The Rydal Penrhos contingent had travelled to the Athlete Factory in Chester to train with the United States of America’s National Sevens side, who were visiting the United Kingdom to compete in the latest leg of a prestigious international competition.
The team included Matthew Johnson, Head Boy James Gilman, Ethan Akroyd, Harry Fardoe, Harley Doyle, Telor Jones, Jonah Craddock and Year 5 pupil, Cieran Milligan. Together the boys formed the school’s U11 side that enjoyed a memorable campaign, recording a number of impressive results against teams from across North Wales and the North West.
During the event, the group got the chance to take part in a series of drills designed to improve all areas of their game and got some helpful hints from members of the squad before they took part in the recent London 7s competition.
Their squad included the supremely talented Carlin Isles, widely regarded as ‘the fastest man in rugby’.
The high-profile international series also featured former pupil Tom Williams, who played a starring role for the Welsh side and is a product of the Rydal Penrhos Rugby Academy, which is run in partnership with RGC and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Head of Boys’ Games, Jamie McLeod, said: “This was another very memorable experience for the group, who gained some first-class knowledge of the sevens game from a squad that is held in very high regard on the global stage. Hopefully this will stand them in good stead as they look to progress their respective careers and develop further at Rydal Penrhos at either our Prep or Senior facilities.”
