ANNUAL REPORT 2012 WRL Vision

“To be a world top four Rugby League nation in performance and governance”

WRL Mission

“To increase the awareness of through a lifelong participation in the sport”

WRL Values

PASSION: To never give up; believe in feedback and not failure; strive to make our people happier and above all to have a compel- ling emotion for our Vision

INTEGRITY: To have unity; transparency and to work effectively towards our Mission Statement

RESPECT: To work with a demonstrative admiration and consider- ation alongside our colleagues to enhance our International esteem

INNOVATION: Develop and improve everything we do as we grow and sustain participation numbers through creative and progressive concepts

PRESIDENT’S REPORT MIKE NICHOLAS

It was an interesting and Pugsley, who was signed by eventful 2012 for all of us at Warriors last season, , I think we have some outstanding we all agree. players to develop. On the playing field, we had There was a truly historic a lot to be happy about with moment for Wales RL too our age group and Academy back in August when Ysta- developments coming along lyfera’s Ysgol Gyfun Gym- leaps and bounds. raeg became the first Welsh Additionally, the senior in- language school to reach the ternational side under head National Finals where they coach Iestyn Harris, while put up a brave performance not winning a Test match, before losing. saw a number of new, young It was pleasing to see the faces who will drive our Conference team on in the future, given developing through Matt a chance to join the squad for Pritchard, Mark Jones and all the games against France and the teams and coaches. We . have work to do in the South Given a fair wind, we hope but that can be achieved as that these young players will we all know it can be. graduate through to the pro- I would also like to say fessional ranks and form the what an ambassador for our basis of our future World Cup game Brian Juliff has been. and Test squads. It is good to see that under Our Under-18 national his stewardship we have be- side really came of age with come more professional as MIKE (RIGHT) RECEIVES HIS WRL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT victories over Scotland and an organisation and we are AWARD FROM LEGEND BILLY BOSTON LAST YEAR England before losing to a now heading in the right di- full-strength Australia Insti- rection. . tute of Sport XIII. In play- We know we can go for- ers like , ward through 2013 and be- MIKE (LEFT AND captain of the side, and Rhys yond - so let’s do it! BELOW) IN HIS PLAYING DAYS ... ON A PERSONAL NOTE FOR

It was quite a year for England game in Wrex- me on a personal level. ham. In January, I had the I would, therefore, honour of being in- like to thank the Wales ducted into the Rugby Rugby League for be- League Hall of Fame stowing this honour and then the WRL Hall on me and I hope I can of Fame where I was continue to be of serv- presented with my tro- ice for years to come in phy by the legendary my role of President. Welsh star Billy Bos- ton before the Wales v CHAIRMAN’S REPORT BRIAN JULIFF

