Wales Rugby League have issued a rallying call for all Welsh qualified students in part time (minimum 8 hours per week) and full time education to try out for the national team that will play in the Students' Home Championship over the Easter 2006 period. Those games, against the International Students' teams from England, Ireland and Scotland will be preceded by a regional carnival in the North of England, where Wales will play against sides representing Yorkshire, Lancashire, London & the South East, Cumbria and the Midlands, and the cream of the Welsh talent will go forward for selection by the Great Britain's Students side which take on world cup finalists Australia later in the year.

Earlier this year, the Welsh Students' side traveled to Australia to participate in the Students' World Cup and whilst the team put up some courageous performances against the likes of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, they were ultimately over-powered and out-smarted by better prepared more physical Southern Hemisphere outfits.

Newly appointed Welsh Students' Team Manager, Jason Massey, of Aberavon Fighting Irish, is keen that Wales take on board the lessons learned from their antipodean adventures and has set about assembling what he hopes will be Wales' best prepared and strongest ever team at this level.

Under the experienced eyes of coaches Rhodri Thomas and Anthony Loxton, training for the 2006 programme has begun in earnest at the Little Warren playing fields, Port Talbot, home of Aberavon Green Stars RFC. A large turn out at the first session was encouraging, but Massey is under no illusions of the size of the task ahead:

"The strength and depth of Students' Rugby League in the other home nations has come on significantly over

the past 3 years, and although we are reigning home nations champions, we know we will have to be at our very best if we are to retain our title. As such, we intend to cast our net as widely as possible to ensure that we give the opportunity for all Welsh qualified students over the age of 17 to represent their country.

Those in further and higher education, in or outside Wales are eligible and at this stage, experience of playing Rugby League, whilst desirable, is not essential. We know, that in Wales there is some superb innate rugby ability and our experience with the summer conference competition has shown us, that with a little application, and willingness to learn, players can quite easily transfer their skills to the 13 a side code.

As such, I would urge all interested students to contact me in order that I may invite them to our next training session, where our coaching team can assess their suitability for further involvement. At worse, students will have the opportunity to experience a great new sport, and if they are talented enough, could find themselves donning the coveted Welsh cap come Easter next year."

As an added incentive to would-be students representatives, Wales Rugby League, the national governing body , will be taking a more hands-on role in the organisation of Students' Rugby league in the principality, to ensure that it takes its rightful place on the emerging player pathway and development framework for the sport in Wales.

Any Welsh students wishing to be considered for selection for the Wales Students' International Team should contact the team manager Jason Massey on 07811 264091 or email: walesstudentrugbyleague@hotmail.com

Article by John O'Callaghan
30 Nov 2005