With all the Junior Blues back in School next week a new face for our members in the Cardiff area to familiarise themselves with is Chris Ower.
Chris takes up the post of Cardiff Rugby Development Officer for SportCardiff in partnership with the Cardiff Blues and WRU. Originally from mid Wales, Chris studied Leisure and Recreation Management at the University of Glamorgan and went on to manage a health club Cardiff. Over the last four years Chris has been Rugby Development Officer for Powys.
Gary Knowles will be responsible for East Cardiff while Chris will take up responsibility for the West. Clubs he will be in contact with will be Glamorgan Wanderers, Canton, Taffs Well, Pentyrch, Caiacks, Llandaff North, Llandaff Cardiff HSOB and CRICC.
Chris will be responsible for trying to increase and enhance the participation of rugby in Cardiff. He will also provide support throughout Cardiff and especially in areas where rugby is not a majority sport. Coach Education is also a key area in which Chris will be involved: developing new coaches and maintaining the quality and standard of the coaching.
The Cardiff and Vale Junior District Association level under 12, 13 and 14 age grade will also be part of his responsibilities as well as well as the DC Thomas under 11s and Dewer Shield under 15s.
Chris is keen to go out and meet the clubs on a regular basis and feels that the junior rugby in Cardiff is as strong as ever.