The tournament, which is described as a multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age, will run through to Sunday. It will be available to live stream here, with Wales’ first game coming against Scotland this afternoon at 15:05.
Head coach Jonathan Hooper, who recently oversaw the team’s bronze-winning campaign at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas as part of Team Wales, says the School Games are another step in the right direction for this talented squad.
“We are excited to participate in what should be a highly competitive tournament,” says the former Wales Sevens player. “Our preparations have gone very well. We’ve got a tough schedule on Day One with four games within four hours, so it will take a real squad effort to put us into a strong position for Day Two.”
After success in the Bahamas, some have made Wales favourites going into Loughborough, but Hooper is adopting a more pragmatic approach, adding: “It’s going to be another great learning experience for the players and we are all looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Hooper’s team will no doubt be inspired by the success of their Commonwealth Youth Games teammate, Lleucu George, who became the youngest player to feature in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup at just 17 years of age.
Wales: Bethan Lewis (c); Amy Morgan; Manon Johnes; Maisie Mackenzie; Ellie Morgan; Sara Jones; Kayleigh Powell; Imogen Shide; Lucy Packer; Ffion Jones; Courtney Greenway; Caitlin Lewis.
The official School Games website can be found here.
