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Ospreys

Press releases

Ospreys head coach reflects on summer training camp

Posted By Robert Lloyd

A party of 56 from the Ospreys travelled to Browns Sports and Leisure Club, Vilamoura on the Portugese Algarve coast, for an intense period of activity in preparation for the new season.

Speaking about the focus of the camp, head coach Allen Clarke said: We came here to bond as a group and it’s been great for both staff and players to mix, get to know each other, and to spend time together. Obviously, the main focus being our rugby, but more so than that, to enjoy each other’s company in a very high-pressure environment.”  

As the temperature reached more than 32 degrees in the Algarve, the squad were put through their paces in vigorous training sessions as well as putting in the hard graft at the gym.

Clarke added: “The boys have been excellent, we’re really pleased with the quality of the work and the attitude of the players. Its been full on, from early mornings to late evening but its been a fantastic environment and the facilities to train in are second to none.”

Established in 2000, Browns Sports and Leisure Club was designed and constructed to provide excellent training, accommodation and support conditions to all athletes from grass root teams to national professional teams in a safe and secure yet relaxed environment.

The Ospreys follow in the footsteps of clubs like Saracens, Gloucester, Bath, Ulster and Clermont Auvergne, as well as the English and Irish national squads, in spending time at Browns.

“Everything is on site meaning you can get good quality work done followed by good quality recovery”added Clarke: “All in all, its been absolutely fantastic.”

Joining the squad out in Portugal, was newly appointed Shaun Edwards who linked up with the squad and coaching team after being confirmed in a consultancy role with the region just last week.

Speaking of Edwards addition, Clarke praised the new coaching set-up: “I think the boys themselves will tell you what he’s already brought to the team this week. His level of experience and his CV speak for itself, but you can see that he’s driven, he’s in the moment and he’s focusing in on the defence. Shaun and Brad Davis have worked brilliantly together, along with Matt Sherratt who has bonded really well with the boys and got his principles across.”

Looking ahead to the new season, Clarke said: “We recognise we haven’t kicked a ball in anger yet, but certainly we’re getting the impression that we’re getting close to it. We face Saracens on this week which is our last test leading into that Edinburgh game, so we’re really looking to see the work that we’ve done here coming to the fore on Thursday and in particular the following Friday against Edinburgh.”

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Press releases

Carmarthenshire Sixth Form students celebrate AS and A level successes

Posted By Robert Lloyd

The high quality of support and guidance received by sixth form students across Carmarthenshire’s schools continues to impact positively on the standards achieved at both AS and A Level.

The number of entries for AS and A Level examinations continues to increase, bucking the national trend and preparing students well for their future learning and career pathways.

The commitment and dedication shown by our students and their schools has resulted in nearly 78% of students achieving A*-C grades, reflecting an increase of 1.8% in comparison to results in 2017 and remaining comfortably above the Welsh national average of 73.8%.

Almost a quarter of the grades awarded, 24.8%, are A*- A, ensuring that our pupils are well placed when competing nationally for university placements, apprenticeships and career opportunities.

The improved outcomes are also reflected in the AS Level grades with 91.8% of entries being awarded an A-E grade. The increasingly effective learning opportunities on offer to our AS students have ensured a 4.6% increase in the A-E pass rate over the last three years.

The results have been warmly welcomed by Carmarthenshire County Council which has congratulated both students and schools, acknowledging the many inspiring opportunities that these encouraging grades will enable our young people to access.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Executive Board Member for Education, said: “Education in Wales is currently undergoing an exciting period of change and reform, reflecting the changing needs of our communities. The AS and A Level grades achieved by our pupils this year reflect, yet again, the successful partnership working between students, families, schools and the county council, equipping students with an aspirational range of learning opportunities. Students are very well prepared by our schools for the demands of the AS and A level examinations and they achieve highly as a result.”

“On behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council I wholeheartedly congratulate all of our students on the progress that they have made and on the grades that they have achieved. We wish you every success for the future.”

Director of Education and Children’s services, Gareth Morgans, added: “Our schools continue to prepare our students exceptionally well for the reformed AS and A Level qualifications that they have been working so hard towards over the last 2 years. The results achieved across Carmarthenshire this year once again reflect the dedication of our students, developing considerable resilience and a positive work ethic that will equip them well in their future studies and careers. I would like to sincerely congratulate them on all that they have achieved.”

“It is also pleasing to note the ongoing trend of 100% pass rates for both the Welsh first and second language courses, as well as in history, government and politics, English Language and literature and physical education, for example.

“The number of students achieving A*-A grades increased favourably this year, by 2.8%, reflecting the high expectations that we, and our schools, have of our young people.

“Warmest congratulations to all who have contributed so positively towards today’s success. Our students have many exciting decisions to make as they embrace their future journeys.”

