NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER The first year of the Cardiff Blues Welsh School’s Satellite programme is underway and it has proved to be a hit with staff and students alike.
Here is a look at the highlights, the upcoming events and a special mention to some of our successful students from the programme this far.
TUTOR TELLS OF PROGRAMME’S SUCCESSFUL START We spoke to Aberdare Community School’s tutor Mr. Price about how he thought the first few months of teaching the course had gone and how his students have embraced the programme so far.
Mr. Price said, “With the way that the programme is set up the learners know exactly what they need with their UCAS points and know exactly what they need to go to University after they finish.”
The whole school has been affected by the programme, both in the sporting arena and around the school itself.
Mr. Price has been impressed by the attendances of his students since the start of the programme.
an understanding of how their bodies work after the lessons and they’re motivated to do the right things, some learners have mentioned that they are already seeing the benefits.”
He said, “With the learners being involved in an enjoyable course like this one we have “The fitness testing they have been noticed that the attainment levels have taking part in has given them a better been extremely high with every student understanding of how the body works and hitting Merit and Distinction targets.” on top of that they are now training three or “Not only have they been here their four times a week compared to just once concentration levels have improved greatly with their clubs like they were doing before while undertaking this programme.” He added. taking part in the programme. We have had The mix of practical sport and classroom a partnership with Breeze’s Gym, run by education has had a positive effect on Commonwealth Gold medallist Michaela the learners with results already apparent. Breeze, so the group have experienced They’ve even had a little help along the way some proper strength and conditioning, from some famous athletes. you just don’t get that with A Levels.” The Aberdare tutor explained, “With the sport side of the course you can see that the learners are motivated. They now have
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Many of the learners plan to go to University after the course and the planning has been made easier by the programme structure.
“We have seen a vast improvement in the technical elements in both the football and rugby teams. The improvement by students on the course has benefitted the school as a whole with three people from our programme scoring for the school’s senior team in their recent Welsh Cup game against Barry Boys School.”
“We have noticed that the younger kids have been looking up to this group of learners as role models and many could follow this group in undertaking the programme.” Mr. Price was full of compliments for the staff at TVS Education, the company behind the programme. “The TVS Education sources have been really helpful in delivering the teaching and the back up from the staff has been great, they are always there to help.”
NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
SCHOOLS ATTEND BLUES OPEN DAY The three schools on the programme all took part in an open day at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park this month and it was a great success. The day went ahead prior to the Cardiff Blues Pro12 game against the Glasgow Warriors and the learners had the opportunity to watch World Cup stars such as Sam Warburton, Alex Cuthbert, Lloyd Williams and Gethin Jenkins being put through their paces in their team run. After watching the hour long run through, Wales’ scrum half Lloyd Williams and rising star Ellis Jenkins then gave a Q&A session with the learners about pursuing a career in sport. The pair talked about everything from what to eat, how to train and even the importance of making friends in the game.
After meeting the Cardiff Blues players it was time for the learners themselves to take to the turf. The schools mixed together for a training session on the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park pitch and even though the weather was not the greatest the learners had a full session on the immaculate 3G surface.
STAR SPORTING STUDENTS The Cardiff Blues Welsh Satellite Scheme is not short of sporting talent, both on the rugby pitch and in a wide spectrum of other sports. In the first termly newsletter we thought we would mention two learners in recognition of their sporting success.
CRICKHOWELL SERVING UP SPORTING SUCCESS Rebekah O’Loughlin
Crickhowell student Rebekah O’Loughlin has proved she is no slouch with a tennis racquet in hand. She has already gained a Gold Medal for the Ladies Doubles in the Youth Commonwealth games as well as winning the Welsh National Doubles title and Cheltenham Open Singles tournament. All this at the tender age of 17. Despite all the success on the court Rebekah is not ready to stop there. When asked what the future holds the young talent says she wants to reach a high ranking in the British Open Singles with the aim of becoming a professional tennis player. She also added “I believe that the course is going well, considering I’m away quite often due to tennis tournaments but I am determined to try and keep up with all work.”
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Dawid Rubasniak
Dawid Rubasniak has been part of a regional set up since the age of 14 and has seen him progress from the under 16s to his final season in the under 18s this year. He is also taking part on the course in Crickhowell while progressing on the field. As well as being part of a Region’s Tier 1 academy the young flanker was part of the Wales under 18s squad this year when they met up back in August. The regular season has not got underway for Dawid yet but so far has he has had a successful pre-season. He has been part of wins against English outfits Northampton Saints and also the London based Harlequins.
NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
LEARNERS ENJOYING THE COURSE SO FAR We quickly caught up with two Aberdare Community School’s rugby learners and St Cyres’ Corey Warry to see how they are finding the first few months on the new programme. Jay Powles and Kye Lloyd took time for a few questions in between their busy learning schedule. How are you finding the course so far? Jay Powles – “I’m really enjoying the course and it’s been really helpful.” Kye Lloyd – “I enjoy the work in the classroom and then applying what we learn to the practical stuff. I’m now playing rugby everyday which is great and I enjoy doing that. Dan (Cardiff Blues Coach) is quite helpful with it all. He has helped us with all different stretches and then we go and incorporate that into our work.” Corey Warry – “The course is great, it’s really helping me improve my knowledge of sport and skills in rugby. The coaches are really experienced and make the sessions enjoyable whilst learning new skills.”
It must be great feeling to wear the Cardiff Blues badge? Kye Lloyd – “It’s great to see all the boys in the Cardiff Blues kit. It looks really good and it really makes us feel like we are representing something. We’ve still got some bits of kit to come and I can’t wait to get it now!” Jay Powles – “Most of us are Blues fans as well so it’s great to wear their kit!” Corey Warry – “It’s great wearing the Cardiff Blues badge and feeling part of the Cardiff Blues community. When we all wear it we feel a sense of pride and all feel like we belong to something”
What do you want to do after the course and is it helping you achieve that? Jay Powles – “I want to go to University and do Physiotherapy. The course is definitely helping me move towards that goal. The course is taught in a way that helps us understand. Doing both the classroom work and then applying it in a practical environment is a great way of learning.” Kye Lloyd – “I want to be a Physio as well. The Biology aspects we are learning is exactly what we need to learn about to do a course like that. Playing rugby every day has also made us a lot fitter and I’m feeling the benefits.” Corey Warry – “I would love to be a pro player and gain a contract. If I can’t achieve this I still want a career in sport and either become a pro coach or a Development Officer. The course and different modules help give me a better understanding of all aspects of sport and different roles involved in it”
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From L to R: jay Powles, Kye Lloyd, Corey Warry
NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
BOLD BLUES MISS OUT IN HOME RETURN The Rugby World Cup has proved to be a huge success in Cardiff with the Millennium Stadium at the heart of the action. However, it’s not the only stadium that has played its part in Cardiff’s success as thousands of fans from all around the world have packed into the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park fan zone to watch the game on the big screen. Now with all the fixtures done and dusted in the Welsh capital the Cardiff Blues returned to action on home soil against the Glasgow Warriors on November 7. A brave performance saw the home team narrowly miss out on victory. Rhys Patchell kicked 18 points against the Scottish outfit but it was not quite enough as a late Warriors try meant the Blues went down 3035 in what was a brave display. Cardiff led at half time and going into the last 15 minutes thanks to a first half Gavin Evans try and the boot of Patchell.
Two tries in quick succession from Warriors Ryan Grant and Scottish skipper Jonny Gray gave Glasgow control before a frantic final few minutes.
The Blues were awarded a penalty try after a cynical Stuart Hogg knock on denied a certain score and it meant that the Blues were just five points behind going into the final stages. A tense last few minutes saw the home team throw everything at the Scots but Danny Wilson’s men had to settle for a much deserved losing bonus point.
WEBSITE AND TWITTER With the launch of this new course there is also a new website to keep up to date. The website is now live and you can keep track of results, match reports, news and check out the player profiles. You can see all this at www.cardiffbluesrepc.com Our Twitter is also now up and running. @blues_repc will keep you up to date with website content, scores and everything to do with the programme. Get following now!
What’s going on?
If you think you have something that is worthy of making next terms newsletter send your suggestions to tom.phillips@tvseducation.com.
Contact the school
Aberdare Community School E-Mail: school@aberdareschool.co.uk Tel: 01685 888 500 Twitter: @AberdareSchool Crickhowell High School E-Mail: office@crickhowell-hs.powys.sch.uk Tel: 01873 813 500 Twitter: @crickhowellhs St Cyres School E-Mail: contact@stcyres.org Tel: 029 2070 8708 Twitter: @StCyresSchool