The WRU will provide support for the Urdd’s regional and national tournaments via its participation officers, and provide extra training for school teachers in the delivery of Sevens rugby.
It is a demonstration of the value the Union places in the shortened game, with clear benefits evident not only in improved skill levels in both attack and defence, but in the confidence gained through competing in packed stadia around the world and playing against the best rugby playing nations.
The whole experience has helped propel so many Wales Sevens players to go on and represent their Regions and Wales – since Wales’ return to the IRB Sevens circuit in 2005, 24 Wales Sevens players have gone on to play for Wales, starting with James Hook in the first season and Alex Cuthbert the latest to graduate from Wales Sevens to Warren Gatland’s National Team.
As the Wales Sevens team prepares to compete at the Hong Kong Sevens this weekend, Urdd Gobaith Cymru will hold its biggest ever Urdd National Sevens tournament at Llanelli this week (Wednesday and Thursday) with over 1500 players from 130 teams competing at venues around the town. The event is a key selection tool for the URDD National squad which regularly competes at the Dubai Sevens. The tournaments have been the launchpad of many rugby careers including three of Wales’ Rugby World Cup Sevens winning team who came through the Urdd system – Lee Williams, Jevon Groves and Tom Isaac, all of whom have gone on to become professional players.
Wales centre Scott Williams also progressed to senior rugby having competed at Llanelli for Coleg Sir Gar, and Dubai for the Urdd Sevens. He joined the Coleg Sir Gar Sevens team at the announcement of the partnership.
“I thoroughly enjoyed playing Sevens rugby, it improved my game massively, in both attack and defence and being selected by the National Urdd team to play in Dubai alongside Wales and the other national Sevens sides was amazing.”
Urdd Sports Director Gary Lewis said, “It’s fantastic to have the Welsh Rugby Union as a key partner in this way because we have been able to create a clear pathway for Sevens from Under 11 through to Wales Sevens. There is a huge enthusiasm for Sevens rugby amongst school children and teachers in Wales because it provides an opportunity for everyone to play rugby, even those children who may not go on to play the fifteen a side game, and also smaller schools who may not be able to raise a full XV.”
WRU Partnership manager Adrian Evans added, “With our national Sevens side competing hard on the IRB Sevens circuit, Sevens is certainly becoming more of a focus for us and this announcement sees the Urdd become our national delivery partner for Sevens in schools which goes hand in hand with our other development work. Sevens certainly helps skills, you only have to look at the likes of Alex Cuthbert who has only come into rugby through sevens.”
