Welsh Junior Origin

[welshmagpie]

The pathway continues to work in a very frosty south Wales.

Today, East Wales and West Wales had their annual clash at U14 and U16 level.

Though this fixture has been in place for a long time, the switch to winter a few years back has worked wonders. It has meant players have had additional RL sessions in east and west Wales after their RL season has finished. The motive here was to get young men playing and learning more rugby league than ever, all the while doing so in WRL’s own system. The Welsh U16s coach Paul Berry oversees a lot of this work alongside Salford Red Devils.

[welshmagpie]

 

[Dunbar]

I like the idea of some of these Welsh games being played in winter.

While having summer Rugby League may mean more players due to some Union kids playing League in their off season, anyone looking to play representative Rugby League on a Saturday in December is serious about the sport.  We have to balance potential numbers with developing genuine League talent who have been coached in League throughout their junior years.

[welshmagpie]

https://twitter.com/walesrugbyl/status/1601648731547656192?s=46&t=1i_odrwCkf5ZycAam0zP8w

[welshmagpie]

 

[Damien]

What is considered the dividing line between East and West Wales? I presume Cardiff and Newport are East and Swansea and Llanelli West? Where does Bridgend fall?

[Midlands hobo]

2 hours ago, Damien said:

Where does Bridgend fall?

I'd say it's the boundary but on the east.

 

 Port toilet is a harder one to define.

 

[welshmagpie]

3 hours ago, Damien said:

What is considered the dividing line between East and West Wales? I presume Cardiff and Newport are East and Swansea and Llanelli West? Where does Bridgend fall?

In everyday life or in the case of junior RL in Wales?

If it’s the latter then…

East = Cardiff Blue Dragons, Aber Valley Wolves, Torfaen Tigers, Rhondda Outlaws, Pontyclun Kings

West = Aberavon Fighting Irish, Banwen Black Dragons, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cynon Valley Cavaliers, Swansea Rams, 

[welshmagpie]

 

3 hours ago, Damien said:

What is considered the dividing line between East and West Wales? I presume Cardiff and Newport are East and Swansea and Llanelli West? Where does Bridgend fall?

Growing up in Cardiff, anything west of Cowbridge was west Wales, anything past Swansea was considered far-west Wales. 

[Damien]

4 hours ago, welshmagpie said:

In everyday life or in the case of junior RL in Wales?

If it’s the latter then…

East = Cardiff Blue Dragons, Aber Valley Wolves, Torfaen Tigers, Rhondda Outlaws, Pontyclun Kings

West = Aberavon Fighting Irish, Banwen Black Dragons, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cynon Valley Cavaliers, Swansea Rams, 

In the case of Welsh RL and this type of representative match and you've answered this perfectly. Thanks. 

[welshmagpie]

 

[JM2010]

Wales seem to be getting a lot right. 2025 might be too early but could be quite strong for 2029 WC.

Do the Crusaders and Raiders pick up many of the juniors who don't go to SL?

Is their a pathway back to Crusaders and Raiders from SL clubs for the lads that don't quite make it through?

Could be beneficial for the 2 Welsh clubs also

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by JM2010

[welshmagpie]

7 hours ago, JM2010 said:

Wales seem to be getting a lot right. 2025 might be too early but could be quite strong for 2029 WC.

Do the Crusaders and Raiders pick up many of the juniors who don't go to SL?

Is their a pathway back to Crusaders and Raiders from SL clubs for the lads that don't quite make it through?

Could be beneficial for the 2 Welsh clubs also

 

It tends to be go north, stay north in terms of Welsh RL products. Cobi Green stayed north, as did the Davies twins. Charley Bodman went to Hunslet alongside Rowland Kaye. Kyle Huish is now at Rochdale since leaving Wigan. 
 

The location of WWR inhibits many players from going there if they move home. Getting to Llanelli is a long trip from south east Wales and isn’t financially attractive when compared to semi-pro RU deals. 
 

Crusaders don’t train in Wales so that argument may as well sit alongside Widnes, Rochdale and Oldham. The only Welsh link there is where they play home games.  

[JM2010]

1 hour ago, welshmagpie said:

It tends to be go north, stay north in terms of Welsh RL products. Cobi Green stayed north, as did the Davies twins. Charley Bodman went to Hunslet alongside Rowland Kaye. Kyle Huish is now at Rochdale since leaving Wigan. 
 

The location of WWR inhibits many players from going there if they move home. Getting to Llanelli is a long trip from south east Wales and isn’t financially attractive when compared to semi-pro RU deals. 
 

Crusaders don’t train in Wales so that argument may as well sit alongside Widnes, Rochdale and Oldham. The only Welsh link there is where they play home games.  

Are there any plans for a team in Cardiff to enter the pro ranks?

Think they would be in a much better position to develop and retain promising Welsh youngsters who don't make it into SL

[welshmagpie]

1 hour ago, JM2010 said:

Are there any plans for a team in Cardiff to enter the pro ranks?

Think they would be in a much better position to develop and retain promising Welsh youngsters who don't make it into SL

None that I’m aware of. However hopes May hinge on the further success of Cardiff Demons ladies, it would make sense to add a men’s team to the name when the chance arises.