Former Neath Port Talbot College student Duncan Jones returned to his old haunt to formally present the college rugby team with their new playing strip, which is supplied by the Ospreys as part of the new college rugby programme.
Officially launched at the Liberty Stadium last month, the new initiative is being operated in conjunction with the three further education colleges within the region, Bridgend College, Neath Port Talbot College and Gower College Swansea, with all three establishments working closely with the Ospreys’ Elite Youth Development department to provide an unrivalled rugby programme at each of their campuses, with the aim of ensuring a constant flow of quality young players through the system.
The new programme focuses on coach and player development, following the Ospreys philosophy and system of rugby to create a stronger sense of regional identity/ Ospreys staff will provide support and assistance to the college coaches, who in turn will follow a specially created development plan allowing them to enhance their own skills.
The three colleges are all being supplied with brand new Kooga playing strip that incorporates Ospreys branding, as well as that of their associates, Italian clothing brand Freee – Back to Life,and Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed, both of whom are supporting the initiative.
Duncan met with the Neath Port Talbot College squad, presenting the new strip to Coach Geraint Kathrens and skipper Ben Beck. It will be worn for the first time when they face Pembroke in the Welsh National Colleges League on Wednesday 8th December.
Duncan Jones said:
“It was a pleasure to return to Neath Port Talbot College and present the new rugby strip to the college team. I think it’s fantastic to see the Ospreys and the colleges working together so closely, it can only bode well for the future of rugby in the region.”
Mark Dacey, Principal, Neath Port Talbot College, said:
“We’ve worked with the Ospreys now for many years. We share facilities at Llandarcy, and we see this as the next step really. It’s an investment by the Ospreys not only in future players but in the community, and we think it’s a very positive initiative with many benefits to all concerned.”