Dragons U16s Squads announced

After an extensive talent identification process that started back in February, the Dragons U16s wider training squads have been announced for this summer.

Players were initially nominated by the WRU Regional Rugby Coordinators and lead District Coaches through their District U15s teams on the back of performances in the Dewar Shield competition. All teams were then invited to a Dragons talent ID festival at the Dragons training base in Ystrad Mynach.

 

From here, players were watched in the their remaining Dewar Shield performances, whilst, at the same time, Dragons and WRU staff were watching school and club games across the region. 

Over 100 players were then invited into a 3 week camp, delivered by this years regional age grade coaches and put through an intensive rugby programme to understand which players can cope with the demands of regional rugby. At the end of this process, two squads were selected for summer programme. 

 

 

The U16s Coaches are also in place for the coming season:

 

Team Manager - Nigel Way

Head Coach - Gareth Richards

Forwards Coach - Hywel Davies
Contact Coach - Jake Thomas
Scrum Coach - Craig Gould
Attack Coach - Gerry Roberts

Defence Coach - Dan Clements
Assistant Manager - Martyn Cooke

 

Team Manager - Matthew John
Head Coach - Jeremy Rogers
Backs Coach - John Hughes
Contact Coach - Huw Evans
Scrum Coach - Anthony Lott
Attack Coach - James Rowles
Defence Coach - Craig Everett
Assistant Manager - Anthony Palmer

 

Kate Moores
James Ridgewell
Martin Burrows

 

Dragons Academy Manager, James Chapron, commented; 'the Distrct teams performed well in last years competition but the challenge now for both players and coaches is to adapt to the challenges of playing a regional competition against some of the best players in Wales. I am excited by some of the talent in the squad and I am looking forward to see how they perform as the season progresses. It is great for us to have stability in our management teams with 10 members returning from last year, but at the same time, injecting new energy into the group by bringing some experienced age group members.'

 

Both squads are off to Pendine Outdoor Activity centre this weekend for a team building camp before playing against each other on Wednesday 29th August at the CCBC Centre for Sporting Excellence.