Half-term school holidays would not be the same for youngsters in Cardiff, without the hugely popular rugby coaching courses. The latest half term coaching course took place at Cardiff Arms Park last Thursday and many Junior Blues from across the region turned out for some extra-curricular Capital rugby coaching.
There were two sessions this term, the first for children in years 4, 5 and 6, and the second for children in years 7,8 and 9.
The weather was not that of a typical April day, but as the grey clouds gathered around the Arms Park, they could not dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic youngsters that were determined to make the most of yet another Cardiff Blues coaching course
Juniors were split into small groups to receive the benefit of many years of rugby playing experience from Capital Rugby coaches and were also joined by the stars of Cardiff and the Blues. This term the children were lucky enough to be throwing the ball around with rising stars Dan McShane and Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Also on hand to help out with the coaching were students from Coleg Glan Hafren who are currently studying for NVQs, of which, sports coaching is an integral part. It gave the students a chance to put their theory into practice with the supervision of the development officers.
Typical drills in latest half term coaching session were fundamental passing skills, spatial awareness skills that were designed to help the children create space and hence able to receive a pass.
It wasnt all running around as the girls and boys took a mid session break to enjoy the bottles of water that had been provided by one of the principle sponsors of Cardiff Rugby, Brecon Carreg and they also got a chance to ask Dan McShane and Robin Sowden-Taylor questions and collect their autographs.
Development officer Gary Knowles said,
We hope the children have all enjoyed the course and we have been able to offer them some valuable rugby experience. I am sure we will be seeing a great deal more of one or two of them in the future.
The young girls and boys efforts were certainly rewarded; not only with the skills they learned, but they also each received a Black Horse certificate for completing the course.