Cardiff Blues RPC_News Oct 2015_v3

NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
The first year of the Cardiff Blues
Welsh School’s Satellite programme is
underway and it has proved to be a hit
with staff and students alike.
Here is a look at the highlights,
the upcoming events and a special
mention to some of our successful
students from the programme this far.
TUTOR TELLS OF PROGRAMME’S SUCCESSFUL START
We spoke to Aberdare Community School’s tutor Mr. Price about how he
thought the first few months of teaching the course had gone and how his
students have embraced the programme so far.
Mr. Price said, “With the way that the
programme is set up the learners know
exactly what they need with their UCAS
points and know exactly what they need to
go to University after they finish.”
The whole school has been affected by the
programme, both in the sporting arena and
around the school itself.
Mr. Price has been impressed by the
attendances of his students since the
start of the programme.
He said, “With the learners being involved
in an enjoyable course like this one we have
noticed that the attainment levels have
been extremely high with every student
hitting Merit and Distinction targets.”
“Not only have they been here their
concentration levels have improved greatly
while undertaking this programme.” He added.
The mix of practical sport and classroom
education has had a positive effect on
the learners with results already apparent.
They’ve even had a little help along the way
from some famous athletes.
The Aberdare tutor explained, “With the
sport side of the course you can see that
the learners are motivated. They now have
an understanding of how their bodies work
after the lessons and they’re motivated to
do the right things, some learners have
mentioned that they are already seeing the
benefits.”
“The fitness testing they have been
taking part in has given them a better
understanding of how the body works and
on top of that they are now training three or
four times a week compared to just once
with their clubs like they were doing before
taking part in the programme. We have had
a partnership with Breeze’s Gym, run by
Commonwealth Gold medallist Michaela
Breeze, so the group have experienced
some proper strength and conditioning,
you just don’t get that with A Levels.”
Many of the learners plan to go to University
after the course and the planning has been
made easier by the programme structure.
“We have seen a vast improvement in the
technical elements in both the football and
rugby teams. The improvement by students
on the course has benefitted the school
as a whole with three people from our
programme scoring for the school’s senior
team in their recent Welsh Cup game
against Barry Boys School.”
“We have noticed that the
younger kids have been
looking up to this group of
learners as role models
and many could follow this
group in undertaking the
programme.”
Mr. Price was full of compliments for the
staff at TVS Education, the company
behind the programme. “The TVS
Education sources have been really helpful
in delivering the teaching and the back
up from the staff has been great, they are
always there to help.”
www.cardiffbluesrepc.com

NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
SCHOOLS ATTEND BLUES OPEN DAY
The three schools on the programme all took part in an open
day at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park this month and it was a
great success. The day went ahead prior to the Cardiff Blues
Pro12 game against the Glasgow Warriors and the learners
had the opportunity to watch World Cup stars such as Sam
Warburton, Alex Cuthbert, Lloyd Williams and Gethin Jenkins
being put through their paces in their team run.
After watching the hour long run through,
Wales’ scrum half Lloyd Williams and
rising star Ellis Jenkins then gave a Q&A
session with the learners about pursuing
a career in sport. The pair talked about
everything from what to eat, how to
train and even the importance of making
friends in the game.
After meeting the Cardiff Blues players
it was time for the learners themselves
to take to the turf. The schools mixed
together for a training session on the BT
Sport Cardiff Arms Park pitch and even
though the weather was not the greatest
the learners had a full session on the
immaculate 3G surface.
STAR SPORTING STUDENTS
The Cardiff Blues Welsh Satellite Scheme is not short of sporting talent, both on the rugby
pitch and in a wide spectrum of other sports. In the first termly newsletter we thought we
would mention two learners in recognition of their sporting success.
CRICKHOWELL SERVING UP SPORTING SUCCESS
Rebekah O’Loughlin
Crickhowell student Rebekah O’Loughlin has proved she is no
slouch with a tennis racquet in hand. She has already gained a
Gold Medal for the Ladies Doubles in the Youth Commonwealth
games as well as winning the Welsh National Doubles title and
Cheltenham Open Singles tournament. All this at the tender
age of 17.
Despite all the success on the court Rebekah is not ready to stop
there. When asked what the future holds the young talent says
she wants to reach a high
ranking in the British Open
Singles with the aim of
becoming a professional
tennis player.
She also added “I believe
that the course is going
well, considering I’m away
quite often due to tennis
tournaments but I am
determined to try and keep
up with all work.”
Dawid Rubasniak
Dawid Rubasniak has been part of a regional set up since the age
of 14 and has seen him progress from the under 16s to his final
season in the under 18s this year. He is also taking part on the
course in Crickhowell while progressing on the field.
As well as being part of a Region’s Tier 1 academy the young
flanker was part of the Wales under 18s squad this year when they
met up back in August.
The regular
season has not
got underway for
Dawid yet but so
far has he has
had a successful
pre-season. He has
been part of wins
against English
outfits Northampton
Saints and also
the London based
Harlequins.
www.cardiffbluesrepc.com

NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
LEARNERS ENJOYING THE COURSE SO FAR
We quickly caught up with two Aberdare Community School’s rugby
learners and St Cyres’ Corey Warry to see how they are finding the first few
months on the new programme. Jay Powles and Kye Lloyd took time for a
few questions in between their busy learning schedule.
How are you finding the course so far?
Jay Powles – “I’m really enjoying the course and it’s been
really helpful.”
Kye Lloyd – “I enjoy the work in the classroom and then
applying what we learn to the practical stuff. I’m now
playing rugby everyday which is great and I enjoy doing
that. Dan (Cardiff Blues Coach) is quite helpful with it all.
He has helped us with all different stretches and then we
go and incorporate that into our work.”
Corey Warry – “The course is great, it’s really helping me
improve my knowledge of sport and skills in rugby. The
coaches are really experienced and make the sessions
enjoyable whilst learning new skills.”
It must be great feeling to wear the Cardiff
Blues badge?
Kye Lloyd – “It’s great to see all the boys in the Cardiff
Blues kit. It looks really good and it really makes us
feel like we are representing something. We’ve still got
some bits of kit to come and I can’t wait to get it now!”
Jay Powles – “Most of us are Blues fans as well so it’s
great to wear their kit!”
Corey Warry – “It’s great wearing the Cardiff Blues
badge and feeling part of the Cardiff Blues community.
When we all wear it we feel a sense of pride and all feel
like we belong to something”
What do you want to do after the course
and is it helping you achieve that?
Jay Powles – “I want to go to University and do
Physiotherapy. The course is definitely helping me
move towards that goal. The course is taught in
a way that helps us understand. Doing both the
classroom work and then applying it in a practical
environment is a great way of learning.”
Kye Lloyd – “I want to be a Physio as well.
The Biology aspects we are learning is
exactly what we need to learn about to do a
course like that. Playing rugby every day has
also made us a lot fitter and I’m feeling the
benefits.”
Corey Warry – “I would love to be a pro player
and gain a contract. If I can’t achieve this I
still want a career in sport and either become
a pro coach or a Development Officer. The
course and different modules help give me a
better understanding of all aspects of sport
and different roles involved in it”
www.cardiffbluesrepc.com
From L to R: jay Powles, Kye Lloyd, Corey Warry

NOVEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
BOLD BLUES MISS OUT IN HOME RETURN
The Rugby World Cup has proved to be a huge success in Cardiff with the
Millennium Stadium at the heart of the action. However, it’s not the only stadium
that has played its part in Cardiff’s success as thousands of fans from all around the
world have packed into the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park fan zone to watch the game
on the big screen.
Now with all the fixtures done and dusted in the
Welsh capital the Cardiff Blues returned to action
on home soil against the Glasgow Warriors on
November 7. A brave performance saw the
home team narrowly miss out on victory.
Rhys Patchell kicked 18 points against the
Scottish outfit but it was not quite enough as a
late Warriors try meant the Blues went down 30-
35 in what was a brave display. Cardiff led at half
time and going into the last 15 minutes thanks
to a first half Gavin Evans try and the boot of
Patchell.
Two tries in quick succession from Warriors
Ryan Grant and Scottish skipper Jonny Gray
gave Glasgow control before a frantic final
few minutes.
The Blues were awarded a penalty try after a
cynical Stuart Hogg knock on denied a certain
score and it meant that the Blues were just five
points behind going into the final stages.
A tense last few minutes saw the home team
throw everything at the Scots but Danny
Wilson’s men had to settle for a much deserved
losing bonus point.
WEBSITE AND TWITTER
With the launch of this new course there is also a
new website to keep up to date. The website is now
live and you can keep track of results, match reports,
news and check out the player profiles. You can see all
this at www.cardiffbluesrepc.com
Our Twitter is also now up and running.
@blues_repc will keep you up to date with website
content, scores and everything to do with the
programme. Get following now!
What’s going on?
If you think you have something that is worthy of
making next terms newsletter send your suggestions
to tom.phillips@tvseducation.com.
Contact the school
Aberdare Community School
E-Mail: school@aberdareschool.co.uk
Tel: 01685 888 500
Twitter: @AberdareSchool
Crickhowell High School
E-Mail: office@crickhowell-hs.powys.sch.uk
Tel: 01873 813 500
Twitter: @crickhowellhs
St Cyres School
E-Mail: contact@stcyres.org
Tel: 029 2070 8708
Twitter: @StCyresSchool