Jamie Roberts returned to his old school this week to launch a ticket initiative that could benefit thousands of young rugby supporters in South Wales
Dozens of primary school pupils at Ysgol Y Wern in Cardiff were given free tickets by the Cardiff Blues and Wales star to come to watch him play against Zebre this Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park, 2.30pm kick off.
Every school in the region can claim 40 free tickets to the match to mark the last home game of the season under the new Cardiff Blues Schools Ticket Initiative.
Roberts, who will be playing his last home match before moving to play in France, was quick to praise the initiative and also his old school in helping develop his sporting interest.
“It’s incredible to see how the school has expanded. When I was here, there were probably only about 200-250 pupils and now there are close to 500.
“It’s doubled in size but everything seems a lot smaller than I remember.
“It’s great to see some of my old teachers and to meet the kids here at Ysgol Y Wern.
“There wasn’t a rugby team when I was here, so I played for CRICC, so it’s fantastic to see the kids in Year 5 and 6 competing and playing. However, we did a lot of athletics and played a lot of cricket, which really developed my interest in sport.
“The new ticket scheme is an excellent way for pupils to come down to watch the match for free and I’m sure there will be a lot children from this school and schools all across the region coming down for the game.
“I used to come down to watch matches with my family as a child and it was a dream back then that one day I would play for Cardiff.
“Ysgol Y Wern gave me a great start in life and I’m pleased to be able to give something back.”
Speaking of his last home match for the Blues, Roberts added,
“It’s sure to be a very emotional occasion for me on Saturday, being my last game at the Arms Park.
“I’ve got some fantastic memories from playing at the ground. I remember my first game for the Blues against the Ospreys.
“I put in an early tackle and gave away a penalty that could have cost us the match.
“Fortunately for me, Shaun Connor missed the kick and we won the match.
“The matches that stick out for me are the Heineken Cup games and beating Stade Francais was a special occasion.
“Hopefully on Saturday we can record another win on what will be a special yet sad day for me.”
Mrs Moira Kellaway, the headteacher at Ysgol Y Wern, who taught Jamie as a child, was delighted to welcome back her former pupil.
“I remember Jamie well and he was a very good pupil back then.
“He was a bright boy who was very good at maths and languages.
“He was very sporty and extremely competitive, so it’s no surprise to us here that he has done so well academically and also in the sporting arena.
“We are very proud of Jamie’s achievements for Cardiff Blues and Wales but also for the way he learnt the Welsh language, coming from a non-Welsh-speaking home.
“He is a wonderful ambassador for the school and the language and a real inspiration for the young pupils here.
“The children loved having him here, especially the older boys who play rugby for the schools.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing him play his last home game this Saturday and are grateful for the Cardiff Blues for launching such a great ticket initiative that allows one of the classes at Ysgol Y Wern to watch the game for free.”
All primary and secondary schools in the Blues region can claim 40 free tickets for the match, 33 juniors and 7 adults, by contacting Cardiff Blues Marketing Officer Georgina Hughes on 029 2030 2030