Rhys Webb, Barry Davies and Joe Bearman passed on rugby tips to young players from Bridgend Athletic at a special coaching clinic organised by Ospreys Player Development Officer Tom Cole.
The trio took time out from their preparations for the new season, which gets underway with a game against Lyon next weekend before Russia visit Liberty Stadium on Sunday 21st August, to spend a couple of hours at Newbridge Fields where they got stuck into a training session with young Ospreylians from the Athletic’s tag and mini age-grades.
For Webb, it was a welcome return to his home club, and he said he enjoyed the evening:
“I try to get back to the Ath’ as often as I can, so it was great to take part in the coaching sessions with some of their age-grade teams. It takes a lot of work from lots of volunteers to run a club like this so to be able to come along and just do something to help in this way is the least I can do for the club where I started off.
“I remember being a young boy just like these, and the buzz you’d get if you ever got the chance to meet someone who played professionally. Hopefully they all enjoyed the session as much as us players did and will want to one day progress to maybe wearing the Ospreys shirt in the same way I’ve managed to.”
Development Officer Tom Cole said:
“It was a hugely successful evening and all the young players from Bridgend Athletic thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The same goes for Rhys, Joe and Barry, who wasted no time getting stuck into the coaching sessions and had a great time passing on expert tips and knowledge to the children.
“It went so well that we are in the process of a follow-up evening so that the older age-grade teams at the club can also benefit from such an experience. Player development is hugely important to us, and evenings like this one are a great way for the Ospreys to really connect with clubs in the region.
“The interaction between our players and the youngsters at the clubs is invaluable and can really help to inspire the next generation of Ospreys, so it’s fantastic to see the likes of these three players really getting into the spirit of things and leading by example."
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