Cymru am Byth

There was a great article on scrum v a week ago with the panel, Jonathan Davies and Phil Kingsley-Jones reflecting on a piece made by Rick O'Shea about what impact the RWC has had on Wales.

Though we cant say we had the ultimate success, we didn't even match our best result at the RWC, a young team full of promise competed well with some of the best, played some great rugby, impressed the World and made our small population very proud again.

What has made me even more proud is the way that this has influenced certain initiatives inside the WRU to heed the advice so many have hollered almost despairingly at the WRU, the Welsh Assembly, our local councils, our schools and even London that financing sport at school level is imperative to a healthy and happy nation.

The WRU, the Welsh Assembly, Schools and even local businesses have taken some magic steps towards encouraging a stronger schools rugby set up within Wales.

I have been adamant for too long that we have let Schools rugby die over the last thirty years in Wales and that has been the reason we have not had the wealth of talent of by gone eras. Our Schools Rugby is nothing compared to any of the leading nations in the game, this has to have been a major cause and effect on the sport within Wales.

Maybe the influence and the admiration for the effort of the Welsh Squad in New Zealand this Autumn can really start to spark some good at the very shoots of grass root rugby in Wales. Great to see people talking about our long term future.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15614842.stm

Shaun Edwards has also stated that he will be available to assist coaching from Under 16 to Under 20 levels. Great News too...!

Sounds good IF positive change is made but it's a bit soon 2 months after a WC to be celebrating as we'll have to see if any of these initatives are implemented or if these people are just getting some free PR off the WC 'success'.

Fingers crossed though that combined with the Academies that a strong schools rugby system can mean loads of high quality youngsters can come through and playing numbers can increase. And who knows maybe the increased number of WQ professionals could make another region viable in the future.

It's funny coz I was discussing with my old man the other day about how poorly funded and organised school sports is - as my school Stradey a very strong rugby school had nothing for football, cricket or any other sport while the other schools in the town where all strongly football focus with just a little bit of effort on cricket and rugby.
We should be trying to encourage all sports and implement a strong rugby schools system to complement and feed to the strong rugby union league system and national team we have in this country (which we don't in other sports)

I agree that it is to early to judge, but the initiatives are exemplary. The focus and dedication to what is ultimately a very long term goal will be difficult but we are focussing on the right areas.

Considering the shambles the WRU were in over ten years ago I am very happy to say that I am extremely proud of the way that they are taking a lead and we are seeing the results of good work in the way that we have so many young players in the squad, performing well against the best in the world.

I believe a great deal of that has to be attributed to the cleverness and inspiration that coaches and management from outside of Wales have brought to our Rugby. They have shown alternative ways to achieve a goal we aspired to. Likewise so many of them have been inspired by the passion for the game in Wales.

How come these stories go un discussed?



"Rhondda Schools left their trip to New Zealand with their heads held high after taking their Southern Hemisphere opponents to the wire in three pulsating games of rugby.

The full Wales senior squad turned up to watch the Rhondda Under-15s play against Hamilton High, dubbed the unofficial world schools champions.

And the Rhondda boys were denied a famous victory after No.8 Harvey Connolly crossed the line just after the final whistle sounded.

Rhondda Schools Rugby, supported by Rhondda Rugby Initiative, gives youngsters the chance to develop and extend their social skills and networks.

Selected from six community comprehensive schools; Ferndale, Porth County, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail, Treorchy and Ysgol Gyfun Cymer, the players are encouraged to develop and improve all aspects of their lifestyles.

Former rugby stars Chris Jones and Neil Boobyer work hard to keep the organisation flourishing."



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhondda/2011/11/10/rugby-names-turn-out-to-toast-stars-of-the-future-91466-29747591/#ixzz1dnL13zRW

That's impressive fair play - I do wonder why some threads get ignored though (although it's better than having some of the English trolls and Wums destroying the threads...)

Ha ha ha...! To true


Neil Boobyer appears to be doing some great work here. I had no idea that Rhondda Schools had even been to play in NZ let alone done so well.

A massive experience for the lads and something to put them in great stead for the future...

Especially when you think of how many players in Wales teams throughout the years have come from the Rhondda. THere is probably not far off half the current squad?

north wales rugby is shocking at school level, i live in the wrexham area and my school had a welsh u16 player, a widness RL player (only receantly changed to league) 3 Rgc players, 5 other good rugby players in my year
year below had 3 rgc u15 players and we had one match which we one 12 tries to 1 (cant remember conversions)
we then had a 7's tournament within wrexham and had two teams and one team went throught the tournament without a single try being scored against us (the other team lost to the "a" team by 1 try) yet our school was still pro football despite winning like 2 matches in 7 a year!

maestegmafia wrote:
Neil Boobyer appears to be doing some great work here. I had no idea that Rhondda Schools had even been to play in NZ let alone done so well.