It has been an interesting and gressive clubs in the year offered to me in May and I phy of blooding our young challenging year for Wales of the Rugby League World accepted the role with great future stars to prepare for Rugby League both within Cup and I anticipate promo- pride. RLWC2013 and beyond. our ‘Core Product’ and our tion very likely. We scored two tries against professional pathway clubs. The performance of the England which was more It was very encouraging to Matt Pritchard, our devel- national side in the Autumn than the French could de- see the Crusaders finish the opment Officer in North Series was mixed but was liver but the physicality and year with a run of victories Wales, was rewarded for his a great credit to our young level of intensity of their top and setting themselves up as hard work in the community players who stepped up to players proved too much for play-off challengers for the by having the privileige of face opposi- us. Nevertheless we learnt coming 2013 season. carrying the Olympic Torch tion against France and far more than either England This really shows that in the build up to the 2012 England. or France from both those hard work and clear focus summer Games. Contrary to expectations games as we look forward alongside the passion of the This really was a well we faced a very strong to our RLWC launch against supporters, directors, man- agement team and players as well as the massive amount of community work being carried out in North Wales has started to pay dividends. , as expected, has used his vast experience and contacts within rugby to build a sustainable and entertaining Championship One outfit. Similarly, the efforts of Dave Clarke have not been without success as he ap- proached the Scorpions season with a focus on home grown Welsh talent to estab- lish a solid platform for the deserved accolade and I French team in Lens but Italy at the Millenium Sta- growth of Rugby League in can’t speak highly enough we stuck with our plan and dium on October 26. Wales. of Matt’s commitment to played a youthful Wales I want to thank all the play- As anticipated the journey Wales Rugby League and his team with an average age of ers who committed so much was tough and challenging success in developing Street 22 years four months. to our development plan in but the derby games attract- Rugby League has been We took the game to the 2012 and also to our excel- ed good viewing numbers nothing short of sensational. home side and lead until ten lent young coaches, Iestyn and were very competitive minutes before the end of the Harris, , Damien matches paving the way for In the Boardroom, there half when France scored the Gibson and Dave Clarke a very exciting challenge in have been changes with Jan- points required to eventually for an outstanding effort in 2013. et Ryder and Bethan Jenkins win the match. preparing such a young team The South Wales Scorpions leaving their roles on the Our lads played magnifi- for battle. and board but still offering active cently in the second pe- I would also like to thank games are surely going to support when required as riod with some outstanding everyone on the Wales attract ever growing crowds volunteers. personal performances and Rugby League staff on and as Rugby League establishes Bethan has been replaced great team spirit and com- off the field who helped a strong foothold in Wales. by Martin Roddy MBE, a mitment. to support and prepare all It is firmly expected that former police officer and The game against England our international teams and we will get success from current coach at Oxford was a huge challenge but the South Wales Academy one or both of these pro- Janet’s position of Chair was we stuck with our philoso- throughout 2012. 2012 beating Scotland with Conference in 2013. The teams in action this year The Dragonhearts had a strong second-half per- 2012 champions Conway and wish everyone the very a disjointed season culmi- formance at Queensway in Celts await renewed ri- best of luck, nating in a loss to Scotland Wrexham and then England valries with Prestatyn and As ever, we are always when we were forced to se- Community Lions at Leigh Rhyl Panthers; Flintshire looking for more volun- lect a very young team due Sporting Village. Falcons; Dee Valley Drag- teers to support and encour- to players deciding not to Their season ended with ons and Wrexham Bradley age the growth of Rugby travel. a defeat by the Australian Raiders. League in Wales. It is im- This was very upsetting Institute of Sport but not portant that we establish for everyone but we were without some outstanding The South Wales Confer- sustainable junior teams determined not to lose individual performances ence was not supported as attached to our Conference face despite the fact that and also plaudits from the effectively as we would clubs as this, alongside our we would relinquish our Australian management. have required in 2012 and, schools programme, will Championship title. The only downside was a from that, our development build the strength of our I am grateful to those Un- very bad injury sustained team have learned some future league’s and uncover der 18 players who earned by Jason Blackmore, an harsh lessons, most note- our international stars of the their caps at senior level outsanding young talent ably was the failure to com- future. and it was encouraging in the final minutes of the pete in the to see selections from our game. first road and, of course, our With this in mind, I North Wales Conference. I wish Jason the very best failure to retain our Dran- would like to thank you Their courage and fortitude of luck with his recovery gonhearts champions tag. for your involvement in our showed why we are known and hope we have the privi- It is encouraging, though, game whatever the role you as the Dragonhearts and we lege of watching him pull a to see a resurgence in the have taken within the best will bounce back stronger senior Wales shirt over his south with eight teams com- family sport in the world. this year. head in the near future. mitting to the 2013 seasons The Dragonhearts remain fixtures and the return of None of this can happen a pathway to the profes- The core product of Wales Blackwood Bulldogs, Tor- without you, so on behalf sional game and we will Rugby League is our com- faen Tigers and Newport of the Board of Wales Rug- again fund the team in the munity game and we must Titons as well as emergence by League, your National Four Nations to reward the protect and further develop of the new Chepstow Bor- Governing Body, I would stand-out talent from the this aspect of our structure if derer Bears offers some ex- like to thank you very much Conference season. we are serious about achiev- citing challenges. for your support and com- We will, however, expect ing our vision in 2017. I know our champions mitment. a full commitment from se- from Bonymaen Broncos lected players throughout I am encouraged by the will be relishing the chal- the campaign this year. efforts in North Wales lenge as will Bridgend Blue Cynru Am Byth with five teams commit- Bulls, and Our U18 international ted to playing regularly in Demons and I look side were very successful in the Open Age North Wales forward to watching all the CONFERENCE PREMIER MARK JONES

