Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are well established across the UK as invaluable ways to provide young people with the opportunity to develop Important skills for life and the workplace through volunteering, physical activity and gaining specific skills.
Based on this know-how, and the WRU’s own aims of encouraging participation in all aspects of rugby from playing to refereeing, coaching and administration of clubs, a partnership between the organisations will enable young people to complete the vast majority of their Duke of Edinburgh’s award at rugby clubs throughout Wales.
Young people interested in achieving D of E awards will now, with the agreement of their award leader, be able to work towards completing the awards by being a pro-active member of a rugby club. The physical requirements can be met through training and playing for club teams, the volunteering commitments could involve helping a club to log its match information or developing a social media presence for the club, while the skills young people can acquire through clubs and go towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards could include achieving a refereeing or coaching qualification.
Wales and Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, an ambassador for Duke of Edinburgh having himself achieved a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award, added his support for the partnership: “Having personally benefitted from the activities of both the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the WRU, I am really pleased to see them collaborating to provide greater opportunities for young people across Wales; to both complete their DofE Award and boost volunteering within the WRU.
“This new partnership will provide a greater range of challenges for young people to push themselves and realise their true potential. I fully support this new initiative and hope that more young people can follow in my footsteps”
WRU Head of Group Compliance Julie Paterson welcomed the partnership. “As a Union, we recognise the importance of supporting young people in gaining valuable life experiences which can benefit them in a competitive employment market. Young people are vital in the safeguarding of the future of grassroots rugby in Wales and this collaboration will help encourage not only participation but volunteering within local rugby clubs.”
Stephanie Price, Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award –Wales said “This a great opportunity for young people doing their DofE to get involved in the wider opportunities available through sport and this partnership with the WRU will ensure that both Rugby clubs and DofE participants get the most of the experience.”
From September DofE leaders will be able to signpost participants to their local clubs and resources will be available to inspire young people to take part. Young people who are interested in completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award should make contact with their local DofE centre first, CLICK HERE for details.
Rugby clubs can obtain further information and support by contacting: clubops@wru.co.uk
