The Ospreys have announced details of the selection process that will take place to identify players for the U16 District teams for next season, along with an U18 Development squad as they look to ensure a broad player base across the region.
As was the case last season, the District and Development squads will underpin the Ospreys age-grade squads, and throughout the summer there will be training sessions taking place as part of the selection process for squads for inter district/regional games.
The Ospreys ensured that the door is never closed to players within the region having identified that a substantial number of numbers players in the senior squad were late developers having not been picked up by the age-grade squads, and as such, are keen to identify any potential that has not yet been selected for an Ospreys age-grade team.
In addition, the Ospreys have been working hard with the WRU District Coaches in order to bring them up to speed with the Ospreys way. This was highlighted in the latest integration night where coaches of the District teams were taken through the latest themes that the Ospreys coaching staff are looking for.
WRU/Ospreys Regional Community Manager Ben Rose lead the event at Llandarcy Academy of Sport, supported with presentations from Ospreys / WRU staff including Andrew Millward, Steve Tandy, Damian Karauna, Dan Owens, Tom Cole and Tony Thomas. The evening cumulated with Alun Wyn Davies, regional age grade scrum coach, presenting on the Scrum in great detail.
All players not selected for the Ospreys U16/U18Squads are invited along with their parents to attend the sessions on the following dates...
Afan Nedd U16s
8th July 5.30pm @ Gnoll Park, Neath - Contact Andrew Thomas on 07814 781015 or go to www.afanneddrugby.co.uk for more details
Swansea U16s
11th July 5.30pm @ Dylan Thomas Comp - Contact Andy Williams on 07584 488271 or go to www.swanseadistrictrugby.webs.com for more details
Bridgend U16s
13th July 6pm @ Maesteg RFC - Contact Tom Cole on 07875 359969 or go to www.ospreysplayerpathwaybridgend.webs.com for more details
n.b. Players must be in School Yr 11 from September, players to attend relevant session dependant on School/Club Unitary Authority Boundaries
U18s Development Squad
11th July 6pm @ Skewen Park, Wern Road, Skewen - Contact Mark Morgan 07825 632882 or email mark.morgan@dwrcymru.com
n.b. Players must be in School Yr 12/13 (1st/2nd Year Youth) from September, players to attend session dependant on School/Club Regional Boundaries