The Ospreys will be launching a new partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council next week, aimed at promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle to youngsters in the area.
With the senior team returning to the town on Friday 31st January to play Sale Sharks in an LV= Cup clash at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field, the game kicks off an exciting new partnership between the Ospreys and the local authority which will see the region become even more closely involved in helping to nurture the next generation of local rugby stars and also encourage other members of the local community to take part in physical activity.
The partnership will see a number of coaching workshops set up, while there will be plenty of support for rugby in schools, and the Ospreys will also be involved in the council’s youth leadership development programmes.
Welcoming the partnership, Bridgend County Borough Council Leader Mel Nott said:
“Sport is a fantastic way to engage with young people and motivate them, and I’m sure that this partnership will result in many benefits for local families.
“As well as helping to promote healthy living and active lifestyles, sport also teaches young people invaluable life skills such as teamwork and respect and can help build confidence too. The Ospreys have tremendous experience of developing activities with schools, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about their work with the council’s Active Young People Department to ensure that local young people and under-represented groups can improve their quality of life.
“The Ospreys are highly influential within the world of rugby and beyond and we hope to use this influence to make Bridgend County Borough a better place to live, work and visit.”
Yarnie Guthrie, Ospreys Commercial Manager, said:
“Ospreys Rugby have always had fantastic support from Bridgend County Borough Council when it comes to hosting games in the town, and in recent years have worked closely with them to not only ensure the success of the events but to really make a difference to the lives of local residents.
“Our successful Schools Programme means we are engaging regularly with hundreds of junior school children in the county each academic year already, helping to create better young people and in turn better communities. Our discussions with the Council ahead of this game have enabled both parties to identify a range of issues that are faced by local people and, in response, targeted programmes to tackle those issues that can really make a difference in Bridgend.
“Working in partnership with the Council we will be developing activities with schools and community groups, supporting the development of confidence and skills in young people and promoting community health and wellbeing.
“This is a perfect example of how we can work together with local authorities for the benefit of the community. Developing better people in Ospreylia is at the heart of our vision, and this shows that we are true to our word.”