Over 1,200 people turned up at the Liberty Stadium on Friday morning to wish the Ospreys good luck before they head off to Dublin tomorrow for Sunday's RaboDirect PRO12 Final against Leinster.
Pupils from schools throughout the region attended the first ever open training session hosted by the Ospreys at their HQ, many of them brandishing good luck banners and messages to show the level of support for the team in their local communities ahead of the big end of season finale.
Among the schools who visited were Gowerton Primary, Plasmarl Primary, Ysgol Gymraeg Blaenddulais, Ystradgynlais Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Tirdeunaw, Ysgol Gymraeg Felindre, Gowerton Comprehensive, Dyffryn Comprehsenive and Birchgrove Comprehensive, while Head Coach Steve Tandy’s old school, Tonmawr Primary, were also at the Liberty to cheer their region.
Those present were treated to a rare glimpse of how the team prepares for action, watching the conditioning team put them their paces before a tough hour long rugby session.
Matthew Davies, a PE teacher from Birchgrove Comprehensive, said it had been a great morning for the pupils:
“It was a fantastic treat for the children to come along to the Liberty and watch their heroes training for such a big game. Everybody felt really honoured to be part of the preparations for the Final. Our school has a great relationship with the region, with regular school visits and we make good use of the Ticketing Initiative to allow our children and their families the chance to support their region in action and be part of the cause, but this was something else today. Everybody at Birchgove wishes the Ospreys the very best of luck for Sunday.”
Ospreys skipper, Alun Wyn Jones, said thanks to the fans who turned up:
“It was a phenomenal sight, to see so many people turning up to watch us training. We really appreciate all the support we get from the local community, and for them to come to the Liberty in such numbers to wish us good luck is fantastic. It’s important now that we go out to Dublin this weekend and put on a performance that everyone in Ospreylia can be proud of.”
To view our Facebook gallery from the session click here