Newport Gwent Dragons and the WRU are joining forces to unify school, club and regional rugby at Under 15 level.
To celebrate this new partnership, players from schools across the region have been invited to a launch on Thursday where they will participate in skills sessions in conjunction with the Royal Navy and talks from Dragons stalwarts Marc Stcherbina and Colin Charvis.
From next season the Dragons academy will be assisting the region’s four school district sides, Blaenau Gwent, Pontypool, Newport and Caerphilly with administration for the teams as well as providing kit and offering clinics for the coaches.
“The Dewar Shield offers the best development and player identification opportunities for this age group,” said Dragons Academy Manager Will Thomas. “Players such Ashley Smith and Lewis Evans came through this tournament playing for Newport schools, winning the Morgan Griffiths Cup on the way. Jason Tovey also excelled with Islwyn schools and their success is testament to the importance of this tournament. The Dragons academy is now in a position to offer our full support to the school districts in our region. This will enable our school districts to develop as teams and help the region identify more of these players at a younger age.
“It’s no coincidence that The Cardiff Blues, who have such a successful regional Under 16 side, are very strong in the Dewar Shield.
“As this competition was identified as the premier competition at this age level, to enhance the players development, we identified all of our best players should be playing in this competition. This will now be seen as the primary route into region rugby at Under 16 level. Ultimately, this is where our future academy and senior professional players will be initially identified.”
The Dewar Shield sees school district teams from all over Wales, including the four regions playing a series of friendlies and group matches. Then depending on results the teams go on to compete in the Dewar Shield or Morgan Griffiths Cup.
Dragons Rugby Manager Robert Beale said, “These competitions are vital for identifying future regional players.
“This move will enable resources and talent to be concentrated into these four teams and ensure that the best future players in the region don’t slip through the net.
“The Dewar Shield games will now be watched by our regional and academy coaches in order top identify future regional players.”
To celebrate this new partnership, players from schools across the region have been invited to a launch on Thursday where they will participate in skills sessions in conjunction with the Royal Navy and talks from Dragons stalwarts Marc Stcherbina and Colin Charvis.
From next season the Dragons academy will be assisting the region’s four school district sides, Blaenau Gwent, Pontypool, Newport and Caerphilly with administration for the teams as well as providing kit and offering clinics for the coaches.
“The Dewar Shield offers the best development and player identification opportunities for this age group,” said Dragons Academy Manager Will Thomas. “Players such Ashley Smith and Lewis Evans came through this tournament playing for Newport schools, winning the Morgan Griffiths Cup on the way. Jason Tovey also excelled with Islwyn schools and their success is testament to the importance of this tournament. The Dragons academy is now in a position to offer our full support to the school districts in our region. This will enable our school districts to develop as teams and help the region identify more of these players at a younger age.
“It’s no coincidence that The Cardiff Blues, who have such a successful regional Under 16 side, are very strong in the Dewar Shield.
“As this competition was identified as the premier competition at this age level, to enhance the players development, we identified all of our best players should be playing in this competition. This will now be seen as the primary route into region rugby at Under 16 level. Ultimately, this is where our future academy and senior professional players will be initially identified.”
The Dewar Shield sees school district teams from all over Wales, including the four regions playing a series of friendlies and group matches. Then depending on results the teams go on to compete in the Dewar Shield or Morgan Griffiths Cup.
Dragons Rugby Manager Robert Beale said, “These competitions are vital for identifying future regional players.
“This move will enable resources and talent to be concentrated into these four teams and ensure that the best future players in the region don’t slip through the net.
“The Dewar Shield games will now be watched by our regional and academy coaches in order top identify future regional players.”
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