The League became a one-tier, six-team championship in 2012. The season structure was ten weekly rounds with teams playing each other both home and away with the winner of the League progressing to the Grand Final and second and third progressing to a play-off.

Out of six teams entered, only thre teams completed all their fixtures. There were 31 scheduled fixtures ,18 were played (58 per cent) and 13 cancelled (42 per cent).

The Bonymaen Broncos were crowned 2012 Premier League champions beating the Bridgend Blue Bulls 46–28 in an entertaining Grand Final at Virginia Park, Caerphilly. This completed an unbeaten season for the Broncos for the second year running.

South Wales Grand Final

Bonymaen Broncos 46–28 Bridgend Blue Bulls

South Wales Play Off

BONYMAEN BRONCOS WIN THE SOUTH WALES CONFERENCE GRAND FINAL SOUTH WALES JUNIOR CONFERENCE

The 2012 Welsh Junior Conference League saw two new age grades Under- nines and Under-12s added to the established Under-13s, Under-14s, Un- der-15s and Under-17s. New clubs were established in Rhymney (Gwent Chiefs), Cardiff (Cardiff Barbarians), Neath (Neath and District Scorpi- ons), Caerphilly (Aber Valley Wolves), (South Gower Rebels and Swansea Valley Rhinos), Treharris (Treharris Pheonix) and Magor (South Monmouthshire joining Gower Gladiators, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Glyneath & Abercrave Giants, Neath Steelers, Penallta Storm, Panthers (Pontyclun), South Coast Spartans (Cardiff), Bonymaen Broncos and the Tydfil Wildcats (Merthyr) in the South Wales Junior Conference.

