Well known stars of the rugby world interviewed by Llandovery Under 14s rugby team in ‘Amser TMO’ a new Podcast series

Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, in association with Menter Dinefwr and Ysgol Bro Dinefwr’s WRU Rugby Officer, are thrilled to be presenting a series of brand-new podcasts, entitled ‘Amser TMO’, by members of the Llandovery Rugby Club Under 14s team.

Over the past few weeks, an enthusiastic group of young people from Llandovery Rugby Club have joined up online and been busy creating a series of podcasts based on interviews with well-known people and stars from the rugby world. These include Marc Kinnaird, WRU Performance Analyst, Kieran Hardy, who plays for the 1st Welsh team, and Aled Walters, Head of Physical Performance at Leicester Tigers Rugby Team.

One of the aims in establishing Canolfan S4C Yr Egin was to create linguistic, cultural and social benefits in South-west Wales, and this project has undoubtedly achieved those aims. Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, said

“Our lives are becoming more and more dependent on technology and developing the skills necessary to share and tell our stories in Welsh online is extremely important. The increase in the number of podcasts has been huge, with 1.96 million available in March 2021. It’s important that Welsh voices are heard, and that our young people are trained to create quality content that reflects their interests. Many thanks to Llinos and the partners for providing such a professional experience and for teaching the young people essential skills.”

The project, led by Llinos Jones, Yr Egin Engagement Project Officer, and funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-20, has been a great opportunity for young people to develop new skills. Llinos Jones said:

“This is a very exciting project, which has given a group of young boys the opportunity to develop interviewing, recording and editing skills while engaging in one of their main interests, rugby. To be able to unite two seemingly disconnected worlds has been very good. The boys’ enthusiasm for the project, which enabled them to discuss rugby at a time when they could not play the game, has been contagious. Following evenings of chatting and creating, I feel extremely proud of the boys’ work, and very much hope that the project has inspired them to continue to create digitally, and in Welsh, in the future.”

The boys were very fortunate to have the support and experience of one of Yr Egin’s creative community, Marc Griffiths, Stiwdiobox. He guided the recording and the process of putting the whole thing together, resulting in six very entertaining podcasts, with a rugby expert in each episode. The project has been an opportunity to collaborate for the first time with Ysgol Bro Dinefwr’s WRU Rugby Officer, Tomas Marks:

“This production of Amser TMO” has inspired the boys of Ysgol Bro Dinefwr and Llandovery Rugby Club to learn digital technology skills through rugby. The project has enabled them to develop skills in recording, creating and producing podcasts. They have also had the privilege of interviewing stars of the rugby game in Wales. They have learnt about different careers in rugby, such as coaching, refereeing, analysis and fitness training, and have gained precious knowledge about playing rugby at international and regional level by Kieran Hardy and Jac Morgan. I think this innovative project is fantastic because it has amalgamated schools, local rugby clubs, Yr Egin and the Mentrau Iaith. I’m really looking forward to listening to the podcasts before and after Wales wins this year’s Six Nations!”

Yr Egin is very pleased to support the excellent work of the Mentrau Iaith in Carmarthenshire in order to develop and promote the Welsh language, and it was great to be able to work with Menter Dinefwr on this project. Linda Morris, Menter Dinefwr’s Development Officer, said:

“The “Amser TMO” project has been hugely successful, and it was great to be able to work with Yr Egin, Llandovery Rugby Club and the WRU to create these podcasts. The boys from Llandovery RFC were extremely professional, and their questions to the Welsh rugby stars were excellent. We hope these sessions have inspired the young lads to pursue their dream of playing rugby for Wales, and, who knows – maybe we’ll see some familiar faces on the Principality Stadium pitch in a couple of years!”

These podcasts are now available on Spotify and you can also find them on Yr Egin’s social media.