The 2008 junior season will kick off with a bang this year as both Wales Rugby League and the Super League will be assisting in the launch. With Millennium Magic around the corner all twelve Super League clubs are sending representatives down to the principality to help spread the message of rugby league. Throughout their stay they will be visiting schools all over South Wales to deliver assemblies and conduct coaching sessions.

In the evenings during their stay they will be helping out all the junior clubs to launch their season with expert coaching. All conference clubs are on board and will be launching on Wednesday 9th April. For specific times and venues keep checking local press and the forums.

On the back of the most successful international junior winter season Wales Rugby League sees the summer competition as an important part of the continued development of rugby league in Wales. Wales development officer and U16 coach Aled James said “to push

England so close on Good Friday is testament to the hard work Wales Rugby League and Celtic Crusaders have been doing in the Champion Schools programme; more schools playing equals more youngsters playing, and this now needs to be transferred to the summer conference”

This year’s junior summer conference will be contested by a record number of teams and age groups.  Newport, Cardiff, NPT Steelers, Blackwood and Swansea will continue to run their junior teams with new teams being run by Bridgend, Torfaen, West Wales Sharks and the Tydfil Wildcats form Merthyr. James added “to see new teams and age groups springing up across South Wales is a huge pat on the back for the volunteers that continue to put in time and effort to develop our sport. To see all Super League clubs keen to help on this occasion is great”.

article by Dan Clements
5 April 2008