More than 200 pupils from schools across Cardiff were taught first aid skills for free at the sessions, which were held at the Millennium Stadium the day before Six Nations home games.
During the sessions the pupils also got the chance to see the Wales team in training at the captains run and meet current and ex-Wales players such as Justin Tipuric, Ian Evans and Scott Quinnell.
Research shows that each year, around 200,000 people visit A&E in Wales after being injured while playing sport.*
Jon Phillips, St John Wales’ Director of Training said, “This is another element to our existing partnership with the WRU. We originally teamed up to create a bespoke Rugby Emergency Aid Course for adults at grassroots rugby clubs across Wales and over 150 courses have been funded by the WRU since the start of last season.
“Our vision is to have a first aider on every street in Wales and these courses are helping us achieve this.”
WRU Head of Group Compliance Julie Paterson said, “We’re delighted to build on the strong foundations of our relationship with St John Wales and continue to grow the partnership to create safer rugby environments as well as giving young people the opportunity to gain skills. This partnership supports our own plans to ensure the sustainability of rugby clubs in Wales by equipping players, coaches and volunteers of the future with core skills.”
Albany Primary School in Cardiff was one of the schools which took part in the free sessions. Wil Howlett, Deputy Head teacher said, “We all know how vital first aid can be if you are injured on or off the pitch. The session taught the pupils the skills needed to save a life and will build their confidence to be able to deal with real-life situations.
“I’m glad to see St John Wales and the WRU ensuring that young people across Wales learn first aid. The students really enjoyed the sessions and they were really pleased to receive their first aid certificates from the rugby players too.”
The trainers are all provided by St John Wales with courses covering the basic rules of caring for injured people in emergencies from calling for an ambulance and putting someone in the recovery position to treating choking, severe bleeding and giving CPR.
St John Wales and the WRU now hope to roll the first aid training scheme out to rugby clubs across Wales.
Any Welsh rugby club interested in volunteer training initiatives please contact Claire Thomas, Club Operations Advisor – Volunteer Support & Recruitment via email cthomas@wru.co.uk or 029 20 822438
