Primestart
Primestart sponsors
It is a fantastic opportunity for Neath Port Talbot College and its students to be involved in and help with one of the most exciting rugby initiatives in the local and surrounding communities.
The work done last year in the local primary schools is now being expanded to the Swansea valley and the sports students within the colleges school of sport are looking forward to working with the Rugby club in developing not only rugby skills but lifestyle skills to the next generation of young rugby players.
Neath Port Talbot College and Neath RFC have a long association and the latest sponsorship deal reflects that long and fruitful relationship. The college has helped develop and nurture many of the players that have gone on to represent the Welsh All Blacks and many of today's squad not only excelled in their rugby but also in their Academic study whilst at the College. Examples from the current squad include Tom Smith, Craig Mitchell, Steve Martin, Andy Llewellyn, Aled Bevan, Martin Roberts, Arwel Thomas and Jonathan Spratt.
The Primestart initiative will alow our Sports students to develop their coaching and organisational skills and help towards their NVQ 2 coaching qualification. It can also be used to gain their Dragon Sports Leaders awards as well as Community Sports Leader Award. It will also highlight the tremendous work that both the college and the rugby club are aspiring to acheive in getting young people engaged in an active and healthy lifestyle in line with recent WAG initiatives. We look forward to the year ahead and a successful partnership and wish Neath RFC every success for the coming seson.
Geraint Jones HOS Sport NPTC
Neath Port Talbot College scrums down with Primestart initiative
Neath Port Talbot College (NPTC) is supporting Primestart, by coaching children in rugby skills and teaching them about healthy living.
Fourteen coaching students from the college's Sports Academy will visit primary and special-needs schools to give pupils expert rugby coaching. Lead by the coaches, players and Community Development Team from Neath Rugby, the students will mentor the children and encourage them to get fit and lead a healthy lifestyle over the course of the next year.
Neath Port Talbot College has come on board as a sponsor of Primestart this year and Head of NPTC Sports Academy Geraint Jones has said: "As a leading sports education provider, NPTC understands the importance of encouraging children to live healthily, and our involvement in Primestart is a great way of doing this. The scheme also allows us to forge Links with local schools pass on our expertise."
Deenna Barton Business Development Manager at Neath Rugby and a Director of Primestart said: "We are delighted that NPTC have seen both the short and long term benefits of sponsoring our initiative, which has already made a positive impact on the lives of a number of children in the Neath Port Talbot County Borough.
Many schools aren't large enough to offer specialised training in particular sports, so by offering our expertise we can help develop talent from a young age. You never know, some of the children we're helping now might be the rugby stars of tomorrow!"
All the NPTC students taking part are following professional coaching studies at the sports academy. The Academy offers courses in the UK Coaching Certificate, as well as the NVQ in Coaching, Teaching and Instruction.
Geraint Jones continues: "Primestart will give students the opportunity to link closely with a Premiership Rugby Club and gain valuable experience of coaching young sports fans. Students hoping to become sports coaches can use this excellent experience to gain additional governing body coaching qualifications, a big help when looking at University places or employment."
Corus
Corus helps Primestart make our children healthier
One of Neath Port Talbot's biggest employers is investing in the future health of local children by throwing its support behind the Primestart initiative.
Corus, which employs more than 3,500 staff at its Port Talbot plant, has agreed to join the Primestart programme aimed at encouraging a healthier lifestyle among nine to 11year-olds in all junior schools in the surrounding areas of Neath and Port Talbot.
Primestart is an independent initiative developed by Neath Rugby Club that has set itself the twin goals of introducing an active lifestyle to young children, while at the same time teaching them about good nutrition, hydration and hygiene.
"We willingly support any initiative which encourages children to have greater involvement and participation in physical activity, rather than sitting in front of computer screens," said Keith Farron, Corus spokesperson for the company's ‘Community Assist' programmes in South Wales
"This is an exciting departure from normal community activities and Corus is extremely pleased to work with and support Primestart. Persuading children in their formative years to be as healthy and active as possible must be encouraged every step of the way."
Corus has always been committed to supporting the communities in which it operates and last year, the amount Corus Strip Products UK donated to charities and good causes increased from £40,000 in 2004 to £100,000, including £40,000 contributed through Community Assist programmes involving voluntary assistance, materials or engineering expertise, together with specific environmental projects, and educational and safety projects to schools.
"The Primestart Cookbook is a brilliant idea and gives youngsters a real opportunity to participate in healthy eating and an active lifestyle - and Corus is delighted to be involved with this challenging but exciting initiative," said Keith Farron, Corus spokesperson for Community Assist programmes in South Wales.
"If Primestart's activities can influence lifestyle changes in the home through healthier diets and exercise, then it really is worthwhile pursuing.
"The company is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates and in 2006, Corus Strip Products UK invested more than £100,000 in locally sponsored initiatives, charities and good causes.
"We're particularly in favour of any project that encourages children to have greater involvement in physical activity in their formative years, rather than sitting in front of computer screens
"Wales and Ospreys star James Hook began his rugby as an amateur with Corus,then moving onto three successful seasons with Neath Rugby and we have watched his career develop with tremendous pride. James is a prime example of someone who has been active from a very young age.
"Let's hope this initiative results in the production of many more James Hooks, along with those who simply aspire to his high personal health and fitness standards."
