Ospreys help Ogmore Vale reignite junior section

Along with Bridgend Player Development Officer, Tom Cole, officials looked into the demographic of the local community and decided to attempt to reignite the junior section of the club.

Having held successful holiday sessions, over the Easter holidays, Ogmore Vale began motions to put coaching staff in place to hit the ground running for the coming season.

Local schoolteacher and stalwart of Ogmore Vale RFC, Scott Bryant, then contacted the Ospreys Coach Development team for its support at the club.

Coach Development Officer, Dan Owens attended Ogmore Vale RFC earlier this summer and with nine willing and able volunteers participating he ran a WRU Tag Leaders Award, qualifying all nine and assisting them in taking their first steps onto the coaching ladder.

With the coaching team at the club growing, it is important for the new coaches to have clear guidance and moving to the opposite end of the spectrum, David Lake, local fireman to the valley and Ospreys Player Development Pathway Coach is currently undertaking his UKCC Level Three qualification to help progress and propel Ogmore Vale RFC's first team back up the divisions.

Having played throughout the valley and across the Bwlch mountain at Treorchy RFC, David will be able to offer valuable advice and guidance to these novice coaches on how to conduct themselves and engage the young players to maximise their enjoyment and enthusiasm for the game.

Dan Owens Commented:

"It is important that as a small nation, the opportunities to play rugby are maximised. You never know which one of the young players within your session may be the next Shane Williams, Dan Biggar or Alun Wyn Jones.

"Ogmore Vale have identified a need within the valley, and are working hard to provide a valuable opportunity to children of the area to participate in physical activity and more specifically rugby union.

"Being a close knit community within the valley, Tom Cole has held meetings with both Ogmore Vale and Nantymoel RFC representatives, and each are in support of the other. In turn, the Ospreys Community Department offers it full support to both clubs to maximise the value of the experience they offer to their players and their families. We also wish them every luck for the coming season throughout the age groups."

Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, Andrew Hore, added:

"The work carried out by our development team with Ogmore Vale RFC is indicative of everything we stand for at the Ospreys. We are 100 per cent committed to developing local talent, and by working closely with the clubs in the region we aim to increase both playing and coaching numbers.

"Dan and Tom are to be commended for their excellent work, which will have a real impact on the rugby community in the Ogmore Vale area."