Four Carmarthenshire students will be substituting the playing fields of Llanelli for the sun-drenched fields of Australia at the Touch World Cup
From left: Rachel Wasserman, Mollie North, Dan Rees and Matt Adams
When Rachel Wasserman, Mollie North, Sophie Rainton and Daniel Rees played in a series of county Touch tournaments organised by sport and leisure officers in 2013, little did they know that they would go onto represent Wales in the sport’s premier tournament in Coff’s Harbour, New South Wales in April.
All four youngsters attend school or college in Llanelli and were introduced to the game as part of the council’s Active Young People programme. They represented their schools prior to being selected to play for West Wales U16s and went on to become part of the Wales Touch Association Elite Academy for developing under 18 players.
Llanelli sport and leisure officer, Matt Adams said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled for all four of them to go and represent Wales in the biggest Touch tournament to date. They’ll be playing the very best players in the world and it’s particularly pleasing to note that all four pupils started playing Touch in AYP festivals and tournaments that we organised right here in Carmarthenshire.”
"Part of the reason that the All Schools Touch Championships has been established is to locate and develop the next generation of talented Touch players. We know that in Carmarthenshire we have some fantastically talented boys and girls, already proven by these four young athletes. Who knows, perhaps this years tournament will unearth more hidden talent who will go on to receive international recognition on the Touch fields in the future."
Touch has been used by the sports and leisure team in Carmarthenshire due to its simple rules and focus on skills, as well as its appeal to both boys and girls – particularly those who may not be attracted to contact rugby. Tournaments held in locations such as Pembrey Country Park and Parc y Scarlets were extremely popular and well attended and a number of pupils identified by these events have become involved in club and regional Touch teams as a result.
Wales are sending four teams out to Coffs Harbour; Men's Open, Women's Open, Mixed Open and Men's 40s and will be buoyed by a large contingent of young players at the tournament with no less than 11 teenage players representing in the open grades.
Touch among young people is becoming increasingly popular and Wales are the current U18s Mixed European Champions. Dan, Sophie and Mollie were all members of the squad that beat England in the final of the inaugural Junior Euros at Swansea University in August 2014. Rachel represented the Women's Open team who narrowly missed out on a gold medal, losing to England WO in the grand final.
One of the victorious U18 team, Sophie Rainton, is now a member of the All Schools Touch Championships organising committee and is keen to put something back into the sport;
"I wanted to be part of the All Schools organising team as I think that there are loads of young people that would really enjoy playing Touch who don't normally get the chance. The All Schools tournament will hopefully increase awareness and popularity of the game in schools."
Tournament registration is now open for #ASTC2015. The tournament takes place at Ysgol Y Strade, Llanelli on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July 2015. Further details and registration are available here
All four youngsters attend school or college in Llanelli and were introduced to the game as part of the council’s Active Young People programme. They represented their schools prior to being selected to play for West Wales U16s and went on to become part of the Wales Touch Association Elite Academy for developing under 18 players.
Llanelli sport and leisure officer, Matt Adams said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled for all four of them to go and represent Wales in the biggest Touch tournament to date. They’ll be playing the very best players in the world and it’s particularly pleasing to note that all four pupils started playing Touch in AYP festivals and tournaments that we organised right here in Carmarthenshire.”
"Part of the reason that the All Schools Touch Championships has been established is to locate and develop the next generation of talented Touch players. We know that in Carmarthenshire we have some fantastically talented boys and girls, already proven by these four young athletes. Who knows, perhaps this years tournament will unearth more hidden talent who will go on to receive international recognition on the Touch fields in the future."
Touch has been used by the sports and leisure team in Carmarthenshire due to its simple rules and focus on skills, as well as its appeal to both boys and girls – particularly those who may not be attracted to contact rugby. Tournaments held in locations such as Pembrey Country Park and Parc y Scarlets were extremely popular and well attended and a number of pupils identified by these events have become involved in club and regional Touch teams as a result.
Wales are sending four teams out to Coffs Harbour; Men's Open, Women's Open, Mixed Open and Men's 40s and will be buoyed by a large contingent of young players at the tournament with no less than 11 teenage players representing in the open grades.
Touch among young people is becoming increasingly popular and Wales are the current U18s Mixed European Champions. Dan, Sophie and Mollie were all members of the squad that beat England in the final of the inaugural Junior Euros at Swansea University in August 2014. Rachel represented the Women's Open team who narrowly missed out on a gold medal, losing to England WO in the grand final.
One of the victorious U18 team, Sophie Rainton, is now a member of the All Schools Touch Championships organising committee and is keen to put something back into the sport;
"I wanted to be part of the All Schools organising team as I think that there are loads of young people that would really enjoy playing Touch who don't normally get the chance. The All Schools tournament will hopefully increase awareness and popularity of the game in schools."
Tournament registration is now open for #ASTC2015. The tournament takes place at Ysgol Y Strade, Llanelli on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July 2015. Further details and registration are available here
Sophie Rainton leads the Wales team parade at the European Touch Championships in Swansea 2014
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