Girls 7s Festival

Rain, rain go away

Due to the recent wet weather and pitch puddles the third and final game for the Gogledd Cymru U18s (V Blues) will now have to be postponed until the New Year. Training will continue - all U18 squad members will be informed if we need to relocate for Wednesday training.
The U15s were due to play their postponed game v Ospreys today at Bro Ffestiniog but this has been postponed again, this time due to the weather, so the U15s have 2 games to play.

No news

Apologies for lack of recent information - computer problems - hopefully will be sorted soon.

Scarlets v Gogledd Cymru U18s

The girls travelled down to Llanelli to Parc y Scarlets on Sunday 11 October. It was a long, long journey - starting at 6am and involved many windy roads and many nauseous people! By the time we arrived to a friendly warm welcome from Helen and the Scarlets officials the girls were not in the best shape for a game of rugby, not helped from having to warm up in the training barn, which was very warm and sticky.
The game was fast paced and the Gogledd girls played well for a first outing, with several inexperienced players, but were no match for the well drilled Scarlets girls who came away with a 34-0 win. The Scarlets players and many of the spectators felt the scoreline did not reflect the game and the Gogledd coaches were justly proud of the players as they never let their heads drop and carried on fighting until the final whistle.

Captain

There will be different Captains and Vice Captains for the Gogledd Cymru U18s for each regional match.
The Captain for Sunday's match V Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets is Kumari Tilakawardane, the Vice captain is Gwen Harries.

Sunday - Parc y Scarlets

Coach pick up times:

Bangor One stop - 06.00
Colwyn Bay RFC - 06.30
Llanwrst Police Station - 06.50
Bro Ffestiniog RFC - 07.15

Interesting website

There is a new website dedicated to women's rugby - ScrumQueens - there is a link in the box below on the right.

Glossop - Sunday 4 October

The coach will be leaving Colwyn Bay RFC at 10.30 - be there no later than 10.15.

Sunday training

Training at Colwyn Bay RFC Sunday 27 September - 2pm.

Sunday's match

Match report on U18 Mermaids blog.

Top marks

Well done to all those who attended training last night - almost a full house - only 1 potential squad member who has not yet attended training with the squad. There are only 2 practice matches before the regional matches begin - this Sunday at Sandbach and 4 October at Glossop.

Welcome

We have heard today that girl's rugby is taking a short break at Bangor RFC but they hope to be re-starting soon. If any of the Bangor girls want to carry on training they are welcome to join us at Llandudno RFC on Wednesday evenings from 6 - 8pm or Colwyn Bay RFC on Thursdays 6.45 - 8.30pm. For further details contact: ann@colwynbayrugby.co.uk

Regional awards

After the development day the annual regional awards were given out - the main ceremony had taken place some weeks previously in South Wales but due to exam pressures most of the Gogledd girls had been unable to attend so Nicola Smith, Women's Community Rugby Manager travelled down to Denbigh to present the awards.
Trophies were awarded to Colwyn Bay U18 & U15 Mermaids for being 'Club of the Year' and Ellen Jones was presented with her trophy as Gogledd Cymru U18 Player of the Year and Eurgain Llwyd received her trophy as U15 Player of the Year. The regional players who were present were then presented with a medal to commemorate their involvement with the regional side.
A surprise (at least to the recipient!) award was then announced - Ann Tilakawardane, Gogledd Cymru U18 girls manager, was presented with an award for 'Contribution to Women's Rugby 2008 - 2009'.

Some members of Gogledd Cymru U18s 2008-09 with their medals.

Some members of Gogledd Cymru U15s 2008-09 with their medals

Denbigh 16 August 2009

The last of the summer development days took place at Denbigh Rugby Club on an almost sunny day. There was a mixed age range of girls - both U15 and U18 plus a couple of older players who came along for the awards ceremony and joined in the training, among them Wales U20 player Yasmin Leung, who was happy to share her expertise with the younger girls. The girls were coached in skills for the first half of the session but asked to play a game so a modified game was played, in view of the fact that the ages were mixed (though some of the younger players were more than able to challenge the older girls!)

The Gogledd Cymru coaches were able to add a few more players to the list of potential regional players after seeing the skills on offer.

Bro Ffestiniog RFC

The second development day was held on Sunday 2 August in Bro Ffestionog RFC.

A large contingent of local girls were waiting - what some of them lacked in experience they made up for in enthusiasm! Several players from other clubs also made the journey to Bro.

With 4 experienced coaches available the girls were split into groups and while some were coached in game play, some concentrated on tackling and defence, with the groups rotating through the coaching stations so that all tried all areas.

Such enthusiasm was shown that most of the girls are planning to come to the regional training sessions held on Wednesdays at Llandudno RFC - these sessions are open to all who want to improve their rugby skills.

Mill Bank, Holyhead

The first of the planned development days took place in cool, blustery conditions at Mill Bank, Holyhead on Sunday. The girls were introduced to the new assistant coach for the Gogledd Cymru U18 girls - Tom Rogers. The afternoon started with core skills before the coaches decided to challenge the girls to a game. This started as a casual, friendly skirmish before competitive instincts took over and all began to play to win - a very entertaining sight!

Development days

The first of the planned development days is this Sunday at Mill Bank, Holyhead 12.30 - 4.30. Remember to bring a snack and a drink. Don't forget your gumshields as Louis is planning to do some contact training with the more experienced players.

No time to rest!

I know the season has only just ended but we must press on ahead and start planning for next season as the first regional game is planned for October 11 (and it will be away) so training will begin as soon as possible. The 3 development days will be used for both training and looking for new recruits. There will be a number of vacancies in the U15s as several players will be moving up to U18 rugby in September. The age grading means that any girl who is between the ages of 12 and 15 on 1 September can play U15 rugby and girls between 15 and 18 (on 1 September) can play U18 rugby.

