Ospreys duo Rhys Webb and Matthew Morgan took some time out from their busy early season schedule to spend time with Maesteg Welsh U10's.
The pair visited the youngsters to deliver a coaching clinic where they passed on tips and took part in a training session, sharing the knowledge and experience that has allowed them to develop along the same pathway as the youngsters at the club, through the Bridgend District set-up into the Eyasses, representing Bridgend Ravens before finally stepping up to wear the famous black Ospreys jersey.
As well as the coaching clinic, Rhys and Matthew also took along the RaboDirect PRO12 trophy they helped their home region to secure last season, allowing the children to get their hands on the silverware and get their pictures taken with the trophy.
Webb, who made his senior international debut for Wales earlier this year, said that it had been a fun night for everybody concerned:
“Everyone had a really good time and that includes me and Matthew. We are local boys from the Bridgend District just like all the Maesteg Welsh players and if they want to play for the Ospreys when they are older they will have to follow the exact same pathway as we did growing up so it’s great for us to visit clubs likes this as we can relate to the children and they can relate to us.
“Everybody was so enthusiastic and made us feel really welcome there. Hopefully some of the coaching we did with them will help them this season, we wish them the best of luck!”
Scott Hill from Maesteg Welsh said:
“The coaches and parents of Maesteg Welsh would like to thank Ospreys Development Officer Tom Cole for arranging a coaching clinic with Rhys Webb and Matthew Morgan. It was a great event for the children of the club to see their rugby idols up close and to ask them for tips and ideas to improve their core skills. Rhys and Matthew conducted themselves impeccably and werereceived very well by the Maesteg Welsh Mini and Junior teams. They are both a credit to the region and to Welsh rugby, they engaged with the kids really well and made them all feel extremely special. Please pass on my thanks and gratitude.
“Special thanks also to Tom for your continued support for us at Maesteg Welsh JRFC, I personally appreciate all the time and effort that you put into the development of the players in our ecosystem and for the guidance and collaboration you continue to provide.”