Scott Quinnell has been coaching a team of people who have either never played rugby in the past and others who are returning to the game – albeit in a new format. Two other former Wales captains, Ken Owens and Siwan Lillicrap have also been members of the coaching set-up.
Quinnell has assembled a squad of players from all parts of Wales and the former international who was capped by his country on 52 occasions has enjoyed witnessing the development of his squad from a playing and a personal perspective:
“All team members have done extremely well during the past three months with the T1 training and getting into the game.
“I’m so very proud of them all . It’s been an unforgettable experience for each and everyone of us.”
World Rugby has launched T1 Rugby, the world’s first non-contact sport that fully reflects the unique characteristics of rugby, to supercharge participation and engagement by making the sport more relevant and accessible to young people.
With the mantra of ‘a game for everyone, played by anyone’, T1 Rugby has an emphasis on fun, fitness and inclusion and will provide a fun, welcoming, time efficient and safe environment for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, reflecting the international federation’s mission of a global sport for all.
Significantly, it is the first non-contact form of the game that reflects the characteristics of rugby, including lineouts, scrums, kicking and a breakdown, while remaining simple to play. It contains many of the attacking and defending aspects of rugby, requiring players to make the same decisions.
In trials, players have been able to pick up the rules in less than 20 minutes. The feedback from participants has highlighted the simplicity and reinforced the rugby feel of the game.
Rhian Roberts is a key squad member and also a trainee coach who has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of taking part in the journey provided by “Stryd i’r Sgrym”.
“Rugby has always been a big part of my life – as a child attending rugby matches with my dad plus as a former player for Piod Pinc – Tumble Ladies RFC. Sadly to due to medical reasons I cannot participate as a player but am thrilled to be given the chance to be trained professionally as a RFU rugby coach Level 1 and to be chosen as Stryd i’r Sgrym team coach.
“Undoubtedly it’s been memorable for everyone involved.”
Follow the journey of Scott Quinnell’s squad on S4C. Stryd i’r Sgrym 30/01/2024 9pm.
O’r Stryd i’r Sgrym is produced by Whisper Cymru based in Cardiff, part of international entertainment production company Whisper.
The series has been commissioned by Iwan England at S4C. The Executive Producers for Whisper Cymru are Carys Owens and Siôn Jones, along with Producer / Director Lynne Thomas-Davies.
