Rugby in Education
Rugby in Education is a range of bespoke programs supported by the WRU that delivers rugby in support of an active lifestyle to students across the length and breadth of Wales.
These programs run across all stages of education in Wales starting in primary school, through to secondary school, further education (Colleges) and higher education (Universities).
These programs are supported by the commitment from the WRU to run and organise a competitive opportunities via educational cups and tournament competitions both nationally and regionally.
All of the above is underpinned by the national WRU Hub program, which sees educational establishments, charities or other organisations employ a dedicated rugby hub officer. This person is employed in partnership with the WRU to support the delivery of rugby across their establishments or area of work and support the above programs and more. If you would like to know more about their role go to National Hub Program and Education
The Welsh Rugby Union deliver a number of National Competitions each year to support player participation to both grow and retain the game in Wales. From Year 9 and 10 through to the show piece under 18 schools and colleges competitions.
Rugby Programmes in Education (RPE) framework which includes a revamped WRU Welsh Schools and Colleges (WSC) competition structure and the introduction of an aspirational WRU WSRU U18 East & West Premier Schools Competition.
The WRU WSC Competition structure has been expanded to be made of up of 16 educational establishments pan Wales.
The 16 institutions have been split into 2 conferences (A and B) Taking into consideration their 2024 finishing positions, historic league finishing positions and historic points gained in the competition.
East Wales Schools & West Wales Schools Premier Leagues
Separate to the 16-establishment competition as stated above, the WRU alongside the Welsh Senior Schools Affiliate Group have also established a revamped and underpinning School Premier Competition format.
There are National premier leagues consisting of 2 East Wales leagues and 2 West Wales leagues
The WRU Urdd 7s is the flagship national schools 7s competition held annually around Easter at Pontcanna fields, Cardiff.
The competition is run in partnership between the WRU and Urdd, ensuring that all schools and their pupils across Wales have the opportunity for a fun participation competition of rugby 7s.
The competition provides opportunities for Primary, Secondary, Colleges, Univeritises as well as ALN establishments the opportunity to enter and attend throughout the week of the WRU Urdd 7s.
If you would like to see more of last years competition please click here to go through to the Urdd 7s website.
https://www.urdd.cymru/en/sports/competitions/upcoming-national-competitions/urdd-wru-7/
Primary school rugby
In the regions it is in the main delivered by WRU Hub Officers who coordinate and deliver various local festivals. This provision is to raise the profile of rugby within local primary schools to help aid transition of pupils both into local rugby clubs and their secondary hub school they will be attending.
Secondary school rugby
There are various Rugby opportunities in secondary schools within the regions, below is a brief description on what’s on offer for each year.
Year 7 & 8 have festivals and playing opportunities organised locally through Hub Officers/PE staff and local school districts. These will be in a variety of playing formats from 7s, 10s, 12s and 15 a side.
Year 9 & 10 has a National Schools cup competition. The National schools cup competition will run from September and will be split up in local authorities before 8 representatives of the schools will go through to the last 32 of the national competition.
Year 11 have festivals and playing opportunities organised locally through Hub Officers and PE Staff. These will be in a variety of playing formats from 7s, 10s, 12s and 15 a side. Year 11 students will also have the opportunity to attend U16s Dewar Shield Programme within their respective Districts.
College and 6th Form
Each region offers students an opportunity to study while training and playing in the highest level of competitions in Wales. That being the WRU Welsh Schools and Colleges (WSC) competition.
Universities
Rugby in universities is serviced by British University College Sport (BUCS) which runs all competitive National competitions. Inter murial rugby is also popular for a competitive option for those not involved in the national competitions.