Mini & Junior Section

Gala Dinner - Dance

16th February 2007

CARDIFF junior rugby team has been able to raise enough money for over 70 children to go on tour this year after rugby hero and record breaker, Steve Fenwick (CORR), pledged his support for their commitment to youth rugby at their gala ball last weekend (Fri).

The ball, which took place on Friday (Feb 16) at the Sport and Social Club at the University of Wales Hospital, Heath, was held by the Llandaff North (CORR) Junior and Minis teams to raise money for their tour to Glasgow in May. Parents and members of the club were invited, along with guest speaker Steve Fenwick.

The rugby club is a vitally important social and community base for children in Llandaff North, which has a lack of leisure facilities for young people.

Speaking at the event, Fenwick, who is from Bridgend and played for Wales during the 70’s and 80’s, praised parents for encouraging their children to get involved in sport. He said: “It is vitally important to encourage grass-roots rugby, it gives you discipline. And it is excellent when you see so many parents supporting it, this is something we are losing.

“Encouraging sport for young people would solve a lot of problems. I would much rather see them playing sport than hanging around street corners.”

Fenwick, who also played for the Lions against New Zealand in 1977 (CORR), entertained guests with tales of his own experiences about going on tour, playing opposite the “massive” All Blacks and growing up to play for Wales. He added: “It is about sport, it is about winning but it is also about the friends you make along the way.”

The Minis and Juniors, which are made up of children ranging from the ages of eight to 12, will be going on tour to Uddingston (CORR), Glasgow during the first week of May this year. The club tries to take the children away on tour every year according to chairman, Paul Ford, to encourage their interest in sport.

Around 200 people attended the ball on Friday to raise money for the tour. This also included an auction and performance by live band, the Hit Kickers. (CORR)

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