As All Roads Lead to Cardiff in the build up to the city hosting the 2006 Heineken Cup Final in May, Sport.Cardiff, the sports development unit of Cardiff Council is taking a local Junior TAG Rugby Team to act as ambassadors for the city to each of the Cardiff Blues opponents in Pool 2 Leeds Tykes, Perpignan and Calvisano.
The initiative, a front row made up of Cardiff Council, Cardiff Blues and the European Rugby Cup will promote Cardiff as the final city and create further cultural links between each of the rugby playing regions, showing the young people of Europe coming together under the banner of rugby union.
The junior team of rugby playing ambassadors will attend pre-arranged cultural visits, showcase the Heineken trophy, and play a Tag Rugby fixture at half time against Blues opponents at each of the group venues.
The junior 10 boy squad has been selected from the current Cardiff Schools Under 11s age group. They will be kitted out in branded Cardiff final city strip, and also carry a banner displaying the Cardiff final city message.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said: This is a fine way to increase the profile of Cardiff as the venue for the the final of the prestigious Heineken Cup, 10 years after hosting the inaugural final in the old Arms Park. It also brings together young people from across Europe in the name of sport, with all the positive messages that conveys.
The boys are ambassadors for the city of Cardiff, and Im sure they will do us proud.
Chris Ower, the Sport.Cardiff Development Officer for Cardiff Blues said,
"The Tag game is a great link for the Cardiff Blues with the youth of Europe being united through the game of rugby and an opportunity to promote the fact that Cardiff will be hosting the Heineken Cup final."
To enhance awareness of Cardiffs role at home, the Heineken trophy will be undertaking a tour of Wales under the Sport.Cardiff branding.