Nicky Robinson Becomes A Dragon Sport Ambassador
Having clinched a Heineken Cup quarter final spot with a superb performance against Gloucester last weekend, Cardiff Blues’ Number 10 Nicky Robinson is putting his left boot forward and encouraging youngsters to take up sport.
Cardiff Blues’ super fly-half, Nicky Robinson, 27, is the latest in a long line of Welsh sports stars to be enlisted as a Dragon Sport Ambassador, following in the footsteps of fellow rugby players Gavin Henson and James Hook, Ashes-winning cricketer Simon Jones and Wales’ First Lady of Paralympic sport, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.
94% of primary schools across Wales are now actively involved in the lottery funded Dragon Sport scheme – Wales’ biggest campaign to get primary school children hooked on out-of-school-hours sport – with further opportunities being offered by around 800 clubs outside of school.
Cardiff born and bred – Robinson followed firmly in the footsteps of fellow Blues player and older brother Jamie by making regular appearances for his home team at both Cardiff Youth and Under 21 level. Since making his debut into the world of senior rugby at the end of the 2000/01 season, he has racked up an impressive 656 point tally accelerating him to the title of Top Point Scorer at the club and contributing to his 12 call-ups to the Welsh squad.
Having grown up with a passion for rugby, the gifted number 10 is keen to tackle Wales’ youngsters by encouraging them to follow in his footsteps, pick up a ball and play.
"For the future of sporting success in Wales it is vital that we instil a similar passion for sport and activity into youngsters that I had when growing up, which is why I am delighted to be involved with the Dragon Sport scheme.
"The programme gives children the opportunity to take part in competitive sport in an environment that is fun and with people that know what they are doing, that they wouldn’t necessarily otherwise have. The more children we get participating in sport at a young age the broader the base will be and the better the quality of sportsmen and women we’ll have in the future."
Cllr Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, said:
"The Council is pleased to see that their partnership through Sport.Cardiff with Cardiff Blues has enabled the extension to Dragon Sport to be made. Sport.Cardiff now have 87 schools involved with the Dragon Sport programme, which has helped transform school sport at a junior level."
Philip Carling, Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, welcomes Robinson on board:
"We are delighted to have Nicky on board as an ambassador to the Dragon Sport scheme. As the Six Nations is about to start, we hope boys and girls across Wales take up the many opportunities on offer to get onto the pitch. Dragon Sport is exceeding all expectations and I’m pleased that so many schools and clubs are providing fun and safe sports sessions for primary school children."
One of the main aims of Dragon Sport, is to recruit and train volunteer sports organisers, leaders and coaches to spend time introducing youngsters to sports like rugby, tennis and hockey – especially parents and teachers who are the real experts on getting children out onto the pitch.
If you want to find out more about Dragon Sport in your area, contact your local authority and ask for your Dragon Sport Coordinator or check out www.dragon-sport.co.uk
Young Blues supporters throughout the region will be delighted to hear that following the success of last season’s holiday coaching camps, the Future Blues will be holding more camps in 2009 in association with Warburtons.
The dates for the camps are as follows-
February Half Term 17th, 18th and 19th February 2009 at Leckwith Athletics Stadium
Easter 7th, 8th and 9th April 2009 at Leckwith Athletics Stadium and 14th, 15th and 16th April at Pontypridd High School.
For more information contact nadine.griffiths@cardiffblues.com
22/01/2009
