Taking centre stage on the opening day will be the pupils of Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn, in Bala, who have teams in all four Girls Schools finals at U12, U14, U16 and U18. It is likely to be a Gogs’ take-over at the home of Welsh rugby.
The fact one school has been able to send four teams to the Welsh capital is the culmination of almost a decade of partnership and hard work, with the efforts of WRU Hub Officer Gareth Euros Jones at the heart of the success story.
“We only have 340 pupils in the secondary school in Bala, but we have boys and girls teams in almost every year group. It all starts in the Primary Schools that feed Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn and this is the culmination of a co-ordinated effort,” said Jones.
“I spend two-and-a-half days each week in the Primary Schools and then the same at the senior school. The whole emphasis is on participation and inclusion, rather than performance, about growing the game.”
So far, so good. The Godre’r Berwyn U16 teams came down south in 2018 and 2021 and won the national title and a number of players have progressed from the school team into Welsh representative sides down the years.
There is also an active movement at Bala rugby club to restore their women’s team after a 10-year gap. The Junior section at the club has filled up with players who have been touched by the WRU programme as the effort described by Jones as “a long, slow burn” begins to really take hold and lay solid foundations.
Efa Jones and Saran Jones were both included in the Wales U18 squad preparing for the 2024 Six Nations Festival later this month, Mali Jones was capped at U18 last year and former pupil Kate Davies went on the Wales U20 to North America last summer.
The links to the senior set-up are also there, with Teleri Davies, Ceri Redman and Lowri Blaine (nee Jones) having been produced in the area. Blaine will be a very proud mother on finals day when she sees her daughters, Annie and Elsa, play in the U12 and U14 finals.
“It is a big day for the school, the players and their parents and we intend to make it a day to remember for them. As I’ve already said, it is all about the day, rather than the result,” added Jones.
“The Head of PE at the school, Beverley Jones, is joining us on the bus, but unfortunately the head teacher, Bethan Emyr Jones, can’t make it. They have both been huge backers of the work we do and without their support this wouldn’t have been possible.
“The girls are blazing a bit of a trail at the moment, but I’m also proud that we have a team in every Year for the boys even though we only have 25-30 boys at each level in the school. We’ve offered them the opportunity and they’ve grasped it.
“With the girls, we’ve got a squad of 24 players at U12, 20 at U14 and U16 and 14 of the 24 girls in the sixth form make-up the U18 side. They all then feed into the Gwylliaid Meirionnydd Girls Hub based at Bala.”
Hoping to ensure the four trophies on offer don’t all head north will be Bryn Celynnog, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Dur, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr and Neath Port Talbot College.
Former Wales international Sioned Harries took the Bro Dur Year 7 side to Principality Stadium last year, where they lost 51-12 to Ysgol Bro Pedr in the U12 final. They will be hoping for better fortunes after battling their way back to the home of Welsh rugby for the U14 final.
Bryn Celynnog were beaten finalists at U14 level last year and will be hoping take home some silverware in the U12 final that kicks off proceedings.
#RTP24 WELSH SCHOOLS CUP FINALS
U12: Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn v Bryn Celynnog (11.30pm)
U14: Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn v Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Dur (1.30pm)
U16: Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn v Ysgol Bro Dinefwr (3.30pm)
U18: Neath Port Talbot College v Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn (5.30pm)2023 WINNERS
U12: Ysgol Bro Pedr 51 – 10 Ysgol Bro Dur
U14: Bro Dinefwr 28 – 12 Bryn Celynnog
U16: Idris Davies School 34 – 24 Ysgol Bro Teifi
U18: Gwent College 17 – 0 Llandovery College