I didnt know rhondda schools were allowed into new zealand (or anyother country) LOL

It was an under cover Pillaging exercise. Check eBay for kiwi stuff..!

ahh I see up to their old tricks again I c lol

Ha ha ha...!

Should really, the lads from over the hill have been well behaved for the last ten years, in fact I never suffered any trouble. But some of my friends up in blaengwynfi lost cars when it was bad.

Looks like boobyer has turned them back into decent rugby men.

Look at the list of players to come from the rhondda it is quite impressive. Current team has Gethin and Rees both ex ponty and warriors players.

Even for Wales Rhondda is a hellhole.

Not suprising when an area's industry is systematically pulled apart and destroyed and 50,000 people emigrate.

Are things getting any better ecomonically ?

SafeAsMilk wrote:Even for Wales Rhondda is a hellhole.

Can we just return to calling you Cyril, it seemed to suit you better.

As ever unsurprised that you rear yourself to throw out an ill mannered quip in a discussion about Welsh rugby. But I will answer you because I want the record put straight. And please notice how as a repost I didnt list a number of less than green and pleasant pastures in your country...



No the Rhondda is not a Hell Hole....!

It may have been the butt of some of OUR jokes before, but it has changed for the better.

The work that people like Neil Boobyer and the National Rugby Development Manager Jason Lewis, through Rugby, is there to help give the kids something to aspire to. Which is all any area with little work and a lower than average wage bracket needs. The Welsh Assembly have also been magnificent in developing areas like the Rhondda, trying to bring a community, once proud, back to work.

This thread is about exploring these excellent initiatives, I am sorry that we confused you by making a small joke that you thought you could continue to lambast the welsh with, turning a thread with purpose in to a pathetic bun-fight exploring your xenophobia to its trolling best but no...!

Stay on topic or go elsewhere...!

It is good work they are doing but it doesn't change the fact that the area is full of scrounging dole-mongers. That attitude needs to change before real progress is made.

Yes, there are places all over that have those problems. It just seems that South Wales has much more issues than other areas.

SafeAsMilk wrote:It is good work they are doing but it doesn't change the fact that the area is full of scrounging dole-mongers. That attitude needs to change before real progress is made.

Yes, there are places all over that have those problems. It just seems that South Wales has much more issues than other areas.

so now it's gone from just the Rhondda to the whole of South Wales, I wish someone would tell the hundreds of thousands of your compatriots that live here just what it's 'really' like and maybe then they'd go home.

There are some nice holiday cottages,

just close the thread, it's obvious it's just a magnet for the English wum's/trolls

No turkster.

There is no reason to close a thread because one pathetic individual wants to troll.

Stay on topic or move somewhere else.

No insults please, there's a good chap.

Here is a website linked to Schools Rugby throughout the United Kingdom

Welsh results below

Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf 23 15 1 7 490 223 8 4 74

Llandovery College 12 10 0 2 415 117 9 2 51

Coleg Morgannwg 8 5 0 3 199 87 4 1 25

Whitchurch High School 9 4 1 4 40 51 0 3

Christ College 11 2 1 8 105 297 2 1 13


http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/default.asp

I remember when my old school, Llanelli Boys Grammar School, used to get the likes of Millfield down to play us and we'd beat them, it'd be great if Welsh schools are up to that standard.

it would be magic. The Likes of Wellington, Millfield etc etc are fantastic Rugby Schools.

Is Llanelli Boys Grammer what used to be Steboneath or whats now Graig? (CCTA Carmarethenshire College).

and good to hear some praise for Jason Lewis - he's a good guy - though I must confess a bit of bias as he's my cousin in-law (or maybe just cousin, not sure how it works)

The boys Grammar school became the Graig, the year after I joined, and the girls Grammar school became Coedcae.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:
and good to hear some praise for Jason Lewis - he's a good guy - though I must confess a bit of bias as he's my cousin in-law (or maybe just cousin, not sure how it works)

My missus chips in that he is possibly your second cousin?

Anyhow, JL deserves a lot of praise, he has a fantastic empathy both with the game and the community, a very bright young man who hopefully has a big future putting forward and overseeing such progressive long term plans for Welsh Rugby.

Yup lets hope so - though I've seen the pressure it puts on his home life and my cousin (his missus) as he has to do a lot of travelling and when he was in charge of the Wales women's team he was away even more during the 6N.

Thanks to Mrs Maesteg as I really don't understand all this extended family stuff.

Cheers Turkster, I went to Graig after Stradey and it's a good college now though I imagine changed quite a bit from your day. I grew up by Coedcae, it had much better facilties than Stradey being an English school...

