WRU PRESS RELEASENorth Wales - The Next StepIssued: 28 August 2009
The Welsh Rugby Union has announced a series of major initiatives aimed at the continued development of the game in North Wales in line with the strategic plan for the area as a development RegionThe proposals include launching a North Wales Rugby Academy and an innovative plan to introduce Rugby Canada international players to the development region's representative team.

The WRU has been working with partners including Rugby Canada and the IRB, and subject to approval from the Board of Rugby Canada next month, this proposal will be launched in January 2010.

The Board of the Welsh Rugby Union has also awarded club status to the Gogledd Cymru representative team in order to allow the side to develop strategically within the governance of the WRU.

Under the WRU and Rugby Canada initiative, it is proposed that a number of players, funded by Canada, will be based in north Wales to play for the region.They will form the basis of the representative squad which will be completed with individuals from within north Wales.The scheme is projected to last for up to five years and the number of Canadians in north Wales will be reduced year on year as the academy system delivers more quality players into the north Wales system.
The initiative is designed to offer the north Wales team an opportunity to compete for a chance to achieve Premiership status within a realistic time-scale.

The plan is linked to existing developments which include the identification of Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay as the home base of the club with the full support of Conwy County Borough Council. It will also be the home of the new North Wales Rugby Academy.A non-profitable Cooperative Community Interest Company has been established to maximise financial and operational support for the development of representative rugby.

The North Wales Rugby Academy will provide a focus for a sustainable pathway for players and coaches in north Wales which builds on existing development programmes within the region.

That means the major areas of player development including all technical, tactical, psychological, physical and lifestyle support will be fully available and operational within the North Wales Rugby Academy programme.

The Welsh Rugby Union has described the initiatives as a clear indication of the desire to maximise the development of all players, coaches and match officials from North Wales as outlined in the WRU strategic plan.

The Rugby Canada Board meets in September where the financial aspects of the initiative to bring Canadian internationals to Wales will be looked at in depth.The scheme is also seen as a means to help Rugby Canada utilise the WRU structure to develop its own current international player base.WRU Head of Rugby, Performance and Development Joe Lydon said, "These measures have been put in place in order to accelerate the progression of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru as a team, and the identification and development of rugby in North Wales."Bringing young, Canadian squad players to North Wales will enable the north Wales team to be a competitive, semi-professional level side almost immediately.
It will enable attractive fixtures to take place at Parc Eirias, which will hopefully help to increase the interest and participation levels in rugby in North Wales."Our aim throughout this is to raise the standard of rugby players in north Wales for the long term and the establishment of an academy in north Wales will help to identify and nurture that talent for the future, while at the same time, they will be exposed to a high standard of competitive rugby."There will also be a clear benefit to Canada, a development rugby nation."Peredur Jenkins, WRU Board member for north Wales said:"The north Wales rugby community welcomes these exciting and innovative plans.
They will provide an opportunity for north Wales based players to achieve their full potential within the region. The flow of players from this region to the national teams at all levels will undoubtedly increase.
These developments are the result of a close working partnership between the WRU, North Wales Rugby Council, Conwy Borough County Council and the Gogledd Cymru CIC - all parties striving to fulfill the strategies and goals of the WRU's Strategic Plan for North Wales."WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said "Rugby is the national sport of Wales. It defines us as a nation. The strategy for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru is vitally important not only for our rugby development but also for the unity of Wales."Rygbi Gogledd Cymru chairman Kenton Morgan said: "Being recognised as a club is another step in our implementation of the WRU strategic plan."Conwy County Borough Council's support in the development of Parc Eirias and the consequent regeneration potential for Colwyn Bay has been of tremendous benefit to this relationship.
This new WRU plan fits our innovative approach to the progression of north Wales rugby and dovetails the needs of Gogledd Cymru with those of Rugby Canada."Canadian players will benefit massively from these high quality fixtures and the rugby culture of the region, which although less well recognised, is just as passionate, as that in other areas of Wales. They will be young men, away from home and we look forward to welcoming them into the team and to facilitating mutual rugby development and friendships."Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council said, "This is a very exciting announcement for rugby in north Wales.

We are delighted to be part of the project and we believe it will help to inspire and encourage more young people to participate and will help develop the sport in the region."IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan said, "This is an excellent initiative which will offer young players from both nations the opportunity to achieve their full potential and, if approved in full, will clearly benefit rugby in both Wales and Canada."Geraint John, High Performance Director, Rugby Canada said, "We are excited and hopeful this project will be able to proceed because of the clear benefits it will deliver to both Wales and Canada by helping to develop our young players.