The junior season started in May as favourites finishing the league a very experienced and previously with three Origin Series Festivals, campaign unbeaten but Aber Valley unbeaten NPT Steelers. A five try Wolves Super Sunday at Virginia Wolves in their first season in rugby first half blitz from the Storm saw Park, Caerphilly, Scorpions Super league pushed the Panthers all the both Lewis Alexander and Lloyd Sunday at Bonymaen RFC and The way. The first half saw open rugby Bowman score a brace and Alex Gnoll, Neath and Panthers Super from both teams with Jack Thomp- Stickler get on the scoring board Sunday at Pontyclun RFC, Pon- son, Regan Wilson, Sion Jones and with all the tries being converted by tyclun. The festivals were held at Zac Byard scoring tries for the Pan- man of the match Arwel Robson. U13s, U14s and U15s age grades thers and Ryan Davies and Connor In response the Steelers scored two with each team playing each other Kawlock replying for the Wolves tries through convert- in a round robin tournament with the to make the half time score, Pan- ed by Jay Mcbride and Ben Howells top two qualifying for the Final. thers 16-8 making the half time score Storm 30 Throughout the summer, junior Wolves. Steelers 10. clubs at U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s T h e The NPT Steelers rallied well af- played weekly rounds in a league W o l v e s ter the break scoring tries through format where each team played each started the Regan Grace and Connor Davies other at least once. s e c o n d both converted by Jay Mcbride, but At the end of the season the top half in a try from Patrick Lewis and goal four progressed to the knockout spectacu- by Arwel Robson halted the Steel- play-offs, with the winners of the lar fashion ers comeback. The final score was play-offs progressing to the finals. with a sec- Storm 36 Steelers 20. The 2012 season also saw the first ond try for Ryan Davies and con- The last Junior Final of the day friendlies played between the U12s verted by Liam Waters making the saw the reigning U17s champions teams and the under nines teams. score 16–14. They then pressed on Penallta Storm compete against The junior season concluded in the Panthers line and an upset look this year’s newly formed Trehar- August, where Wales Rugby League on the cards, but superb defence ris Pheonix. The Storm eventually held their Junior Club Grand Finals kept the Wolves out and resulted in lifted the title with a 40–28 win but on one day and in one location for a try from Corrie Tarrant. were pushed all the way by a plucky the very first time. A bumper crowd The Panthers then went on to score Pheonix team who showed they were treated to a magnificent day two tries through Christian Bird and could play good football when they of Rugby League at Virginia Park, Scott Griffiths converted by Zac had possession. Caerphilly, It was the first time in Byard with the Wolves adding a try Storm try scorers were Man of the Wales Rugby League history where through Connor Kawlock making Match Jack Condy, Rhys Fitzgerald the Premier League Senior Confer- the final score Panthers 30 Wolves Lewis Barnett, Ryan Davies (2), ence final and the Junior Finals were 18. Panthers Sion Jones took the Elliot Keep and Ryan Davis, goals held at the same venue. man of the match award with a barn- by Kane Greenslade (3) and Joseph The first game saw the Aber Val- storming performance. Scrivens (1) with Pheonix scor- ley Wolves play the Panthers in the The Penallta Storm took the hon- ing through Conor Jones (2), Sean U14s Welsh Junior Final. ours in U15s Welsh Grand Final with Blunt, Nathan Evans and Andrew The Panthers went into the match an outstanding performance against Llewellyn, goals by Sean Blunt (4) STUDENT, UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE

In June, Wales Students won the 2012 Four Nations Championship beating England Students 20 -18 in the final game and also taking the Grand Slam. The players then went on to dedicated the win over England Students to the late Dr Phil Melling, the founder of Student Rugby League in Wales. Dr Melling sadly died of cancer last November aged 64. He founded the first ever Wales student side at Swansea University in the 1970s, the Welsh national Rugby League Students side in the late 1980s and was involved in the set-up until his final years. The win over England on Friday night gave Wales the British Isles Rugby League Four Nations Championship. Wales had already beaten Scotland 74-4 and Ireland 64-4 before the England game, all in the space of five gruelling days, to take the trophy back to Wales for the first time since 2009. Five Welsh Universities, Cardiff Met(UWIC), , Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor repre- sented Wales in the BUCS leagues in 2012/2013 with great success. Cardiff Met won the National South League, Bangor came second in the North West 1. Then Glamorgan and Aberystwyth university sides went on to win their respective national Student Rugby League Grand Finals. Glamorgan won the Shield Final, the third ranked competition in the UK, beating Leeds University by a whopping 58-10. Then Aberystwyth won the Plate Final, the fourth ranked student competition, beating Chester 32-12. DR PHIL MELLING. A LEGEND OF THE WRL

Dr Phil Melling, a pioneer of rug- Studies at Swansea University. It by league in Wales, died during was the only Rugby League club 2012 after a battle against cancer. in Wales at the time, with no op- Phil’s career in the game was ponents within 100 miles, and vast and his achievemetns too was formed by Phil in the face of many to recall here. hostility from the Welsh Rugby Born in Wigan in 1947, the son Union, who would threaten to of a miner, Phil was a unique char- ban any player from every play- acter who had a fierce and evan- ing again in those gelical love of Rugby League. days even if they played Rugby He moved to Swansea in the late League for no recompense. 1970s, after attending University His final involvement in Rugby of Manchester and University of League in Wales came in 2010 Indiana, and was responsible for when he was again appointment much of the development of the Team Manager of the Wales Stu- game in South Wales from then dents side by Clive Griffiths for on. that year’s Student Home Nations He established the Swansea tournament where Wales finished University Rugby League club in second. He considered this a great the late 1970s when he was a lec- honour after creating the student turer and professor in American game in Wales. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT DAN CLEMENTS

2012 was a landmark year for rugby league in Wales with the player development programme expanding to provide more opportunities for the most gifted and talented athletes in Wales to progress in rugby league. From the regional performance programme right through to the U18 academy the performance department focused on developing the next generation of talented players.