Gogledd Cymru U15 Player of the Year

Eurgain Llwyd

Several players put their hands up this season for player of the year, showing commitment and dedication, however Eurgain Llwyd stood out above the rest. She constantly, whatever the weather, attended all the training session and never gave less than 100% effort. When challenged with a more technical skill Eurgain persisted with a smile on her face even when she found things difficult. The same attitude carried into the games and no matter how hard the opposition were, she got stuck in and played to the best of her ability. She has shown a very mature attitude this season and with continued coaching will develop into a very good player and I wish her well for the future.
Pete McLaughlin
Head Coach 2008 - 2009
Gogledd Cymru U15s

Gogledd Cymru U18 Player of the Year

Ellen Jones


Ellen (known by most of us as Mwsh) is from Corwen and initially travelled to Nant Conwy to play her rugby. She was an outstanding player for Nant girls over the years and was for a few years one of the major thorns in the side of Colwyn Bay. With the demise of the Nant Conwy team last year Mwsh joined Colwyn Bay U18 Mermaids. She added to the strengths of the squad and integrated well and easily with the girls, becoming quite a popular girl in the squad. She has been a regional player for a number of years and has a range of rugby skills that would complement any team. She played in the front row for both clubs and the regional squads but is also agile, fleet of foot and is able to kick the ball effortlessly. She has become the chief place kicker for Gogledd Cymru and the Mermaids.

She is a strong and committed player never shying away from a tackle or a rugby match. Her rugby skills and her ability to be a great team player willing to allow the interest of the team to be her paramount interest has made her the obvious nominee from the North Wales region.

Recently she has been invited to trial for Wales U20s and she will be a valuable player to the squad if she is selected and all of the North Wales rugby community wishes her well.

New beginnings

The development days planned for the summer are starting to take shape. They are being held at different locations in the North Wales area to enable more girls to take part in the training. It is hoped that one or more of the dates/locations will suit all the rugby playing (and new recruits to rugby) girls in the Gogledd Cymru area.

Development Day

A schools development day was held at Colwyn Bay rugby club today. Approximately 100 girls from several North Wales schools turned out for a day of rugby training and skills delivered by WRU coaches. The day started with the girls being given a specially designed Gogledd Cymru t-shirt. Then it was down to business.
There were 6 skill stations to complete before lunch. These consisted of an SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) assault course, a modified game of 2 handed touch, passing the ball, footwork, modified game playing and decision making.
After a short lunch break the girls were divided according to ability, with some receiving coaching in areas such as tackling and introduction to contact and a training game for the more experienced players.
All the girls seemed to enjoy the day and the Gogledd Cymru coaches spotted a few potential new recruits to the regional squad so it was a well spent day for all.
It is hoped to hold several more development days in different clubs over the coming months to continue the renewed interest in girls rugby evident today.

New Season

New regional appointments:

Gogledd Cymru U15 Girls:
Head Coach - Nia Ritchie
Ass Coach - to be appointed
Manager - to be appointed

Gogledd Cymru U18 Girls:
Head Coach - Louis Tilakawardane
Ass Coach - to be appointed
Manager - Ann Tilakawardane

under new management

The WRU have asked all regional coaches and managers to reapply for the posts they currently hold to ensure the best people are in place. Watch this space for further news.

Today

The skills session run by Jason Lewis was fairly well attended today - I hope all who attended feel that they learned something. Hopefully the WRU will hold a few skills sessions during the summer in North Wales.
Well done to those U18s who acted as ball girls for the international - you did a great job (and looked very fetching in the lurid fluorescent vests).

Wales V England

Those of you who have been selected to be ball girls for the international on Tuesday - I will phone you with final details but remember the skills session with Jason Lewis will run from 10 - 12 before the match.

Match

For those Gogledd Cymru players who want to play at Colwyn Bay RFC on Sunday, meet at the club at 12.15. Bring your black polo shirts to wear after the match.

Training today

Good training session today at Bangor RFC - many thanks to Alwyn Bevan for the use of the facilities. Nice to see some new faces there. Colwyn Bay U18 Mermaids have a game next Sunday (5 April) - any Gogledd Cymru U18s are welcome to come along and we will make sure everyone gets some time on the pitch. Details: KO 2pm - meet in changing room at 12.30 at Colwyn Bay RFC.
Email me if you need any more details.

Training

We are holding a training session for the U18 Gogledd Cymru girls at Bangor RFC on Sunday 29 March at 12.

Esher V Colwyn Bay Mermaids/Gogledd Cymru U18s

Match now confirmed for Sunday April 5 at 2pm at Colwyn Bay RFC. We would like to play all the Gogledd Cymru U18s who are available.

Match

I have been asked to arrange a match to play Esher U18s, possibly at CBRFC, on Sunday 5 April. The Esher coach would like us to field the regional team so all regional U18s please let me know asap if you can play.

Girls rugby in North Wales

I have just returned from a meeting of the Development Sub-Committee of the North Wales Rugby Union Council where I represent girls and women's rugby in North Wales and the committee are very enthusiastic about helping us to develop girls rugby. There will be a special meeting on Tuesday 17 February at 7.30pm to discuss girls and women's rugby. Anyone interested in the subject is welcome - if you want to come along or just pass on any ideas, please contact me.

Next match

I urgently need to know who is or isn't available for a possible match on Saturday 7 February. Please let me know asap.

Gogledd Cymru V Blues

Gogledd Cymru U18 at Bangor RFC 30.11.08

Gogledd Cymru V Cardiff Blues U18s

Score: Gogledd 0 Blues 22

Sorry for delay in posting score but I have been dealing with family bereavements. Match report will follow in near future.