In addition to presenting an exciting tournament, the competition will also offer a key opportunity for player identification with Dragons Academy Manager Will Thomas leading the scouting party to look for next season’s Under 16 Dragons players.
“We are delighted with the way that the Dewar Shield teams in our region have developed to date with the backing of the region,” said Thomas.
“To take this project onto the next level, we will be looking to bring players through from these teams into the regional age-grade side with a view to identify the potential Dragons players of the future.
Following the selection day, a regional Under 15 side will operate until the end of the season, offering the selected players access to regional training to ensure that they are given every developmental opportunity before trials for the Under 16 side take place in April.
As there will be a Welsh exiles team for Welsh qualified players who live outside of Wales, we would like to call on all eligible players who would like to be considered for the Dragons Under 16 side for next season to contact Terwyn Williams by email: terwynw@hotmail.com
“Given our location, we are the natural region for exiled players to represent. We take our responsibility in this area seriously and want to continue to build on our exile contingent,” added Thomas.
“Even if players are not able to make this date, with future identification fixtures coming up at all age levels, we would urge all Welsh Exiles with ambitions to play national age-grade, regional and professional rugby to get in touch and join the likes of Colin Charvis, James Harris and Will Harries who have come through as Welsh Exiles.”
