College grooms future players (From Free Press Series)

College grooms future players

Coleg Gwent is to play a leading role in the development of Wales' future rugby stars as part of £3.66m Welsh Rugby Union project to form an elite academy aimed at grooming future professionalplayers.

The Collage was the lead applicant in a successful bid for £1.62m of Objective one funds through the Welsh European Funding Office, part of the Welsh Assembly government. Under the banner "The Welsh Rugby Industry," the project will mean the WRU and its four regions working in partnership with Coleg Gwent and three other colleges, Coleg Glan Hafren, Coleg Sir Gar and Neath Port Talbot College.

It will deliver an academy programme for elite rugby players who have been identified as potential future professionals.

WRU General Manager, Steve Lewis said: "This project will establish a structure within Wales which will support the development of our rugby industry as a sustainable, professional industry capable of contributing significantly to the Welsh economy."