GRANTS AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE RUGBY FACILITIES IN WALES The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that, in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), funding has been made available for rugby clubs in Wales. Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to WRU member rugby clubs to improve community facilities for public benefit and to increase opportunities in Wales' social and sporting community. This is a one-off funding scheme. Grants are available by 'matching' clubs own funds on a pound for pound basis this can be achieved by utilising the WRU Loan Scheme or other external funding. The deadline for this scheme is midday on Friday, 31 July 2009. Trust Chairman, Tom Jones, said, "The Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union to distribute this funding and hopes to award grants that improve the life quality of people living in Wales, in line with the Trust's objectives The funding is available to the Trust through a unique relationship that sees a levy on tickets sold at the Millennium Stadium. The total investment made by the Trust through this and our other scheme will be more than £3.5 million since our creation eight years ago." WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: "A winning Wales at the highest level needs the game to thrive at the grass roots. Thousands of volunteer coaches, team managers, match officials and administrators around Wales do an amazing job in nurturing our young talent - but it is important that the facilities available to our players and coaches match that level of commitment." Further information can be found by logging on to: www.wru.co.uk/12989.php Further information on the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust can be found at www.millenniumstadiumtrust.co.uk For further information contact: Sarah Fox Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust c/o Fusion Sponsorship Ltd Email: sarah@fusionuk.org.uk Telephone: 02920494963
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The Osprey's Squad will be returning to Rhyl Rugby Club at the Waen on the 18th July 2009 in conjunction with N-Power Renewables On July 18 2009 RWE npower renewables is hosting a rugby festival at Rhyl Rugby Club. The event is open to the general public and will include a number of events including a training display, coaching clinic and a 7's tournament for senior players. This year's event is again being supported by the Ospreys, and a squad of around 30 players will be at the event, along with Ospreys coaching staff. RWE npower renewables North Wales Rugby Festival Programme of Events 10.00am Ospreys begin training demonstration 11.00am Training demonstration ends 11.15am demonstration Coaching 12.00pm Photo opportunity for participants of coaching clinics* 12.30pm Break for lunch 2.00pm 7's Tournament begins 5.00pm Trophy presentations
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WRU WOMEN'S SUMMER SKILLS DAYS The WRU Women’s Summer Skills Days are being organised for all senior and under 20s players (age 17 by 1st September 09) to be held on Sunday 26th July at Llanidloes RFC and Sunday 23rd August at Llandovery RFC. The two days incorporate skills, fitness and conditioning and provides the opportunity to be seen by National coaches. It is therefore essential that anyone who has aspirations to play for Wales under 20s or seniors attends this programme. The days will run from 10am to 3pm delivered by a range of guest coaches. Please arrive at 9.30am for a prompt 10.00am start. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of fluids. The cost of the programme is £10 inclusive of both days. Please send application forms and payment to Nicola Smith, WRU, Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS.
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SCARLETS VISIT NEWTOWN RFC Hundreds of youngsters turned out to play rugby with their Scarlets heroes as Newtown RFC played host to the Scarlets squad at their home ground in Powys today (Fri). The full Scarlets squad were given a warm welcome by a big crowd of members of rugby club as the players took the time to assist with a skills and training session with the junior section. More than 100 young players aged between six and 16 were joined by Scarlets stars such as Mark Jones, David Lyons, Jonathan Davies, Daniel Evans, Simon Easterby, Regan King and Morgan Stoddart. The youngsters shone as the players put them through their paces, with plenty of tips and advice given out at the training session. Nick James from Newtown Rugby Club said: "It was absolutely brilliant to see top rugby stars from the Scarlets taking part in our training session. To see the looks on the faces of our junior members as the Scarlets walked down the hill to our training fields is something we'll remember for years to come. This visit is exactly the type of motivation and inspiration that clubs like ours need to get young players keen to play and learn rugby and to attract new members. To play rugby with their heroes is such a great inspiration and the Scarlets players were great and joined in with lots of enthusiasm in all the skills sessions we were running." Scarlets captain, Mark Jones, originally from Builth Wells said: "We had a very warm welcome it's great to be out in the community talking to young players and encouraging them. We did a spot of talent spotting too, there were a couple of young players that looked very promising for the future!" Rupert Moon, Commercial Director of the Scarlets who led the tour across Wales which included a trip to the Eisteddfod at Bala and then to Aberaeron RFC, said: "Our mission is to make supporting the Scarlets feel like being part of one big family. To be out and about is exactly what we need to do to spread that message and make people feel part of our rugby region by meeting our players and staff face-to-face."