by Matt Slater & Dylan James
CHILDREN from 14 primary schools in the Pontypridd area are taking part in the inaugural World Cup Tag Rugby Festival at Sport Park, Treforest.
First-year students studying BSc (Hons) Rugby Coaching and Performance at the University of South Wales have been working with the Pontypridd Valleys Rugby Initiative to develop their coaching skills.
They will showcase them at the festival, which will be World Cup-themed, and the school children will be representing different nations.
Years 4, 5 and 6 will be represented and the 150 boys and girls taking part will be involved with what the university hopes will be an annual festival.
Barbarians head coach, Warren Gatland, is expected to put in an appearance at the event.
Ben Daniels – who also works as the course technical demonstrator – explained how crucial the build-up to the event had been for the students: “It has been fantastic to showcase what the students have learned.”
He also added the importance of creating a relationship with the community for both the students and the university.
“It’s all about fun and enjoyment, we want to give something back to the community and are looking to work as closely as we can with primary and secondary schools, as well as clubs.
“The festival is all about inclusion and giving back to the community. We want to make them feel a part of the University, something the course has been trying to grow over the years.”
USW’s ‘barn’ at the Sport Park in Treforest has hosted the Barbarians this week as they train ahead of their clash with Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Daniels said the impact of such high calibre players being in and around the facility where students are being taught has been positive.
