Wales international and Ospreys player, Huw Bennett, trained with local club, Tondu RFC this week in support of a Wales-wide initiative to reward junior rugby teams.
The world-class rugby star assisted in the U13 and U14 training sessions, former winner’s of the SWALEC Junior Stars competition, to pass on his invaluable experience to the young, local talent and spread the word about this year’s competition.
Huw Bennett enthused, “I am delighted to give back to the local game by passing on my training tips to junior players. Rugby played a huge part in my development as a youngster, both on and off the pitch.
“The SWALEC Junior Stars competition rewards those U13 and U14 sides that are a shining example for their team, club and community with a chance to train like one of the Welsh squad – an opportunity I would have grabbed with both hands at their age.”
For the third year running, SWALEC, national community partner of the WRU, is inviting rugby supporters, teams and clubs from across Wales to nominate their youngsters for the SWALEC Junior Stars competition.
Four junior teams – one U13 club team, one U14 club team, one girls (U13 – U14) team and one school (U13 – U14) team – will score the chance to play at the National Centre of Excellence with members of Wales’ international coaching staff and team.
Tondu’s U15 team were SWALEC Junior Stars winners last season and joined Treherbert U14, Beddau U15 and Newcastle Emlyn’s U14 teams at the WRU National Centre of Excellence to train with Wales’ assistant coach, Rob Howley, kicking coach, Neil Jenkins, international and Cardiff Blues player, Jamie Roberts and international and Newport Gwent Dragons player, Dan Lydiate.
This season, three finalist teams from each of the four categories will be selected by a judging panel, comprising Jonny Petrie (SWALEC Head of Sponsorship), Ryan Jones (Wales international player and SWALEC Brand Ambassador) and Joe Lydon (WRU Head of Performance and Rugby Development).
It is then up to the 12 finalist teams and their supporters to vote at www.swalec.co.uk/rugby. The team from each category with the most votes will win this exclusive rugby prize.
The 2011/12 competition will be open for entries from Friday 25th November and the deadline will be on Friday 3rd February.
Please register your interest at juniorstars@swalec.co.uk to receive an application form. Visit www.swalec.co.uk/rugby and follow @SWALEC on twitter for more information and the competition terms and conditions.
