More than 200 Primary School pupils got their first taste of rugby last week at the Wern in Merthyr.
The Cardiff Blues’ Get into Rugby day, held in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union, targeted Year 5 and 6 pupils from all Primary Schools in Merthyr, who may not have experienced the sport previously.
Pupils were treated to games and skill sessions at the home of Merthyr RFC, while Cardiff Blues Community coaches led workshops for the teachers.
Community Manager Nadine Griffiths delivered a Tag Leaders Award to upskill the teachers’ knowledge of delivering rugby to primary school children.
This included presentations of coaching methods, roles and responsibility, and session building, as well as practical deliveries on the pitch.
She said: “It was a great day, with a lot of children experiencing a great day of rugby, some for the very first time.
“It is also a huge opportunity for us to help upskill the primary school teachers, giving them ideas of skills and drills they can take back to their schools to use with all children.
“It’s vital as a region that we try to assist wherever we can, especially in our schools where the teachers really do help us in building the foundation for all children to stay active and enjoy sport.”
The event at the Wern was the first of several scheduled across the region and is already proving of benefit to pupils.
Jamie Williams from Twynyrodyn Primary School said: “The ideas were fun, easy to use and accessible to pupils of all ages and abilities in order to develop their rugby skills or foster an initial interest in the game.
“I've already used a few of them in P.E. sessions, during multi-skills sessions and plan on using them during the next rugby session we have.”