On Saturday, 6 August 2022, the Urdd and Crawshay’s – supported by the Welsh Rugby Union – will offer activities and sport sessions to encourage and nurture the stars of the future, before the Urdd and Crawshay’s Under 18 girls' and boys' rugby teams go head-to-head on the CSM Stadium field. The event is a tribute to a historic game held in 1972 to mark the Urdd's 50th anniversary. To close the event, a special match will be held between the RGC Rebels and RGC Barbarians at 5:30pm.
Before the afternoon games, the Urdd Sports Team will host a Rugby Camp at the Stadium between 9:30am – 12pm. The Rugby Camp is an opportunity for children aged 7 to 11 years old to learn and practice new skills with the Urdd Sports Team. The Urdd’s Rugby Camp can only accommodate 30 children and all participants should register in advance on: bit.ly/CofrestruUrdd
Fifty years ago, on 26 April 1972, the brightest stars of the Welsh, British and Irish Rugby teams came together at the Arms Park stadium, Cardiff to play in a game to celebrate the Urdd's fiftieth anniversary. Carwyn James and Barry John were asked to raise a team of giants to face each other. Barry John would select his team mainly from the Welsh national team who had won both the Triple Crown and the Rugby Championship in 1971, and many of these were also among the British Lions that beat the All Blacks in New Zealand. Carwyn James’ team would be drawn mainly from the English, Scottish and Irish ‘Lions’. They had no difficulty in enlisting the necessary players – most of the Welsh players still considered themselves members of the Urdd, and everyone was more than happy to play for the benefit of Wales’ main youth movement.
Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of the Urdd, said, “Not only is this occasion a unique way of celebrating both the Urdd’s and Crawshays’ centenary, but it is also a way of paying tribute to a special rugby match held half a century ago, to celebrate 50 years of the Urdd.
“It was a historic occasion for more than one reason. With three minutes to go, Barry John scored a classic try to win the game. Only a few people knew that Barry was to retire from rugby, and that this famous try at the Urdd game was to be his last ever.
“The Urdd now celebrates its 100th anniversary, and these celebration matches present a completely unique opportunity for our members once again. The rugby games will nurture talent for the future and offer a special platform for our young players.
"I would like to thank the WRU for their ongoing partnership and for making this event possible, as well as Stadiwm CSM. It is a great way to thank all the staff and volunteers – organisers, coaches, and referees – who work tirelessly throughout the year to give our young people amazing experiences and opportunities to enjoy playing rugby and opportunities to socialise with their friends.”
WRU Community Director Geraint John said, “We are thrilled to be able to facilitate this double centenary celebration. Both the Urdd and Crawshay’s are fantastic partners in helping to grow the community game and in terms of providing opportunities for young people to develop and showcase their talents as players, coaches and administrators. Both organisations are rightly proud of the role they play in developing Welsh rugby talent and I’m sure the two Under 18 matches will unearth talented players for the future of the game in Wales.”