Head Coach Kylie Wilson leaves for the three-match competition against England, Canada and Canada A tomorrow (Thursday) with a 26-strong squad thirsty for the intensity of international competition.
Wilson believes the trip could provide a real boost to the senior Women’s team’s assault on the 2010 World Cup and has commended her player’s fundraising tactics which have ensured it could happen.
Lowri Harries, Sian Williams, Becky Newton, Sian Williams, Carys John and Angharad Kent-McCormack have all received contributions from the business sector including the likes of M Hioms Building Contractors, Welsh Dragon Tyres, Parker Plant Hire, Castell Howell Foods, TCW 2003, Llanmoor Development, Newcastle Higher Community Council, Antur Insurance Services, Allprint, Angharad Kent-McCormack and the Maltins limited.
Other players have also put their hands in their own pockets in order to improve their experience on the international stage.
“We want players to have a ‘world-cup’ like experience in order for them to develop an understanding and appreciation of the intensity of playing and preparing for multiple games in a short period of time,” said Wilson.
“As the next women’s world cup is in 2010, we expect some of the current U20 squad to be a part of this tournament so we feel exposing them to this environment will benefit them in preparing and coping with a world cup.
“We’ll be looking to develop the players skill levels and tactical understanding and at the very least reach the final of the competition.
“As a management team, we are very excited about the group of players we have selected to represent Wales U20 in Canada. We have players who have senior caps (Carys John, Heledd Stephens, Amy Thompson, Mared Evans) and 17 year olds who will have their first taste of international rugby.”
Women’s Elite Rugby Manager Sophie Bennett has been responsible for organizing the trip and believes the dedication the youngsters have shown will pay dividends for the future.
“We are still very much talking about amateur rugby players at this level and without the intervention of local businesses to provide funds for trips like this they would not be possible,” added Bennett.
“We have been impressed by the response from those businesses in Wales we have contacted, with many of them more than keen to support the women’s game in this way and hopefully we will be able to show our gratitude with our performances on the pitch.”
FIXTURES:
July 11th: Wales v Canada A – 5:30pm
July 14th: Canada v Wales – 7:10pm
July 16th: England v Wales – 7pm
July 19th: Championship match for top 2 teams – 4pm
Wales Women U20 Squad: Rebecca Newton (Cardiff Quins), Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic), Angharad Kent McCormack (UWIC), Issy Jones (Nant Conway), Amy Lawrence (Neath Athletic), Sian Williams (Neath Athletic), Lorna Crompton (Newport High School Old Boys), Carys John (UWIC), Victoria Owens (Whitland), Carys Thomas (Llandaff North), Amy Thompson (Cardiff Quins), Lisa Newton (UWIC), Megan Snape (Aberystwyth), Natalie Williams (Neath Athletic), Hannah Lerwill (Llandaff North), Paris Nicholas (Caerphilly RFC), Yasmin Leung (Caernarfon), Elinor Snowshill (Cardiff Quins), Katie Bevan (Pontyclun), Bethan Preece (Neath Athletic), Levi Hallett (Pontyclun), Heledd Stephens (UWIC), Sophie Francis (Pontyclun), Rachel Green (Cardiff Quins), Rhianydd Morgan (Neath Athletic), Mared Evans (UWIC)