This information, as in previous years, is based on provisional data provided by the WJEC.

More results are due from other examination boards and from further analysis of the results and these may affect the final position.

A detailed analysis will be available in the Autumn term.

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Scarlets

Press releases

Five Scarlets newcomers to face Bristol Bears

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Scarlets have named an extended squad for the first run out of the season, on Saturday 18th August kick-off 2.30pm, against Bristol Bears.

The Scarlets will welcome Bristol Bears to Carmarthen Park on Saturday in the first friendly of the 2081-19 season with five of the region’s new faces handed their regional debuts.

Clayton Blommetjies, Ed Kennedy, Kieron Fonotia, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Uzair Cassiem will all play a part in the pre season friendly as well as scrum half Kieran Hardy who has returned to the region, from Jersey RFC.

In other positive news for the region’s supporters Scarlets and Wales lock Jake Ball makes a return to action having injured his shoulder during last year’s Autumn Series.

Wayne Pivac and his coaching team have selected an extended squad for the friendly allowing the opportunity to not only see the new players in action but to also put in to practice what has been worked on over the last few months during pre-season training.

24-year-old centre Steff Hughes has been named captain for the opening clash of the season.

1st half squad:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Ioan Nicholas, 12 Steff Hughes ©, 11 Morgan Williams, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Kieran Hardy, 1 Dylan Evans, 2 Daf Hughes / Taylor Davies, 3 Javan Sebastian / Simon Gardiner, 4 Tom Price, 5 David Bulbring, 6 Ed Kennedy, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Josh Macleod

2nd half squad:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Steff Hughes ©, 11 Tomi Lewis, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 1 Phil Price, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Simon Gardiner / Werner Kruger, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Steve Cummins, 6 Ed Kennedy / Josh Macleod, 7 Dan Davis / Shaun Evans, 8 Uzair Cassiem

Replacements;
Rhys Fawcett, Tom Phillips, Declan Smith, Corey Baldwin, Ryan Conbeer

Tickets for Scarlets v Bristol Bears will be priced at £10 for adults, £6 for concessions and all children under 16 free of charge. You’ll be able to pay at the gate upon arrival.

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Press releases

Aberystwyth University sponsors Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Aberystwyth University is one of the main sponsors for Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend which takes place in Cardiff on 24 – 26 August 2018.

Voted one of the UK’s top 100 employers for inclusivity in the workplace according to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, Aberystwyth University is sponsoring the event for the third year.

The University’s presence at Pride Cymru comes as part of a full programme of events involving its LGBTA network Enfys Aber over the summer.

Working with community group SpringOut, Enfys Aber have been taking Aberration, which stages LGBTA arts events, on tour.

With support from Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Arts Council of Wales, the National Lottery, Welsh Government and Vegetarian guest house Over the Rainbow, Aberration has featured at this year’s L Fest in Llandudno and the National Eisteddfod.

Aberration’s latest offering, the Alternative Village Show, is being staged at Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s Summer House today 17 August.

The tour will culminate with a cabaret evening at Y Galeri, Caernarfon on 14 September 2018.

Ruth Fowler, Communications and Equalities Officer at Aberystwyth University and convener of Enfys Aber said: “We’re really pleased to be involved in such high profile LGBT events this summer. Aberration is a series of LGBTA arts events organised in partnership with SpringOut, and supported by the University and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. This year Aberration has received Arts Council funding to do a tour which inlcuded a date at the Eisteddfod, of which the University is one of the sponsors. We are also really thrilled that the University is also one of the sponsors of Pride Cymru once more this year.”

Aberystwyth University will have a stand at Pride Cymru and will be represented in the parade which takes place in the centre of Cardiff on Saturday 25 August.

 

Links:
Enfys Aber – The Aber Staff LGBTA network
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/supporting-staff/lifestyle/aberlgb&tnetwork/

Pride Cymru
http://bigweekend.pridecymru.co.uk/

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Mark Jones

Blog posts

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column

Posted By Robert Lloyd

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. This column appears in the Pembrokeshire Herald, Carmarthen Herald and Llanelli Herald.

 

The Government is reminding ‘stressed out parents’ that help may be available for childcare costs during the summer holidays.

According to a YouGov poll, 31% of parents feel stressed trying to arrange childcare for the school holidays.

The poll, for HMRC, also found that around 30% of parents worried about balancing their job and school holiday childcare.

A total of 54% admitted they look forward to their children returning to school in September.

HMRC is reminding working parents with summer childcare costs, that they can use Tax-Free Childcare (TFC), which is worth up to £2,000 per child per year, to pay for regulated holiday clubs during the school holidays.

Parents are advised that it is possible to pay into their account regularly and ‘save up’ their TFC allowance and use it for childcare during school holidays.

The money can go towards a whole range of regulated childcare including nurseries, childminders, before and after school clubs, or holiday clubs.

