Tyler Ardron has introduced his fellow Canadian rugby team to some farmyard volunteering following his visit to Swansea Community Farm earlier this year.
Tyler visited Swansea Community Farm with Ospreys teammates for a day of volunteering as part of the on-going Pitch In campaign, to support worthy causes across Ospreylia. As Canadian captain, Tyler has been keen to show the rest of the Canadian team what it means to belong to the Ospreylian community, whilst they are in Swansea as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015.
Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, Harry Jones, Jake Ilnicki, Jamie Mackenzie and Phil Mackenzie joined in with a range of farm tasks such as mucking-out, maintenance, gardening and helping in the community café alongside other farm volunteers.
The volunteer days are designed to support the farm’s upkeep and for volunteers to learn valuable new skills as well as building confidence within a safe, supportive and stimulating environment. The attendees involved often have health problems, disabilities and work-limiting illnesses and benefit from the outdoor environment, skills training and supportive atmosphere they find at the farm, with funding from Big Lottery Fund helping it all to happen.
Tyler comments: “Community activity is central to the Ospreys philosophy so I’ve really enjoyed being able to introduce my fellow Canadians to the staff and volunteers here at Swansea Community Farm. I was impressed with the farm and the work that they do last time I visited, and so I was keen for the rest of the Canadian team to experience it, during their time here in Swansea. We’ve had a great day and I’m glad to see the rest of my team mates have enjoyed getting stuck in to the farm work.”
Kate Gibbs, Volunteer and Training Officer said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Canadian rugby team to help on our volunteer day. Thursdays are our busiest day with up to 30 adults from different backgrounds and abilities come to make a difference to their community – they really are amazing so it’s great to have been chosen for this an to get to meet some world-class athletes.”