"For further information, contact:WRU: Communications Manager Liz Jones tel 07736 056669 / lizjones@wru.co.uk

Please find the Gogledd Cymru U16's Squad listed below :-
N.Wales V Scarlets @ llandovery 2pm

Shirt
Player Name
Club
1 WILLIAMS Josh Mold RFC
2 KIRBY Ryan Mold RFC
3 SIMPSON Joe "Snitch" Bangor RFC
4 FRANCIS Maredydd Whitchurch RFC
5 MEADOWS (c)Jacob Pwllheli RFC
6 EVANS Llion Llandudno RFC
7 CROWE Elliott Llandudno RFC
8 JONES Robert Llandudno RFC
9 ROBERTS Phylip Ruthin RFC
10 BLACKMORE Jason Rhyl RFC
11 EVANS Aron Llangefni RFC
12 JONES Michael Ruthin RFC
13 RICHARDS Matt Ruthin RFC
14 BACKSHALL Sam Nant Conwy RFC
15 BRITTAIN Teddy Llanidloes RFC
16EVANS Rhodri Caernarfon RFC
17 GOSS Damian Flint RFC
18EVANS Rob Wrexham RFC
19 GWYN Aaron Caernarfon RFC
20 WILLIAMS Rhys Mold RFC
21 WEAVER Lewys Rhyl RFC
22 BAGSHAW Afon Flint RFC

Please find below Gogledd Cymru Under 18 Team for Sundays match:

1. John Evans Exiles
2. Gareth Morgan Ruthin
3. Ed Mason Ruthin
4. Gruff Jones Wrexham
5. Jake Simms Mold
6. Chris Holmes Mold
7. Tom Parry Pwlhelli
8. Owen Jones Ruthin
9. Alex Schwarz Mold
10. Jac Williams Ruthin
11. Andre Channer-Hughes Nant Conwy
12. Nikki Hughes Mold
13. Ian Ellis Bro Festiniog
14. Andrrew Oakden Exiles
15. Jonny Hughes Bangor
16. Jac Matthews Exiles
17. Matt Bevan Bala
18. Ollie Hughes Mold
19. JOsh Woods Rhyl
20. Jacob Weaver-Jones Welshpool
21. Henry Roberts Rhyl
22. Will Mitchelmore Ruthin

Best wishes Will Morecombe
Gogledd Cymru Under 18 Manager

North West Wales Junior Provincial Training Dates.
U12
U12 manager Vaughn Williams-07734276678
angewilliams@supanet.com
12th September sat 9.30am @ Bangor RFC
27th September sun Development day @ Bangor RFC
10th October sat 9.30am @ Bangor RFC
17th October sat 9.30am @Bangor RFC
U13 & U14
U13 manager George hughes-07920770288
Eithne.hughes@talk21.com
U14 manager Tom last-07989661378
tom@tomlast.net
11th September fri 6.30pm @Bangor RFC
27th September sun Development day @ Bangor RFC
9th October fri 6.30pm @ Bangor RFC
16th October fri 6.30pm @ Bangor RFC

Just a reminder regarding the regional U12,13,14 on the 23rd at Bangor RFC.
We will use the same set up as last time
U12 will register at 9.45on the field by 10.15Finish 11.45/12.00
U13 will register at 11.00on the field by 11.30Finish 1.30
U14 will register at 1.00on the field at 1.30Finish 3.30

The club will be open for refreshments through out the day so please come along!

Chris Williams
cwilliams@wru.co.uk
07752668177

Coach Education Day for the Provincial coaches. Held at colwyn bay RFC on the 16th

Arrive 10.15 – register / coffee

10.30 – Introduction TH
10.40 – Video Footage MR
11.00 – Practical - Core Skills-Footwork, Passing SM
12.00 – Review
12.20/30 – Lunch
1.00 – Session Planning and Structure TH
1.45 – Video Footage MR
2.05 – Practical - Contact SM
2.50 – Summary and Review ALL
3.00/10 - Finish


Chris Williams 07752668177
cwilliams@wru.co.uk

just a quick reminder to the provincial coaches and mangers, DONT FORGET THE 16TH AT COLWYN BAY RFC WHERE WE WILL BE HOLDING A COACH DEVELOPMENT DAY SO THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL!!!!

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AND WE HOPE TO START AT 9am SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A FULL DAY FOR YOU.
ANY OTHER INFORMATION THEN JUST CALL ME ON 07752668177 OR E-MAIL cwilliams@wru.co.uk.

Thank You

Chris