A lot of it's the same, I was quite surprised when I was walking around it recently how much was left, but the new all glass front bit was built on the old 1st team rugby pitch, lots of memories there, not all good mind.

I can imagine lol.

There's a resonably new astroturf pitch at the back of the building and new Health & Beauty and Sports Science facilties at the right hand side (as you look at it). Also a new (and very expensive) canteen at the back, next to the Hall.

Though admittedly I haven't been there for quite a few years so maybe it's changed even more, but I think the foyer looks quite good.

Like you say, good memories, though most of mine involved rock music and alcohol rather than rugby...

my 2 eldest kids have just finished their A-Levels there, and my youngest one has just started, so I've walked around it on open evenings and parent evenings, some bits are identical to how it was, but the canteen has changed, but not position, it was there before. I left in 1982 and it was a pretty rough school then, it's calmed down a lot. Stradey used to be our biggest 'enemies' there was many a fight on the shared pitches, glad those days are over for today's kids sake.

Sorry to make you feel old but I was born in Morrison hospital in 1983 and left Stradey in 2000 ...

But yes both Stradey and Graig are a lot calmer now.

The region has teamed up with Swansea Council to deliver community based rugby coaching for young children across the city.
Scores of young children have already attended the courses held at the council's Active Swansea leisure centres, with many going on to develop their talent with the junior sections of local clubs.

The courses, led by community coaches, are aimed at children between the ages of five and seven, and aim to provide the ideal start to rugby.

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. They 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.

Andrew Hore, Ospreys Chief Operations Officer, said:

"We are delighted to be able to work with Swansea Council to present these courses throughout the city. They present us with a fantastic opportunity for us to reach into the community and really make a difference.

"They will provide a good introduction to rugby to local youngsters, which can only be a positive thing for our long term vision of sustained success, developing homegrown talent to wear the Ospreys shirt, and also, will help tackle the ongoing battle that the wider community faces to keep today's young children active."

The courses are run at Active Swansea's Bishopston, Cefn Hengoed, Morriston, Penlan and Penyrheol leisure centres.

For more details including costs and enrolment dates please visit www.activeswansea.com or contact one of the centres.

Bishopston Sports Centre 01792 235040

Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre 01792 798484

Morriston Leisure Centre 01792 797082

Penlan Leisure Centre 01792 588079

Penyrheol Leisure Centre 01792 897039

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Sorry to make you feel old but I was born in Morrison hospital in 1983 and left Stradey in 2000 ...

But yes both Stradey and Graig are a lot calmer now.

it's ok, I've seen your details over to the right of the page, although 'Location: Cardiff (born in Llanelli)' may now have to be changed to 'from Llanelli' after that confession.

True - but I was only born in Morrison hospital as the hospital in Llanelli wasn't taking maternity cases at that time (much like now)

With games against Blues South and RGC 1404 next week for the Ospreys U16's, coaches have named the teams for both fixtures.

Eyasses team to face Blues South at Leckworth Stadium, Cardiff, Weds 23/11/11 KO 7.15pm

15 Ollie Banner

14 Lewis Evans

13 Jack Anderson

12 Joseph Thomas

11 Martyn Davies

10 Luke Price

9 Jakob Williams

1 Harrison Walsh

2 Luke Davies

3 Zakari Bevan

4 Adam Beard

5 Matthew Dodd

6 Max Easey

7 Callum Bowden

8 Jonathan Fox (Capt)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Kurt Leadbeater

17 Stephen Powell

18 Lewis Kirby

19 Jack Perkins

20 Ollie Thompson

21 Niall Popham

22 Tom Evans

23 Jordan Addersley

Squad members not involved are available for selection for their clubs on Sunday

Eyasses team to face RGC 1404 at Tata Steel RFC, Port Talbot, Sun 27/11/11 KO 2.00pm

15 Ollie Banner

14 Adam Green

13 Joe Gage

12 Tom Evans

11 Luke Jenkins

10 Joseph Thomas

9 Chay Smith

1 Lewis Kirby

2 Michael Evans

3 Stephen Powell

4 Kane Grant

5 Adam Beard (Capt)

6 Oliver Thompson

7 Jack Perkins

8 Dafydd Harvey

REPLACEMENTS FROM:

Kurt Leadbeater, Sam Martin, Harrison Walsh, Zakari Bevan, Rhys Livingstone, Max Easey, Callum Bowden, Jonathan Fox, Niall Popham, Kandi Buka , Calvin Wellington, Luke Price.

Decided to help with the coaching of the local under 13s. Do my bit and pass on some enthusiasm if nothing more.

Bought a pair of Kooga Boots for only £18 in the sales as i was worried that my ageing addidas bought in about 1984, last time I helped out as a coach, would be laughed at. Pus I think they had been bagged and not cleaned after their last outing they are probably better as compost rather than footwear.

Looking forward to monday night.