‘IF you want to make it as a professional – you are going to have move up the line.’

A cutting and possibly naive statement, but also one that for far too long, has been preached to talented rugby playing youngsters in Pembrokeshire, writes Fraser Watson.

But it is a notion that hopefully will soon become a thing of the past, thanks to the Pembrokeshire Player Pathway, now in its fourth year of operation.

The scheme aims to provide youngsters with a route to the top level, with the focal point being the Pembrokeshire Schools Academy under 18s side that is currently competing in the National Schools Wednesday League for the second successive season.

Intrigued by the concept, I accepted a recent invitation from Jonny Llewhellin, the WRU Development Rugby Officer for Pembrokeshire and Academy head coach, to attend a training session with the group.

“The Wednesday league is a big step up from local level,” explained Jonny.

“But we want these boys to experience the highest level of under 18s rugby in Wales - while still living and studying in Pembrokeshire.

“The games are televised by S4C which can only help. A player tends to be more determined when he knows he is being watched on TV.”

Results have been hard to come by, but prior to the mid season break last month, the Academy notched their first victory, an impressive 41-27 win over Neath Port Talbot College.

And there have been individual success stories. Academy captain and back row player Josh Macleod missed his chance at Wales under 18 level because of injury, but this season has gone straight into the Wales under 20s training squad. Also, full back Jordan Roberts toured South Africa with Wales 18s during the summer.

“Josh and Jordan are prime examples of what you can achieve when you follow the Pathway – they are part of the Scarlets Academy and not had to leave the county.

"Indeed, Josh splits his training between Llanelli and Haverfordwest so there is less strain on his academic studies."

Sure enough, such commitment can test the time management of a youngster - with the regular training and Wednesday afternoon matches invariably clashing with their education.

On that front, Jonny stressed the schools were the main supporters of the Academy.

“If we find out a youngster has fallen behind in school,  we work with them and give them time out of training to catch up.”

But it’s important to note the Pembrokeshire Player Pathway is about more than the under 18s. The current Dewar Shield under 15s schools squad have won their past three games against Llanelli, Carmarthen, and Mynydd Mawr, while a recent ‘Schools ID Talent Festival’ at under 14 level saw more than 180 boys participating.

Furthermore, in the current Scarlets West under 16s squad - 24 of the 28 players hail from Pembrokeshire.

“Ideally, a player in the Dewar Shield under 15s squad will develop into a Scarlets West under 16s player – and then move onto the Academy,” explained Jonny.

“But that doesn’t mean the door is closed on late developers - 10 to15% of our players are picked up during the season as boys and girls will always develop at different rates.”

With regards to the clubs, Jonny accepted that there could sometimes be disagreements between them and the Academy regarding a player’s workload or availability – but said it was important youngsters were encouraged to play at a higher level.

“There are periods in the season that a player may not play every club game - but over the ninth months they will play more for their clubs than school or academy.”

But what of the player who doesn’t make it? The youngster who sets his sights for the stars, gives everything, and is invariably left disappointed when things don’t work out.

“We have to support and develop the boys as people, not just as players,” said Jonny.

"It’s important to keep their feet on the ground. The main thing is they develop to the best of their ability - this may be at local senior level for the majority, or the Championship and higher for others.”

When the time came for me to watch the session - the ‘warm up’ was not quite what I had envisaged, as the squad trained in the Strength Academy Wales (SAW) centre in Sir Thomas Picton School.

It’s fair to say, long gone are the times when a youngster is left to their own devices in the gym, pushing on the odd machine.

The players, under the guidance of SAW coaches Simon Roach and Owain Wyn Rowlands, were put through a series of pull ups and both overhead and front squats – with real focus on their technique.

“SAW is the best centre of its kind in Wales and the boys really reap the benefits,” said Jonny.

“They are tested on their strength and conditioning – and results are sent to the WRU to be compared with other schools in the Wednesday league.

“Having previously been in the bottom three of that table, we are now in the top three.”
On the field itself, Jonny was assisted by coaches Dan Field and Barry John, while physio Katy Griffiths, of West Wales Sports Injuries, was on hand to deal with player injuries.

The session consisted of tackling, skills, neck and core strength exercises, and handling – with emphasis on technique in the contact based drills.

“With the physicality and intensity in the modern game – correct technique is essential,” explained Jonny.

“Games are filmed by the WRU analysis department - the same system the professionals get.

"So if a player is putting themselves at risk because of poor technique, we can look at it and iron it out.”

Furthermore, the Pathway is currently implementing a new coaching strategy - which involves bringing in top development coaches to work with youngsters on specific areas of the game.

Indeed, a recent scrum workshop was attended by more than 30 coaches from local clubs and schools.

"We also plan to have current professionals from Pembrokeshire down for some sessions - to coach the boys in certain positions.

"The focus going forward is to involve more people from the community -  and any local coaches are free to contact me and come and see how we work."

I’ll admit that such attention to detail left me taken aback at how far the game has moved on in Pembrokeshire since I was a youngster – when quite simply, the ‘large’ boys played in the forwards, the quick kids played in the backs, and your best chance of making the county squad was if your dad coached it.

But of course, for those looking to progress, one thing will never change.

“The structure is designed to help players at all levels progress - but the players themselves have to show ambition, dedication and be prepared to make sacrifices.

“But if they do that, there is no reason why they can’t get on the train in Pembrokeshire, so to speak, and get off it at Championship, Premiership, Regional or even International level.”

To learn more about the Academy, visit www.wrupembsrugby.co.uk.