Five years after it was originally launched, Cardiffs ground-breaking development scheme Capital Rugby has been broadened to include secondary schools and district clubs as well as primary schools.
Speaking at a re-launch at County Hall in Atlantic Wharf, Capital Rubys chairman, Gareth Edwards, praised the work of the scheme so far. He added:
If ever there was a success story in Welsh rugby then Capital Rugby is it. The whole project has grown enormously and we have over 7,500 children getting the benefit of the tuition.
Mr Edwards also praised the continuing sponsorship of Blackhorse finance and welcomed the new partnership with Cardiff County Council, the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues.
The gathering at yesterdays launch included leading figures in all the partners organisations together with headteachers, teachers and pupils from schools in the city and the Vale of Glamorgan and representatives of the district clubs.
Speaking for the sponsors, Mark Crocker, head of CRM Operations at Blackhorse, welcomed the community element of Capital Rugby.
We all recognise the many virtues of this project, he said, but none more so than the fact that it serving the community throughout a wide area.
Beginning this term Capital Rugby will have six development officers, each with clearly defined areas of the region to oversee and deliver support and advice to the teachers as well as providing hands-on coaching to the pupils. They will be augmented by a seventh officer with specific responsibilities for girls rugby from under-13 to under-16.
Councillor Marion Drake put the County Councils seal of approval on the re-launch when she concluded:
I am particularly encouraged to hear that by bringing together the partnership of the Welsh Rugby Union, the Council and the Cardiff Blues we can develop a cohesive strategy that will allow young people to progress from grass roots rugby through to excellence.