Ospreys Bring Rugby Fun For 5-7 Year Olds To

Ospreys Rugby create exciting partnership with "Active Swansea Team" to bring rugby to 5-7 year olds at leisure centres.

The Ospreys community department have launched an exciting new initiative in partnership with the City & County of Swansea's 'Active Swansea Team'. Ospreys community coaches are delivering courses at three of the City's leisure Centres aimed at 5-7 year olds as an introduction to the sport before they move on to club rugby at U8.

The courses are running for a period of ten weeks at each site with three courses running each school year. It is hoped that the scheme will roll out into every Leisure centre in Swansea by the end of this season.

Sean Holley said "These courses are based on the fundamentals of Agility, Balance and Co-ordination which are essential attributes for developing the skills needed for Rugby and many other sports. Sessions have been designed specifically for the needs of 5-7 year olds which means there is great emphasis on fun, teamwork and fair play"

It is hoped that the sessions will prove to be an excellent developmental opportunity for Swansea's clubs with all participants being signposted to their local teams when they complete the courses.

Jason Lewis, Ospreys Community Manager commented "The Ospreys are delighted to be working in partnership with Active Swansea at leisure centre sites. These courses will compliment the work of the WRU/Ospreys development staff by providing 5-7year olds with an ideal start for playing rugby. We plan to work with all of Swansea's rugby clubs to ensure there are exit routes from these courses directly into long term opportunities for rugby participation within the community"

Over 70 youngsters have signed up for the new courses and there will be more courses planned in the New Year. Ospreys Players Lee Bevan, Alun Wyn Jones, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, Ed Sheverington, Huw Bennet, mike Collins, Nicky Walker and Jonathan Spratt gave the children on the camps a perfect send off by attending the sessions before the Christmas Break.

The children enjoyed learning rugby skills with the Ospreys Players helping out. Following the session children were given signed posters of the Ospreys squad. Ben Rose, Swansea Rugby Development Officer commented "the presence of the players at the sessions has be vital in inspiring these youngsters to continue there involvement in the Sport."

To Register your interest in the new courses please contact the Leisure Centres directly on:-

Bishopston Sports Centre, Tuesday 5 - 6pm start date 13th January (01792 235040)

Cefn Nengoed Leisure Centre, Thursdays 5 - 6pm start date 15th January (01792 798484)

More courses are planned at the existing sites, to get on a waiting list please contact the centres directly.

Penlan Leisure Centre, Mondays 4.30-5.30pm (01792 588079)

Morriston Leisure Centre, Tuesdays, 5-6pm (01792 797082)

Penyrheol Leisure Centre, Thursdays 5-6pm (01792 897039)