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11 June 2018 / Team News

Under 16's head to Sweden for historic tour!

After three seasons of hard work fundraising the players and support staff will leave Llantwit Major Rugby club on Friday afternoon heading off on a momentous rugby tour of Sweden. 24 players and 8 parents from Llantwit Major RFC under 16’s will make history when they become the first Welsh junior side to go off to Gothenburg to play in the Viking Cup. The cup now in its 20th season is held in Gothenburg and forms the first stage of a week-long tour that encompasses both the host city and 4 days in Enköping.

Two days of competition at the Viking Cup will see Llantwit squaring off against teams from Sweden and Denmark in the Under 18’s competition. This will be the first time that any of these clubs have played against Welsh opposition and despite playing up a few age groups the boys hope to do both their home town and country proud.

Once the formalities of the Viking Cup are out of the way some much deserved downtime will see them head in Gothenburg to enjoy Liseberg amusement park. On Monday the squad will be heading off to Enköping where along with meeting local dignitaries they will be helping Enköpings Rugbyklubb celebrate 50 years with a match against their Under 18’s. In between the rugby the players will enjoy some sightseeing in the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Tour organiser and coach Mark Rees believes that the tour will provide the boys with an invaluable life experience. “Touring is incredibly important and this trip should help to create lifelong memories and friendships. The host clubs have been incredible in the assistance they have provided towards the organisation of the tour and it’s great to see how excited they are about hosting a Welsh team. The boys have responded to this and we are confident that they will represent the club positively”.  Whilst unusual as a rugby tour destination, Sweden is striving to improve their standards and this visit will help to promote a developing sport in Sweden.

Llantwit Major’s Scandinavian excursions is generating interest amongst the teams from Sweden, Denmark and Norway who have already started looking at a return visit to the Welsh town for their own rugby tours. “It would be great to see Bergen, Spartacus, Enköping or RAW head over to Llantwit Major on rugby tour and for future Llantwit sides to head back to the Viking Cup. We hope that this trip will develop long lasting partnerships between clubs and that as a club we can play an integral part in the development of rugby in Sweden”.

The tour has been made possible through a series of fundraising events along with some generous contributions from sponsors. Benefactors such as the Llantwit and Cowbridge Lions have also helped with an incredibly generous donation which has allowed the boys to purchase additional touring kit. Without these organisations and businesses helping this tour would not have been possible. All Swim Ltd of Penarth Road, Cardiff have been instrumental in helping the boys raise the funds for tour and they are very proud to be adorned across the tour strip.

Llantwit Major RFC U16’s would like to thank All Swim Ltd, Fairwater garages, Town and Country, Think Vans, LDS Motor Factors, Vale Garage Services, Force Strength & Conditioning, Gareth John Consulting, Runtech, The Highwayman and Reboot.

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