The partnership, which allows young people to complete elements of their Duke of Edinburgh Award at rugby clubs throughout Wales, was launched in the summer and has already been a huge success.
Just one of the clubs to have seen the benefits of the new partnership is Haverfordwest RFC. William Ridge, 16 and Daniel Morgan, 15 have played all of their rugby at the club and as well as developing their rugby skills, they are also maturing as young men thanks to the new partnership.
The two boys are one of a number of players from the club’s youth section who have embraced the opportunity to complete the award with involvement in their local club.
Ridge, who is studying for his A Levels at Tasker Milward School, is currently in the process of gaining his Gold Award while Morgan, a pupil at Sir Thomas Picton School in the town, has recently passed his bronze.
“It has been the best experience I’ve had and meant I could pursue my Duke of Edinburgh Award and play rugby at the same time,” said Ridge.
“It’s helped to widen my personality and I think I’m a different person now. It’s got me doing things I wouldn’t normally do.
“The physical section for the award can be done through playing rugby here. I also helped coach at the club as part of the volunteering section.
“It is also beneficial to the club. There’s one boy who still plays for Haverfordwest, having joined in order to do Duke of Edinburgh.”
“The link between the award and local rugby clubs has made it more enjoyable and a lot simpler to do,” added Morgan.
“I’ve got to know some of the boys at the club through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme so it’s helped me to make new friends. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone, it’s a great experience.”
Wales and Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones is an ambassador for the scheme having himself achieved the Gold Award. He said: “Having personally benefitted from the activities of both the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the WRU, I am really pleased to see them collaborating to provide greater opportunities for young people across Wales.
“Duke of Edinburgh is obviously a substantial award and a great deal of effort goes into achieving it. It also helps with self-improvement and the community.
“The culmination is your hike. I went across the Beacons and it helped me to be pretty self-sufficient and pretty independent. Had I not gone into rugby it would have been a massive tick on my CV.
“It’s a good string to have to your bow, a lot of employers see it as a positive as they see you can work in a team, have a bit of independence and think on your feet. In today’s workplace that can be held in high regard.”
And it’s clear Ridge and Morgan are highly respected at their club. As well as helping to nurture the personal development of young rugby players around Wales, it is also hoped clubs such as Haverfordwest will continue to grow and prosper thanks in part to the link with the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“At the moment we’ve got a number of players in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and what we see is the children becoming more outward in their approach,” added Haverfordwest Club Secretary Graham Dalton.
“The combination of what the boys get through the scheme and from playing rugby at the same time can only be of benefit to them.
“The more help they can give to the younger players the better. If the youngsters can see the 16, 17 and 18 year olds giving something back at an early age, maybe the club can get the same back from them in a few years’ time.”
Last year saw more than 11,000 new participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Award across Wales, with the number of people gaining their certificates up by 29 per cent.
The Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are well established across Wales as invaluable ways to provide young people with the opportunity to take part in volunteering, physical activity and to develop specific personal skills.
WRU Head of Group Compliance Julie Paterson believes the partnership is vital in nurturing the development of youth rugby in Wales.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Young people who are interested in completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award should make contact with their local DofE centre first, details of which can be found at http://www.dofe.org/takepart/region.aspx?id=10. Rugby clubs can obtain further information and support by contacting http://ClubOps@wru.co.uk.
