Students from Gower College Swansea have taken their first steps on the rugby coaching ladder thanks to a project run in conjunction with the Ospreys Coach Development team and Dragon Sport that saw them taking part in TAG rugby training courses as part of their studies.
Funded by the City and County of Swansea, students taking part in the programme were able to put theory into practice when they had the opportunity to teach TAG rugby skills across seven primary schools in Swansea over a six-week period, working with children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Schools that welcomed students were St Thomas, Pentrepoeth, St Helen’s, Danygraig, Brynhyfryd, Hendrefoilan and Waun Wen.
Tony Thomas, Ospreys Coach Development Officer said:
“As part of our Community remit, we work closely with a number of organisations throughout Ospreylia and this particular initiative enabled us to support both the promotion of rugby within Primary Schools and the coaching skills of students at Gower College.
“The young people involved had the opportunity to demonstrate these talents and at the same time develop their own life skills, such as communication and interaction with a different age group. The students performed with immense credit, which resulted in the scheme being both beneficial and highly enjoyable for all parties.
“These placements followed a highly successful festival of tag rugby, held at the Elba Sports Centre, once again organised through Dragon Sport and the Ospreys Community Development team.”
Andrew Burns from St Thomas Primary School said:
“The students made a very good impression and worked very hard during their placements, they were flexible to the daily changes that regularly happen within a working school environment.
“They all showed commitment, were reliable and polite and courteous at all times. We would like to wish them luck in the future and we would also be interested in any future coaching schemes.”
The courses were rounded off by a visit from Ospreys players to the squad, where they helped the students to present the school pupils with certificates and Ospreys goodies.
Helen John, Swansea's Dragon Sport Coordinator said:
“Following the success of the scheme we are hoping to run the programme again next year, hopefully with more schools being involved.”