Regional Performance Development Centres

For the first time in its history, Wales Rugby League had a programme that catered for U14 players across the country with regional performance development centres opening in the north, east and west of the country. These centres provided local, accessible performance coaching for players that were identified through the talent recruitment programme on a regular basis. Delivered in a 12-week block, these centres focused on indi- vidual core skill development, they met at Builth Wells RFC in November to showcase their progress and put into practice what they had been working on.

South Wales U16 Scholarship

Continuing the ethos of long term player development, the South Wales Scholarship had an extremely success- ful year in 2012. With a year-round programme in place, players progressed through the Player Pathway from member schools and clubs to access regular coaching from the Wales Rugby League performance department as part of the scholarship programme. Fostering an elite environment, the most gifted and talented players were developed holistically through specific individual long-term development programmes. The programme then culminated in a small number of games at U15 and U16 level against Super League clubs and regional academies. Notable successes include the graduation of Bradley Mais to and the progression of a number of players through to the South Wales U18 academy.

North Wales U18 Academy

In 2012, Wales Rugby League made the decision to take a lead on the U18 programme in North Wales as this was identified as an important step on the player pathway within Wales. In its first year, the programme competed in the National Youth League competition and after overcoming some difficulties enjoyed a strong finish to the year with two players progressing through to the Wales U18 programme. This was followed by the progression of Andy Oakden through to the North Wales Crusaders first team.

South Wales U18 Academy

As a part of the Valvoline Academy Programme in 2012, the South Wales U18 academy had a strong year with some impressive performances against well established opposition. The programme focused on the individual development of the players around technical, tactical, physiological and psychological traits whilst also giving them the opportunity of competitive rugby league on a regular basis. Following the success of the programme, a number of players progressed to Super League, most notably Rhys Pugsley and to Wigan Warriors and Jacob Morgan to , with the former making his senior international debut against France. 2012 also saw five players secure part time contracts within rugby league at the South Wales Scorpions and Gloucestershire All Golds. WALES UNDER-16 TEAM V AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE OF SPORT 2012

Wales Schoolboys

2012 was a difficult year for the U16 national programme as following a defeat away against England Youth at Easter, the programme was cut short following the decision by England not to play the return fixture during the summer. The programme pre-first test was a huge success with players gaining access to elite facilities and coaching and sampling the international environment and what it means to prepare to play for your country. Follow- ing this programme, two players went on to play for Wales U18 in the same year highlighting the transition through the player pathway.

Wednesday 4th April England Youth 30 – 6 Wales Schoolboys

Wales U18

In their most successful international programme to date, the Wales U18 squad came close to completing the clean sweep for the first time in its history but were ultimately overcome by a strong Australian side. With players drawn from all over Wales from the professional and community game the squad worked together at the Sport Wales national centre in Cardiff and the Wales rugby league performance centre in Deeside for 2 months ready for the 3 test series. The programme gave them an experience of an international programme and is designed to prepare them for the step up to senior international honors. This was highlighted in 2012 with eight former Wales U18 players making the progression to senior international.

