The Oval Zone The rugby magazine for North and Mid Wales - Issue 16, September 20th, 2013 All the latest rugby news and views from North and Mid Wales Magnificent 7 for RGC’sAfon JuniorRugby FAQ withKeith Hulse WRU spreads the word of ‘street rugby’ The Oval Zone The rugby magazine for North and Mid Wales Report by Liz Jones, Welsh Rugby Union - Issue 16, September 20th, 2013 The Welsh Rugby Union will roll out its innovative WRU Street Stars initia- tive throughout Wales, it was announced this week. Week three of the season and some great games in store again We’re committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to access this weekend. Obviously RGC at home to Cardiff Met looks likely sport and physical activity in their local community. to be another cracker (every game must be like a cup fi nal now for the RGC team), but there’s some spicy stuff further down the The WRU has been hitting the communities of the Dragons region this leagues taking place as well. summer with a new and diverse way to appeal to young people through sport. This week it’s the biggest Oval Zone yet and, whilst we can’t guarantee match reports every issue, we do hope to keep the In conjunction with StreetGames and Communities First, the Union has league fi xtures, results and tables up to date. We need your help developed an exciting approach to the game which takes rugby out of on this, if you see any errors/omissions etc, please let us know. the traditional club environment and on to the streets of the youngsters themselves. It was good to see that a ladies game took place last weekend, albeit a friendly and hopefully ths will be the start of a regular WRU Street Stars is delivered by WRU participation offi cers in car run of games for all the ladies teams in the region. parks, on street corners and in public games areas and, after achieving impressive results throughout the summer, it will now become a national It’s likely that we will be publishing fortnightly from this issue community rugby initiative with a plan in place to take the programme into onwards so please don’t think we’ve disappeared if you don’t get every Communities First area in Wales. to see a copy every week. The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “We are com- With the uncertainty over the Heineken Cup at present, we’ve mitted to using new forms of rugby to take the game to a whole new audi- had our say in this issue. If you want to add something or put ence across Wales and this initiative showcases our strategy in action. over your point of view, again, please just send in the details. “The WRU is determined to boost participation in rugby and we have iden- tifi ed the need to modernise our approach to ensure we interest a wide Have a great rugby weekend and best of luck to all clubs in the group of people of all ages. region. “It is all about people getting active and we are aligned with the aims Gary and aspirations of the Welsh Government in getting more young people involved in physical activity.” Editors: Gary Williams/Barry Williams Email: [email protected] Wales and Ospreys back row Ryan Jones said, “It’s fantastic to see young people having so much fun through a form of rugby that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. There are so many distractions for young people but sport is a great way to have a laugh with your mates, and also gain a www.nwru.co.uk unique sense of achievement.” www.midwalesrugby.com The concept of WRU Street Stars uses a portable obstacle course to chal- lenge young people’s basic skills in passing, evasion, throwing, kicking Twitter: please follow us @ovalzonerugby and tackling - all against the clock in a fun, fast-paced environment, with the top points scorers invited to a regional fi nals day and Regional match. www.ovalzone.co.uk The scheme has clear health benefi ts, getting young people more active and participating in engaging, physical activities, and socially it can act as HOLLYBUSH 39 v RHAYADER 6 a positive, diversionary activity in some potentially anti-social hot spots. This element has been particularly recognised by organisations including Rhayader’s fi rst away league game of the season resulted in a 39-6 loss at the Caerphilly Safety Partnership and Network Rail who are now working the hands of Hollybush. Although hit by injuries and unavailability, Rhaya- with the WRU in order to deliver WRU Street Stars sessions in train sta- der started the match strongly and registered the fi rst score of the match with a penalty from the boot of no. 10 John Foster. tion car parks to help educate young people against committing railway crime. The remainder of the half saw the Radnorshire side compete well but make basic errors that resulted in ‘soft’ tries for the home side. John Foster WRU Street Stars sessions have been hugely successful around Caer- added a second penalty to make the half time score 15-6 to the home side. philly, Newport, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent since the start of the summer, already attracting over 6,000 participants. Torfaen is the latest The second half saw the home side get their tales up and begin to over- Council in the Dragons region to get involved with today (Thursday)’s power Rhayader by scoring another four tries. Rhayader never gave up event in Blaenavon town centre, attended by the Minister for Culture & throughout the match, but will need to raise their performance for even Sport John Griffi ths, the fi rst of a series of street sessions to take place tougher encounters ahead. as part of the Council’s strategy to take sport direct to the communities of Rhayader Line up: young people. 1.Price 2. Hutchinson 3. Rees 4. P Powell 5. Bufton 6. Davies 7. Clarke 8. G. Powell 9. Thomas 10. Foster 11. Addisson 12. Quarterman 13. Naylor Minister for Culture & Sport, John Griffi ths, said: “We’re committed to pro- 14. Hicks 15. M. Powell 16. J Davies 17. Samuel viding everyone with the opportunity to access sport and physical activity in their local community. “This project is a fantastic example of how sport can reach out to young COVER PICTURES REQUIRED people who might not be able to access traditional forms of sport and We’re always on the lookout for that special pic for physical activity. The WRU with the support of StreetGames and local au- thorities have provided a template that many other sports can and should the front cover, so if you have something we could use to make their sport more accessible. I look forward to seeing many use please send it in to [email protected] more examples of this type of innovative practice in the future.” RGC NEWS could have got something out of the game, it was important that this week More national recognition for RGC as we got the win,” said the number 10. Afon is picked for National 7’s squad “We had the ball for long spells in the game against Narberth, but when we were getting into the right positions in the fi eld we were maybe making one pass too many or making a silly mistake and giving a penalty away and RGC are once they were able to clear their lines. But we had all the play and played all the rugby. again proud to say a player has been “Its only the second game, there were a few nerves as well, but now we have got that fi rst win, I think everyone is going to be a bit more confi dent selected for the and realise that when we got to these places that it is not as bad as every- National Squad one thinks. We are more than capable of holding out own against theses teams and I think the more and more we play we will start to put these with Afon Bagshaw mistakes to bed. being picked for “The mood in the changing rooms was a lot better after getting that win under our belt.” the Wales 7’s. The win sees RGC climb to ninth in the early standings, but it could have been a different story following a disappointing start to the contest. Afon, speaking to RGC News about his selection said: “I am pretty Narberth opened well and raced into a 6-0 lead through a pair of Ianto Grif- excited with the selection and can’t wait. It has been some journey fi t hs penalties. for me rugby wise but the support and help from the coaches through the Academy and senior side has been brilliant for me. But RGC hit back and moved ahead shortly after as a slick handling moved The players have also been a big support as we have all devel- involving centre Harri Evans, saw Tom Blackwell given space to touch down oped over the past few years.” on his debut for the North Wales regional outfi t. Afon has also stepped up to the Championship with RGC this Carlton Jones added the extras, and he was again on target with a second season “I think we were nervous in our fi rst game against Ebbw conversion moments later as Evans notched another try for the visitors after Vale and held back a little bit.