The Urdd, the largest youth organisation in Wales, has joined forces with the WRU to help boost rugby participation in Welsh schools, develop skills for the national game, increase the use of the Welsh language outside the classroom and strengthen cultural ties.
The Urdd is the WRU’s national schools sevens partner and will, over the course of the spring and summer terms, run events and tournaments around Wales which will see around 12, 000 school children participate in rugby sevens along with Touch and Beach rugby.
The flagship event for the new partnership will be the Urdd WRU 7s at Pencoed held over three days on April 4, 5, 6.
With more than 200 teams registered for the Pencoed tournament, it is already set to be the biggest national schools sevens ever held in Wales.
It was no coincidence that the initiative was launched on St David’s Day. WRU chairman Gareth Davies said, “We are thrilled to be working more closely with the Urdd. Rugby and the Welsh language are both integral to our identity as a nation and this partnership will help both organisations achieve key goals.”
WRU Head of Rugby participation Ryan Jones said, “This enhanced partnership with the Urdd will further help achieve our purpose of More People, More Often with more Enjoyment and More Success.
“Playing sevens rugby within schools around Wales is a perfect model to help increase participation in a fast-paced, enjoyable, more convenient form of the game, which is an area we will focus on going forward.
“In conjunction with the Urdd, we will also run touch tournaments and beach rugby, two other exciting new forms of the game to attract new participants and reach new audiences.
“These tournaments and activities around Wales are key to attracting new boys and girls to the game, players who can go on to be part of clubs and cluster centres and enjoy the game for years to come.”
Urdd Chief Executive Sioned Hughes said: “This new partnership with the WRU is a great example of how Welsh organisations can work together to offer children and young people in Wales memorable experiences. As a result of this partnership, we are holding more competitions, to a wider range of participants in various locations across Wales.”
The launch was held at Pencoed RFC, the venue of the forthcoming Urdd WRU 7s, and supported by Wales’ record try scorer Shane Williams, a huge advocate of the seven a side game.
He said, “Enjoyment is key. If we want more kids playing rugby and staying in the game for longer, we have to make it fun. What better way to create lifelong memories than to have fun playing rugby with your school friends.
“Sevens, touch and beach rugby make rugby accessible to boys and girls of all abilities. Along with the fun element, they are also great for general fitness and skills to help players better themselves for the 15 a side game.”
WRU Head of Rugby Geraint John said, “Urdd WRU 7s tournaments are a breeding ground for Welsh talent and this enhanced partnership recognises the role they play in developing skills and providing a competitive performance platform.
“There is no doubt that sevens helps develop potential future professional players for both the seven a side game and 15 a side rugby.
“Many of our international players shone in Urdd 7s tournaments such as Scott Williams who represented Urdd 7s in Dubai along with many other current internationals and several Wales Women and Wales Women Sevens players. We hope to continue, and improve this conveyor belt by increasing the standard of the tournaments, through upskilling coaches and teachers, and raising the profile of the events, such as the new national flagship tournament at Pencoed.”
More information about the rugby competitions, visit: www.urdd.cymru/sport
