Usually it is the club local to the schools that plays host to the festival, but this is the first time one has been held at the secondary school within that cluster area.

Blues Development Officer Gary Knowles said,
"Three weeks ago Chris Ower and I went to Willows High School to put 12 BTEC pupils through their paces on the Tag Leaders coaching award. This award allows them to coach and referee the Tag game at junior level."

As part of the overall community coaching scheme in the region, Gary Knowles and Chris Ower work with Nadine Griffiths and the team of Future Blues Community officers to coach the game in schools and clubs.

Gary continues, "The coaching primary school pupils receive is delivered over a four week period with all the primary schools in a local geographic cluster coming together for a tag festival at the end of the coaching cycle.

"The intention of the scheme is to host these festivals at the club local to the schools thereby fostering a partnership between the players and the club. If players want to carry on playing they therefore know where the club for them is, its facilities, the people who run it and so on."

Unfortunately no club in the Adamdown and Splott area has their own ground, so it was decided to hold it at Willows High School as they have excellent indoor and outdoor facilities whilst still maintaining the community aspect of what Future Blues aims to achieve.

"By hosting the event at Willows this allowed the twelve BTEC students to referee and coach the games of TAG. Everyone there worked really hard and the whole afternoon had a real community flavour.

"The majority of the primary school children will eventually move on and attend Willows for their secondary education. The afternoon was a tremendous success with some outstanding rugby being played special thanks must go to Willows High School for buying into this and to Mr Andy Roberts the Head of rugby at the school."

Willows High School is also playing host to the Future Blues Holiday Coaching Camps in the south of the region. This week 40 children per day have been taking part in the four day Easter camp.

Future Blues South Development Officer Nadine Griffiths said,
"The outstanding facilities at Willows High School allows Future Blues the luxury of a pitch, Astroturf and sports hall meaning the camps are able to proceed regardless of the weather. The camps cater for 8-16 year olds and they are grouped according to their age.

"You can see the kids have been really enjoying themselves this week learning new skills from fully qualified Community Coaches, meeting Blues players to ask questions and collect autographs as well as their free T-Shirt and goodie bag!"

There are still places available for the Whitsun and Summer camps. For further information, please go to to register your interest. You are able to bring the application form and pay on the day, but we do need to know that you will be coming!

The Willows Tag Festival follows recent other festivals in Barry and a school visit by the Cardiff Blues returning three quarter Rhys Williams to Llanfair Primary.

Pic: Rhys Williams visits Llanfair Primary School