Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's WRU Rugby Hub Programme is celebrating a successful second year.

The programme saw students Leah Stewart, Begw Ffrancis-Roberts, Saran Griffiths, and Dylan Alford represent Wales in the Under-18 Six Nations Festivals.

Ms Stewart, Ms Ffrancis-Robers, and Ms Griffiths were also part of the eight learners who played for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru's victorious U18 girls' side during the 2023/24 season.

They helped RGC Piws go undefeated, becoming the first team from North Wales to win a WRU Regional Age Grade competition.

(Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)

Achievements extended beyond rugby.

In collaboration with Colegau Cymru, the Grŵp's WRU rugby engagement officer, Ollie Coles, organised the inaugural North Wales 'Ability Counts' football tournament.

A team of Independent Living Skills learners from Coleg Glynllifon emerged as champions, defeating Coleg Menai's ILS team in the final.

Both teams qualified for the first Pan-Wales Colegau Cymru Ability Counts football competition in Cardiff, with Coleg Glynllifon reaching the final.

(Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)

Other highlights of 2023/24 include:

  • 178 sessions delivered to 2,032 Grŵp Llandrillo Menai learners.
  • 90 community club and school engagements.
  • 19 events/games for 100 boys representing Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Glynllifon.
  • 31 coaching sessions with eight Grŵp Llandrillo Menai learners in RGC U18s, who won the Girls U18 Regional Age Grade Competition.
  • CPR training for 160 learners.
  • 20 trained Rugby Leaders, deployed 35 times.
  • 20 trained referees, deployed 47 times.
  • 78 inclusive rugby sessions for more than 200 learners.

(Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)

The WRU Rugby Programme operates across four main areas: Pathway Boys, Pathway Girls, Pathway Workforce, and Pathway Inclusion.

In 2023/24, the Pathway Boys saw 100 learners participating in 10 fixtures for Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Glynllifon.

The plan for 2024/25 is to establish Rygbi Coleg Menai.

Mr Coles said: "I greatly look forward to watching the boys from Ynys Môn demonstrate their ability."

Open training sessions were held for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai girls team, who will compete in the Welsh Schools and Colleges National Conference.

Mr Coles continued: "Our goal for 24/25 is to see the girls playing regular 15s and 7s fixtures as we continue to grow our girls’ playing offer."

Pathway Inclusion, which aims to engage players regardless of ability, saw six learners from Coleg Glynllifon attend the Disability Six Nations event at Bangor University.

Mr Coles added: "Looking forward to 24/25, we are hoping to expand both the number and quality of opportunities for learners within our inclusion pathway".