Cardiff under-18 make their return to action on Sunday in the WRU's Regional Women's under-18 Tournament at Ystrad Mynach.
After being put their paces in training at Merthyr RFC over the last couple of weeks, Darren Bool has named a squad of 25 girls for Sunday’s tournament, which are led by captain Gwennan Hopkins.
Kicking off from 11am, Blue and Blacks girls will face their RGC, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons counterparts at Ystrad Mynach, with future rounds set to be held at The Wern and Cardiff Arms Park.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s action, team manager Kira Philpott said: “We’ve had a brilliant few weeks of training, which has been really enjoyable, but it’s also been great to build towards some competitive action on Sunday.
“This is the first time that these girls get to represent the club. They’ve all earned the chance to wear the blue and black jersey and we’ve been able to see their pride and excitement ahead of Sunday.
“Ystrad Mynach is the start of a bigger picture for us. Over the next few weeks everyone in our wider training group will have their opportunities.
“While we’re excited to see how the work on the training ground will be put into action, we’re also fully aware of the long term plan to ensure these girls both enjoy and thrive in their rugby over the future. That’s our priority. It’s a really exciting time for women’s rugby and women’s sport in general, and to be part of that is fantastic.
“There’s the added motivation of Wales under-18 selection on the horizon, and the opportunity to potentially represent their country is amazing for these girls.
“The re-introduction of under-18 representative rugby is a crucial step to ensure a future for women’s rugby in Wales, and the work done by the clubs and the Welsh Rugby Union over the last few months have been important to ensure that.
“Speaking from my own experiences, it’s something that’s played a huge part in my life. I can’t wait to see these girls starting their own journeys.”
Cardiff Rugby academy manager, Gruff Rees, joined the team in training during the build-up to Sunday’s round robin competition.
He added: “It was great to spend a session with the girls up in Merthyr. As a pathway system, we’re passionate about development rugby throughout the club. We’re all representing the same club and the same history so that integration and cooperation is vital to the values of Cardiff Rugby.
“We’re already planning similar link ups in the future, and how we can use the likes of Dan Fish and Craig Everett in sessions, as well as how we can help the coaching team to develop their own skills.
“We want to help where we can, and I’m looking forward to heading down to Ystrad Mynach on Sunday. I’ll be taking my girl with me to watch and it will be really inspiring for her to see girls from a similar area and background given the opportunity to play at this level.
“The quality in training was really encouraging, considering the short time they’ve had together, but it was also pleasing to see their determination to progress and develop their game.
“I’m sure we’ll see their development continue over the coming weeks and months, and seeing age grade rugby opportunities being re-introduced to girls here in Wales is great.”
Cardiff Rugby under-18: Grace Bellamy, Manon Blackford, Seren Carson, Raylee Caviell, Fern Cumine, Chloe Davies, Lowri Davies, Mia Davies, Mya Dixon, Libby Edwards, Gabbby Healan (vice capt.), Gwennan Hopkins (capt.), Katy Hudd, Carly Lloyd, Georgia Morgan, Jasmine Owen, Nell Powell, Nia Powell, Molly Reardon, Popi Redrup, Katie Sims, Rachel Thomas-Evans, Layla Williams, Izabel Wing, Jasmine Young
11am: Dragons v Cardiff
12.30pm: Cardiff v Ospreys
2.30pm: Cardiff v Scarlets
4.00pm: Cardiff v RGC
