The Llanrumney Stags Rugby Club Project is now in its second season since its conception as a new junior section at Llanrumney Rugby Club last year. The project has involved working partnerships between Active Communities, Youth Inclusion, Sport.Cardiff, Cardiff Blues and Llanrumney RFC.
A Community Rugby Day was run on Sunday 31st August at Llanrumey Hall and was an open invite to all boys aged 14-17 years of age from the Llanrumney area to come along and receive 'taster coaching sessions'. The sessions were delivered by UKCC, WRU Qualified Coaches and young players also had the chance to meet New Zealand and Blues star Xavier Rush, who was at the Open Day to offer some words of wisdom to the 28 boys whom attended. He also presented on behalf of the Cardiff Blues an equipment bag to the newly formed Youth Team to assist them with their training needs.
The project last season saw 30 players aged 14-16 years of age engaged from the Llanrumney Community and funding secured via Sports Council Community Chest Grant and Norwich Union to establish and sustain start up costs, training equipment and support coach education at the Club. The Stags also received a kind donation of £350 from donation from HSBC in The Communityscheme.
One of the key hard working volunteers within the project Alan Sheppard said The instigation of the Llanrumney project to formulate a rugby team for the 2007/2008 season at under 16 proved to be a great success. A large number of these players are from a, let me say, slightly different backgrounds to the great majority of rugby players of the same age. It has been extremely satisfying to see these boys playing the game of rugby.
The squad trained regularly last season under the direction of Russell Martin, Gareth Rees and Craig Smith to great effect. The senior committee has helped and supported as much as possible taking into consideration the time and effort they give to their own set up.
This season will see the Club enter a Youth Team into the Cardiff and District League under their Head Coach Royston Davies and assisted by 1st XV Head Coach Craig Smith. The Stags also aim to start up an U15s Team and any interested players should contact Alan Sheppard on 07989446582 for further information.