Neath RFC Junior Development

Steve Thornton of Bergoni pictured with Neath & District U11s
to whom the Company supplied sponsored Fleece's

Neath Junior Development are now well underway with the U15's squad of 24 having attended their first session last week. The U14's squad have now been selected and will soon be informed accordingly. The U13's, U12's U11's and U10's will be selected in the near future, but please be patient. Hopefully future sessions will include an anti drug awareness presentation by the Local Constabulary Anti Drugs Squad, a talk by top local referee Nigel Williams and a presentation on professional rugby and contracts by WRU Player Contract Manager Nigel Walker.

The venture is self funding and relies upon the support of local business and community. Without the help of the following sponsors this new venture would not be possible. Our grateful thanks go to Stadium Toyota who are our main sponsor and also to Safeway Stores Neath, Neath R.F.C. Patrons Association, I.V.A. Engineering Ltd., G.P. Hydraulics, C. & D.A. Lester, Monks & Crane, Cymru Automation, Nigel Gunter and Arthur Bowden MBE who have all contributed to this worthy cause. Anyone interested in sponsoring our Junior Development please contact Alan Williams via the Club Office or on 07980541330.

Our volunteer Junior Development Coaches are doing a great job and must commended for giving up their valuable time and showing such enthusiasm and commitment to the development of young players in the district, many thanks to Jeff Davies, Steve Davies, David Williams, Richard Williams, Gary Davies, David Evans, Martyn Bate, Martyn Williams, Steve Ireland, Peter McNeil, Wayne Phillips and Courtney Lester.

Please give generously to tonight's bucket collection, which is being collected by our Development Coaches who are being assisted by our U15's Development Squad. The players included in these squads are we feel the best in their age group in the Neath and District and the development of these players is vital for the continued success of Neath Rugby Club.

Neath RFC have recently started a new initiative to stop the drain of talented young rugby players from the area to other Clubs. The area has always produced quality rugby players, many of who have gone on to represent Wales. The Club now feels that the time is right to introduce a Junior Coaching system that will identify local talent and then turn this talent into first class rugby players.

The Club ran a summer school, based at Tonna RFC (as the Courage Gnoll was unavailable) but returned to the Courage Gnoll for its last two weeks. The initiative has been well received by the local Junior Clubs, who have sent over 500 young players aged between 10 years and 15 years to the six sessions.

The Club is very grateful to the main sponsors who are Stadium Garage and Safeway Stores of Neath who have been very generous. While a donation has also been received from the Club's Patrons Association.

The Junior Development is currently being organised by the Club's two Development Officers Jeff Davies and Steve Davies while Alan Williams is the Admin Officer. Alan Williams said "The Club can no longer pluck players like Shane Williams out of thin air and turn them into Internationals.

We have to be pro-active in Junior Development and hopefully we have found the right formula, with the more talented local junior players coming to the Courage Gnoll for regular Coaching sessions while they still play for their Clubs". The Coaching sessions have been organised by the Club's Development Officers, who have received superb support from the Coaches of local Clubs.

Many Thank go to Martin Bate, Richard Williams, David Evans, Gary Davies, David Williams, Mark Sweeney and anyone else who has helped with the Junior Development and a special thank you to our hosts Tonna RFC.