Development Officers look for future Ospreys

The Player Development Officers in each of the Ospreylian Unitary Authorities are looking for potential stars of the future over the coming weeks.

The PDO’s will be out watching club and school games as they look to identify talented young players in the U14/Yr 9 age group. During this period, staff will aim to watch every school and club side at this age group to make sure they don’t miss any players.

This identification process started back in the summer with 170 players coming in to Llandarcy to participate in skills afternoons with Ospreys Development Staff, assisted by young Ospreys Tom Prydie and Will Taylor. The process continued during October half term when over 180 players were invited in for skills and games activities.

Despite the number of players already seen, the PDO’s aren’t satisfied that they have seen every player in the Ospreys region so now they wil go out and watch games to take a closer look at the players in action and to help them finalise their squad selections by January.

The squads selected will then train once a week for 10 weeks and play three games towards the end of March.

These three Centres of Development will be established to underpin the existing Dewar Shield Sides at U15s, supplying players who step up to that level next season, and the aim will be for squads of approximately 45 players.

Please contact the local Development Officer if you require more information.

Bridgend

Tom Cole thomas.cole@ospreysrugby.com/ 07875 359969

Swansea

Andy Williams ADWilliams@wru.co.uk  / 07584 488271

NPT

Andrew Thomas andrew.thomas@ospreysrugby.com  / 07814 781015