More than 58,000 registered childcare providers including school, football, art and tennis clubs have signed up across the UK.

Parents can apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare at the same time and are encouraged to do so before the end of June in time for next term.

They can then both be used together, with Tax-Free Childcare payments applying to any additional childcare costs over and above the 30 hours support, throughout the year.

Both offers are available to self-employed parents.

Parents can find out what government help is available and apply online by visiting the Childcare Choices website.

This is at – https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

The Childcare Choices website includes a Childcare Calculator that compares all the government’s childcare offers to check what works best for individual families.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, said:

“Organising childcare for school holidays is important for parents.

“Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare help make things easier by cuttings thousands of pounds from the childcare bills of working parents.’

“So, I hope families across the country visit the Childcare Choices website to take advantage of the offer available from the Government, and enjoy the holidays.”

The Children and Families Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, added:

“We are spending more than any other government on childcare because we want every child to get the best start in life.

“We are supporting as many families as possible with access to high-quality, affordable childcare helping to put more money in their pockets and balancing work and family lives.”

How Tax-Free Childcare works:

Working parents can apply, through the childcare service, to open an online childcare account.

For every £8 that families pay in, the government will make a top-up payment of an additional £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children).

This top up is added instantly and parents can then send electronic payments directly to their childcare providers.

The maximum government top-up is £500 per quarter for each child, or £1,000 if the child is disabled.

All registered childcare providers – whether nannies, nurseries, childminders or after school clubs – can sign up online now to receive parents’ payments through Tax-Free Childcare.

Parents need to sign back in every three months and confirm their details are up to date, to keep getting government top-ups.

Tax-Free Childcare is replacing ‘childcare vouchers’, which is only available to parents if their employer offers it.

Employer-Supported Childcare will be closing to new entrants on 4 October 2018, but parents who are already a member of a scheme will be able to remain in it as long as they remain with their employer and their employer continues to offer it.

The tax and National Insurance exemption for workplace nurseries will remain in place.

Parents moving from Employer-Supported Childcare to Tax-Free Childcare can still use childcare vouchers they’ve previously accrued.

In 2019/20, the Government will spend around £6 billion on childcare support.

Internet link –

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/take-the-stress-out-the-school-holidays-with-tax-free-childcare

There is a short film showing Childcare Choices available on YouTube –

https://youtu.be/f_4M-4eo7jM

 

You can find out more about money matters on the Clay Shaw Butler website (under our news for business section) –

http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news/latest-news-for-business

We have a strong and experienced team with great local knowledge all geared-up to helping you get the very best from your finances – whether that is as an individual or as a business.

We stay ahead of the game by putting great store by continual professional development for our staff.

With Investors In People status at Clay Shaw Butler, we care passionately about making sure our staff have all the tools they need to serve you, our customers.

 

Weblink – http://www.clayshawbutler.com

The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500.

The team at Clay Shaw Butler are on Twitter. Look for @clayshawbutler.

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Scarlets

Press releases

Maori All Black Blade Thomson on his way to join Scarlets

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Scarlets are delighted to announce that Maori All Black Blade Thomson will join the region in time for the 2018-19 season.

A Junior World Championship winner, international and seasoned pro in Super Rugby, 27-year-old Thomson currently plays for the Hurricanes.

He was a member of the New Zealand Under 20s team that won the Junior World Championship in 2010. He was first called in to the Maori All Blacks in 2013.

His versatility as a loose forward means he play at number 8, six and in the second row. His impressive 198cm (6’ 5”) frame will add another lineout option to Scarlets’ pack.

Thomson made his Super Rugby debut in 2013, where he played alongside Scarlets centre and Wales international Hadleigh Parkes, and has proved himself to be a dynamic, quick and skilful loose forward scoring seven tries.

Commenting on the news Head Coach Wayne Pivac said; “Blade’s Super Rugby experience will a welcome addition to the pack and the squad as a whole. He is a very athletic, no-nonsense player with a big engine who will be an effective ball carrier both in the wide channels as well as in the middle of the park.

“Blade is highly regarded in New Zealand whilst an untimely injury impacted on his rugby in the last six months but he’s certainly a physical player who possess the skillset to play the Scarlets way.”

Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby, said; “We have ambitions of competing in the knockout stages of the Guinness PRO14 and European Rugby Champions Cup season to season where strength in depth in the squad plays a huge part. Blade will bring a wealth of experience and will bring an additional physical edge to the pack. We very much look forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets.”

Blade Thomson added; “I’m really looking forward to heading north to join the Scarlets for the 2018-19 season. They play an exciting brand of rugby, finished last season as champions and are continuing to push for silverware in both competitions. I’m excited to join such a world-renowned club but my focus is fully on finishing the current season on a high with the Hurricanes and hopefully lifting some silverware.”

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