle with carnival goers throughout the afternoon, signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans young and old.

The players will be accompanied by Ospreys staff, including former Neath RFC and Wales legend Paul Thorburn, now Strategic Development Manager at the Ospreys, who will be manning practice nets where people will have the opportunity try their hand out at line-out throwing or attempt to drop a goal or two through a set of mini goal posts.

The event marks the start of a Summer Roadshow that will see the Ospreys going out into the region, visiting a wide range of public events throughout the holiday season ahead of the forthcoming Celtic League campaign as they look to strengthen links with the community. Venues where the Ospreys Summer Roadshow will be seen in the coming months include the National Eisteddfod in Velindre in August andMcarthur Glen in Bridgend.

Mike Cuddy, Ospreys Managing Director, says appearances by the Ospreys at events like Saturday's Carnival are important to the regions plans:

"The Ospreys Summer Roadshow is an important new tool that we will be looking to utilise over the coming months to help build support for the region.

"It's imperative that we forge strong links with all the communities within the Ospreys region in order to continue growing, enabling us to build on all the hard work that has been done on and off the pitch since the beginning of regional rugby. Events such as this one offer a fantastic opportunity for supporters to get to meet the players in an informal, relaxed and fun environment, which can only help us develop stronger relationships with the fans."

Ospreys star Gavin Henson added:

"The players really do enjoy getting out to events like this to meet the fans as it is a way for us to say thank you for the fantastic backing they have given the region, making us the best supported in Welsh rugby.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday, I'm sure it will be a fantastic day for everyone. There'll be plenty of Junior Ospreys there eager to pick up some tips off the lads, and maybe one or two of their fathers won't be able to resist showing everyone how best to take a conversion!"

The Ospreys marquee will be at Neath Round Table Carnival between 12pm and 5pm, with the players present between 1pm and 3pm.