Saturday 3rd November Wales 46 – 28 Scotland

Saturday 10th November England Community Lions 24 – 30 Wales

Thursday 29th November Wales 12 – 52 Australian Institute of Sport NORTH WALES DEVELOPMENT MATTHEW PRITCHARD

After the demise of the - Rugby league family adapting the game and Crusaders Super League coming together to better making sport less rigid club it was imperative the game. and flexible has encour- the community work and Jamie Thomas, Clive aged those who haven’t forged links in North Griffiths, John Field been involved in sport Wales were not lost with House, Stephanie Hutch- before underlining a de- this in mind Wales Rugby inson, Hanna Clarke, mand for both rigid and League invested in North all the back room staff flexible forms to devel- Wales and I was offered and the fans must be op sport for all. and accepted the full time congratulated on this The programme has in- role as North Wales De- achievement and for their creased sporting oppor- velopment Officer in Oc- passion and drive to de- tunities in less prosper- tober 2011. velop a club for the North ous areas and has saved In 2012 North Wales Wales community to look government money de- really took flight with the up to, and I am sure we creasing police call outs development of the first will continue to see this North Wales for anti social behaviour, North Wales Conference club grow for the better Development Officer providing health benefits League, 4 out and out of the community. and 2012 Olympic Torch and volunteer opportu- Rugby League pitches, The North Wales Cru- Bearer Matt Pritchard nities. The development North Wales 9s & Grand saders U18s continued of these Non Traditional Final club events, Ref- ensuring those players North Wales represent- Door Step Sport Clubs erees Society and the who were involved the ing Wales Dragonhearts has increased our volun- Launch of a Development previous year were not against Scotland A and 2 teer base, marketed the Centre at Deeside Leisure lost, and the regional players from the regional game and has started to providing a North Wales performance u14s de- u18s representing Wales form natural feeder clubs Base for Rugby League. veloped later on in the International U18s. Inter- into the community clubs School work continued year as part of a 22 week national events took place as flintshire Falcons now to increase and started to programme running into within the region: Wales has a full u16s age group develop across the region 2013. We must remember students 4 nations, Wales and Wrexham Bradley and a strong rugby league the stage of development vs Scotland and England Raiders have signed 5 network of volunteers our region is at and we Lions U18s. Street Rugby Players, and partnerships started have a long way to go in Holding such games both club chairmen have to form underpinning this terms of developing a full helps speed up the devel- also evolved through year’s success. academy and to do this a opment of rugby league Street Rugby into their The development of a strong community game on the ground providing current roles. brand new club “North is vital providing a solid a chance for us to sell the Through these range of Wales Crusaders” com- base and platform, and 5 sport and increase our programs we have seen peting in Cooperative years down the line we members. an influx in rugby league Championhip One has may see a solid academy Street Rugby continues participation and Rugby provided a professional within the region taking to develop further across League work force with pathway within the re- shape. North Wales bringing 1695 playing the sport gion and reminds us the Although early in its organisations together and 46 volunteers out of effect we can have with development within the working towards simi- 52 actively involved de- this can do attitude and region we have already lar aims and objectives veloping the game within highlights a community seen 5 players from for effective change. By the region. NORTH WALES CONFERENCE

In 2012 5 commu- ing each other both home saw a junior festival (600 people were in at- nity clubs developed al- and away with the top take shape beforehand tendance) and won club though 3 weeks into the four teams progressing making it a day of of the Year and Coach league Montgomeryshire to the play-offs where rugby league. Conwy of the Year awards at the Marauders pulled out, we saw Conwy Celts 25 Celts became the first Conwy Council Sports this highlighted the need – 18 Dee Valley Dragons North Wales Conference Awards 2012. to look at an evalu- In addition to this ation procedure be- league two club fore clubs can form events were devel- in the future. oped North Wales This set back pro- 9s which will be duced an opportu- built on annually nity for a new club and saw 101 reg- to form and in the istered players, 8 short space of time teams competing Flintshire Falcons 13 matches played Rugby league club , helped to spread became the 5th club the word of the up in North Wales . and coming league The club must be and brought all the congratulated on community clubs their achievements including Bangor in a short period of and Aberwsyswyth time. Conwy Celts RLFC receive their Club of the Year Universities togeth- The first North Wales award at the Conwy Council Sports Awards 2012 er as a Rugby League Senior Conference along with WRL President Mike Nicholas Family. League was established The senior Confer- with five clubs play- ence Grand final was ing (Flintshire Falcons, and Prestatyn and Rhyl champions as they beat the second event where Wrexham Bradley Panthers 38 – 34 Flint- Prestatyn and Rhyl Pan- we held a junior festi- Raiders, Conwy Celts, shire Falcons. thers 48-26 in an excit- val with 7 teams from Dee Valley Dragons Conwy Celts and Pr- ing Grand Final. Conwy 6 clubs and 80 players & Prestatyn and Rhyl estatyn and Rhyl Pan- Celts then went on to playing before the senior Panthers) eight weekly thers then progressed be the only Club at the grand final. rounds with teams play- to the finals where we Conwy Sports awards NORTH WALES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

