Children across Gwent can benefit from a new initiative formed between the Welsh Rugby Union, Street Games and Cage Rugby, aimed at enticing young children to play the game of rugby.
One club to benefit is Pill Harriers in Newport who have seen significant numbers of children sign up to their Cage Rugby scheme.
Cage Rugby is an alternative form of the game introduced to attract both boys and girls who may not have an interest otherwise, to the game of rugby. Played inside an inflatable square, the game is a simplified form of rugby which can be set up and played anywhere. This is its main attraction, allowing numerous minis and juniors to participate.
Pill Harriers have run an eight week course of Cage Rugby with local children embracing the scheme.
“In the first week we had 20 children taking part and an average of 24 across all of the sessions,” said Norman Parsalle, Sport and Activities Worker for Communities First in Pill.
“We had a dozen children under 11 so we’ve got a ready-made Pill Harriers Under 11 side for next season.
“We are hoping to pick it up in the community and then get the full side going. We’ve also got two coaches who want to be involved so the future looks bright.”
Welsh Rugby Union community coaches form the backbone of this scheme, the aim being to help recruit more young players into local clubs.
“We couldn’t have had the success we’ve had without buy in from the different organisations,” added Mr Parsalle.
“The WRU have been a big part of that with coaches Anthony Palmer, Lloyd Burns and Chris Cornford all having a huge impact.”
The final week of the Pill Harriers’ Cage Rugby scheme saw participants take the game to the home of the Newport Gwent Dragons, Rodney Parade.
There, children from Pill and other local clubs took part in Cage Rugby and the WRU’s new Street Games Assault Course, prior to watching the Gwent derby clash between Newport and Cross Keys in the Principality Premiership.
“The new Street Games Assault Course has gone down well and is running all over the Dragons region,” said Anthony Palmer, WRU Participation Officer for the Dragons region.
“We’ve had 50 kids attend today and recruiting is the main aim. We want to see as many youngsters as possible take up rugby and these alternative forms of the game are an effective way of doing that.”
Angela Chard took her son Jamie, 7, along to the event and said the new Street Stars Assault Course was a success.
“Jamie has been really excited about it and went on the Rugby Stars camp at Risca recently. He’s rugby mad,” she said.
“He plays at Whiteheads and has come here today with friends from the local club. It’s great for the children to be active and the support in the local community is great.
“Jamie has got to know the WRU coaches very well from the camp and it’s great for him and children in the area to get the chance to take part in these types of events.”
For more information on the availability of the Street Stars Assault Course in the Gwent area, contact Anthony Palmer at apalmer@wru.co.uk.
