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.