2012 saw primary school they are all actively out ering Rugby League. in sport through Rugby delivery develop in Wrex- promoting the game. Street Rugby workshop League. ham and across Flintshire, A total of 18 paid staff in partnership with Na- The first Wales Rugby this further increased members were developed tional Charity Organisa- League skill camps and since the employment (1 full time North Wales tion Street Games, best primary after school clubs of North East Commu- Development Officer, practice coaching work- were developed provid- nity Coach Allen Jones 1 Full time community shop in partnership with ing provision for children by Glyndwr University coach delivering in Wrex- Wigan Warriors super enabling parents to drop in partner- their kids off ship with before and af- Wales Rug- ter work. Adult by League, touch continued F l i n t s h i r e to be delivered and Wrex- providing non ham Coun- contact rugby cil, Rugby league for 18 League has plus with great been deliv- health outcomes ered to 55 and gives those schools with who cannot play the majority contact sport to of these be- be involved. ing primary schools. Street Rugby The provi- increased and sion of rug- developed in by league Street Rugby League takes the game into Estates 9 areas across in North Wales can- Wrexham, Flintshire and not develop or expand Denbighshire, 5/9 are without the expansion of ham and Flintshire, 8 league club, Safe Guard- structured areas and saw a solid work force. part-time flexi coaches, 6 ing & protecting chil- 80 registered members In this document the active referees and 2 per- dren, club welfare offic- and 120 sessions deliv- work force relates to formance physios along ers, referees, secondary ered in disadvantaged paid staff and volunteers. with a total of 51 volun- school teacher workshop areas. Both are Ambassadors of teers of whom 46 are ac- courses were delivered Wales Rugby League as tive in North Wales deliv- up skilling 70 people 2012 IN PICTURES

SENIOR TEST SERIES AUTUMN

FRANCE V WALES ------LENS ------OCTOBER 20 2012 David James scores against France (left)

Rhodri Lloyd on the attack (left) while takes on the French (right) ------WALES V ENGLAND ------

WREXHAM scores ------a try against OCTOBER 27 England (right) 2012 UNDER 18 TEST SERIES

ENGLAND 24 WALES 30

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STREET RUGBY LEAGUE INITIATIVE ------STUDENTS FRESHERS WEEK - SEPTEMBER

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PENALLTA STORM

WRL CLUB OF THE YEAR 2012 MEDIA AND PR REPORT Ian Golden. January - July 2012 Gary Baker. August - December 2012

