New long-term Rugby Development vision at WRU

Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey has unveiled the Welsh Rugby Union department’s strategy to underpin the long term needs of the elite and community game in Wales.

Lewsey detailed plans implemented to increase participation across all levels of rugby, unify the pathway for players and coaches and reinforce the cultural values of rugby.

Following the review Lewsey undertook after taking on the role last year, his department has overseen:

1) The creation of school-club hubs across the country with 43 schools employing full time rugby officers to increase participation within schools across Wales and help strengthen links to clubs, improving the sustainability of club rugby and long term player involvement.


The initiative is set to benefit in many ways, developing good role models within the school, providing playing opportunities for boys and girls of all abilities and creating leaders with the introduction of coaching and refereeing qualifications through the Welsh Baccalaureate.

2) The introduction of a new rugby pathway system which is based on an aligned, season structure to allow school, club and representative rugby to flourish simultaneously and without conflict.

3) The implementation of a clear, national philosophy and skills curriculum for players and coaches, introducing and refining skills in a fun environment in a progressive manner. There is a top down approach to the philosophy which intrinsically links the national team to the development of the game.

Coaches are being offered workshops and resources in order to support them in the delivery of the philosophy and age appropriate pathway model, which includes modified rules of the game designed to safely introduce the various elements of the game.

Every club and school will receive a full set of WRU pathway booklets outlining the philosophy, pathway and clear, age and development specific expectations for players, coaches, parents and volunteers.

“Our role is to implement the necessary strategy, structure and processes within the afforded resources to underpin the long term needs of both the elite and community game in Wales," said Lewsey.

“The priorities we identified and the plans we have put in place set out to reinforce the positive cultural values of rugby within an efficient and coordinated system and season structure.

“Through an improved school competition structure and the school-club hubs, we aim to raise the profile, standard and participation levels of school rugby.

“By increasing participation within schools, strengthening the links to clubs, and working closely with club volunteers, we aim to improve the long term sustainability of club rugby.

“We are connecting the senior, national team to those on the ground, both in our philosophy and in practical terms – the national coaches are fully engaged and will be delivering coaching workshops to the new school-club hub officers.

“There is now a coherent season structure and pathway which is conducive to developing players according to their age and development stage, growing lifelong friendships and helping players, coaches, match officials and administrators reach their own true potential within the game.

“It is key that we reach out to everyone involved in the game and the appointment of Caroline Spanton as our new National Women’s Rugby Manager is an important step in creating equality of opportunity for boys and girls.

“We recognise that there is no magic wand, but we firmly believe we are putting the right processes and structures in place to make a huge impact on the state of the game in Wales.”

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley welcomed the new scheme.

“As a small country, it is vital that we work together and maximise our resources," said Howley.

"We need a vibrant school and club scene in order to increase participation and raise standards so that all players are given the optimum chance to excel.

“By working with those who develop young players, we are ensuring that our national playing philosophies are adopted at a younger age, which can only help what we are trying to achieve in international rugby.”

Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera Head Teacher Matthew Evans added: “As a school we have seen the real value of having a rugby officer in developing the self-confidence of boys and girls in rugby, but it also contributes towards their confidence within the whole school community as they contribute to extra-curricular activity.

“It has helped develop skills in the Welsh language and enhanced pupils’ progress in their academic and vocational courses.

“Simply and succinctly, developing an individual’s skills in one area can have a transformational impact on that pupil’s attitude towards their school, their education and their personal development.”

School-Club Hub Officers by Region:

Ospreys
Pencoed Comprehensive        Dean Ronan
Pontarddulais                        Josh Humphries
Olchfa                                  Luke Lewis
Brynteg                                Ben Thomas
Bryntirion                              Kyle Tayler
Gower College                       Steve Jones
Ystalyfera                              Owen Phillips
Dwr-y-Felin                            Ricky Jones
Cefn Hengoed                        Tom Sloane
Bryn Tawe                              Llywarch ap Myrddin
Morriston                                Nick Jenkins
Porthcawl                               Greg Davies

RGC 1404
Ysgol Brynhyfryd                     Jim Salisbury
Llandrillo College                      Andrew Williams
Glan Clwyd                              tbc
Ysgol y Berwyn                        Euros Jones

Dragons
Llanwern High                          Llyr Davies
West Monmouth School           Craig Everett
Lewis School Pengam              Mike Hook
Bassaleg                                 Patrick James
Coleg Gwent Ebbw Vale            Lewis Roberts
Brynmawr                                Dorian Jones
Tredegar                                  Adam Powell
St Julians                                Chris Conford
Newbridge                               Jake Thomas

Scarlets
Ysgol Dyffryn Amman               Gareth Potter
Queen Elizabeth High               Gethin Robinson
Ysgol Bro Dinefwr                     Tomas Marks
Ysgol y Strade                          Deiniol Evans
Bro Myrddin                              Aled Griffiths
Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth        Owain Francis
Ysgol Dyffryn Taf                      Geraint Evans
Sir Thomas Picton                   Gethin Greaves
Coleg Sir Gar                           tbc

Blues
Eastern High                           Leigh Davies
Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf                 Rhydian Garner
Fitzalan High                           Stuart Clarke
Llanishen High                         Harry Trelawny
Aberdare Community School     Gavin Williams
Treorchy Comprehensive           Chris Jones/ Neil Boobyer
Crickhowell High                      tbc
Ysgol Gymraeg Cymer             Ben Daniels
Ysgol Plasmawr                       Sion Wyn Davies

Yep, Lewsey is a great bloke!

good to see that the WRU has a vision and a plan to optimise age group rugby participation . wish our FFR dinosaurs had 1% of that.

IIRC, part of this procedure is to separate the Schools and the Acadamies of the Regions, so they are not in competition with each other as it has in the past, there was acrimony between the 2 as each obviously wanted the players, as long as they are sensible with each other and not play the better players twice a week and burn them out.

It looks all to be a pretty smart situation they are working on there wayne

what would be helpful is if north wales had any kind of rugby side to them in the first place, and that there is only 1 academy -.-

maestegmafia wrote:It looks all to be a pretty smart situation they are working on there wayne

Yes MM, so long as I said both sets of teams DON'T select the STAR players for midweek AND weekend games it could hinder their growth and cause injuries, they need to consult each other sensibly.

welshy824 (new) wrote:what would be helpful is if north wales had any kind of rugby side to them in the first place, and that there is only 1 academy -.-

The academy up there seems to be doing a good job. Plenty of the under 20s team were gogs