Coaches Ian Rowlands and Terry Cooksley have selected the following squad to play against Swansea at Bonymaen RFC on Sunday 1st February. Players are requested to arrive at 11am for a 12 noon kick off. I am sure that all members of the squad along with myself would like to wish coach Terry Cooksley a speedy recovery after recently being admitted to hospital.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Coaches Andrew Thomas and Adrian Locke have selected the the following sides for the games with swansea on Sunday 1st February. Arrangements for Sunday will be given to players at the training session on Friday evening:

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Unfortunately the field at Aberavon Green Stars is unfit for training on Friday evening so training is cancelled. Players are requested to keep checking the website for information with regards to the fixture with Swansea on Sunday 1st February.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer.

Unfortunately Swansea under 13’s are unable to play this weekend (Sunday) and we are unable to find a field with floodlights for a Friday evening game so the matches with them have been postponed and will be played on the Friday of half term.

Training takes place this Friday (30th) at the Afan Lido 5pm as usual.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Corus Minis are looking for 9’s and 10’s to play us at home on Sunday 1st february, any club interested please contact Helene on 07877 336792 by friday.

Also looking for 8’s, 10’s and 11’s for Sunday 8th February, please contact same number as above.

On Sunday February 1st we will play Swansea at Bonymaen (and Cefn Hengoed School) at ages 12’s/13’s and 14’s. All players will be involved as there will be two fixtures per age group.

First fixtures will kick off at 11am (12’s/13’s and 14’s development) and the other games will kick off as soon as possible thereafter.

In Half Term (Tuesday 17th February) we will be playing development fixtures away (venue to be confirmed) with Bridgend. Under 12’s will kick off at 10.30am, 13’s at 12 noon and the 14’s at 1.30pm.

On Sunday 1st March players not used in Half Term will play against Bridgend at Home; venue and times to be confirmed.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Just a reminder to all member of the Afan Nedd District under 14 squad that there is a training session at Llandarcy Academy of Sport on Monday 19th January.

Players need to arrive just before 5pm and there will be an indoor practical session from 5pm till 6pm. That session wil be made up of 25 minutes of developing players vision and 25 minutes of conditioning. The conditioning which deals with learning about the core skills are essential for any player who wishes to progress to the more demanding training sessions that will be a part of Regional rugby.

Between 6pm and 7pm Mr Alun Davies will be taking a session entitled 100% ME. In this session he covers the pitfalls of taking over the counter drugs for a cold or flu, which could later lead to a player failing a drugs test, etc.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

The following clubs in the Afan Nedd District have not applied to the WRU for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure forms and need to implement the proceedure immediately: Baglan, Banwen, Cwmtwrch, Neath Athletic, Aberavon Naval Club and Cimla.

The following clubs have applied for the forms but have not completed them and forwarded them on to the WRU; they also need to act immediately: Aberavon Green Stars, Aberavon Harlequins, Briton Ferry, Crynant, Cwmavon, Cwnmgors, Pontardawe, Seven Sisters, Skewen, Tonmawr, Ystalafera and Ystradgynlais.

For further information with regards to this issue conat Catherine Lumb (WRU) on 02920 822442 or clumb@wru.co.uk

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Coaches have a free invitation to attend any of the Coaching Seminars that are being run by the Ospreys.

1. ‘Scrum Philosophy’ with John Humphreys at Kenfig Hill RFC on Wednesday 11th February.
2. ‘Individual Skills’ focussing on the offload and continuity with Gruff Rees at Kenfig Hill RFC on Wednesday 21st January and at Dunvant RFC on Wednesday 25th February.

All sessions start at 7pm and are concluded with a question and answer session.

If you have any queries about these seminars please address them to Coach Development Officer, Tony Thomas on tthomas@wru.co.uk or 07909582867.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer

Tomorrow (Friday 16th January) the district teams return to training.

Under 12’s and 13’s at Afan Lido 5pm to 6pm

Under 14’s at Aberavon Green Stars 6pm to 7.15pm.

Under 16’s return next week (Friday 23rd) to the Llandarcy Academy at 6.30pm to 8pm.

David Arthur

Afan Nedd Development Officer