INTRODUCTION speaking school to reach the tournament final and, though they lost to Wakefield’s Outwood Grange School, we re- Gary Baker came into the role of Media Manager in Au- ceived a number of column inches in Welsh and specialist gust 2012 after Ian Golden moved on to work fully with rugby league media (League Express and League Weekly) the South Wales Scorpions. Therefore, this media and PR on this. Indeed, League Express and League Weekly have review is split into two, one for the first seven months of been particularly keen to help the WRL in promoting the the year that Ian has written and the other for the remain- sport here, while, when there is a good story to be told, the ing five months from Gary. national media have been interested. During this initial week, the North Wales Conference final was also coming JANUARY – JULY - Ian Golden to a climax with games receiving extensive coverage in the local regional media. January – Mike Nicholas making the RFL role of hon- our. Reported in local Welsh newspapers and trade press. Wales Rugby League continued to use social media as a medium to reach more people and provided regular up- March - The announcement that Matt Pritchard was to dates via Facebook and Twitter. be an Olympic torchbearer. It made North Wales newspa- pers and the trade press. October was jam-packed with the Autumn Test matches, The announcement that the would particularly the preparations for the match with England. open the 2013 World Cup. The launch was made at the The WRL appointed Huw Evans Agency, Cardiff, as our Stadium and as well as appearing on Welsh news and in official photographers. Mark Rowley made initial contact newspapers, it made many international outlets in the and asked Gary to liaise with them. As such, Huw Evans rugby league world. travelled to France to take pictures of our Test match which, despite losing, gave us exposure, with Gary’s April – Crusaders v Scorpions screened live across the match report words, throughout many national publica- globe, over 30 countries around the world thanks to Pre- tions from the BBC both nationally and in Wales to the mier Sports and Setanta. Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Mirror and National semi-final of Champion Schools contested by Mail on Sunday. two Welsh speaking schools. This was publicised and re- ported in two different programmes – Preparations for the Wales v England game began and Ffeil. many weeks before the October 27 match which includ- ed arranging media accreditation for national broadcast- May – The launch of the North Wales Conference. ers and newspapers, local media and RFL and Rugby Reported in The Leader, Daily Post and national trade League World Cup 2013 public relations operations. press. In the pre-match week, there was a press conference at June – Opening of the new Deeside Centre. Reported on Deeside Leisure Centre in association with the launch of by local and national media, newspapers, radio and TV. the North Wales RPDC. That saw reporters coming from There was a nine-minute segment on Boots N All. This the likes of BBC National radio/TV and BBC Manches- doubled up as a preview for the Wales v France summer ter (Ray French), The Sun (Gary Carter), The Guardian game. (Andy Wilson) and other national media to speak to Wales winning the Student Four Nations. Reported in Iestyn Harris, and Rhodri Lloyd. most major Welsh newspapers and in the trade press. Some local media attended the final game. September was also busy with the build-up towards the Autumn Test matches with France in Lens and England July – Wales Rugby League started a Wheelchair team at Wrexham’s Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground. and came second in the Four Nations. This included obtaining interviews with players and man- agement for the home programme, putting our profile out to the national media for these games and publising AUGUST – DECEMBER - Gary Baker them via a social media campaign. Additionally, the WRL looked at launching a women’s team for this year’s World Wales Rugby League saw one of their schools Ysgol Gy- Cup where we again received some publicity, including fun Gymraeg in Ystalyfera in the National Schools Rugby BBC Wales online, when Commonwealth Games athlete League finals in Bradford who became the first Welsh- Carys Parry took part in a training session. tions on stage from Iestyn Harris in a Question Time-style There were also various meet- talk and with the presences at The Senydd, Cardiff Bay, of ings along with Mark Row- Brian Juliff, Mark Rowley and Wales international Rho- ley with Welsh sportswoman dri Lloyd, among others. Non Evans, who was helping to spread the word, along with Secondly, the Wales Under-18s Test match programme contacting specialist women’s which culminated in the game against the Australia Insti- magazines, especially the on- tute of Sport at The Gnoll, Neath. Wales played outstand- line site Sportsister.com ingly well to beat both Scotland and England in these first two matches, with the English victory particularly The end of the year, late No- pleasing. For these, we gained many column inches and vember and December, was space on websites before another good PR show includ- dominated by two things. The ing Footy News website in Australia. One Year To Go evening for WRL Media the Overall, a very busy year with great feedback from the Manager Gary which was reported around various partners worked with in the local and national Baker Wales and in which Wales RL media. had a large part with contribu-