Wales prop Cerys Hale an inspiration for Dragons youngsters

The region has established a women’s development academy that will run alongside the men’s age-grade set-up in Ystrad Mynach.

Hale, who turns 29 on Monday, has been appointed as performance lead to provide the next generation with chances to follow in her footsteps.

The front rower played for Newport High School Old Boys before featuring for the Dragons on her way to becoming an international front rower.

Hales, who started at tighthead in the Six Nations win against Ireland last weekend, coached at the Jesters and Knights girls clusters in Ebbw Vale and Newport and Ryan believes she has all the attributes to spearhead a successful programme.

Members of the new Dragons development academy

“It's a huge step and I am really excited about it. The right thing to do was to take the first step into an age-grade programme,” said Ryan, who is also on the Dragons’ board.

“I know from speaking to Cerys that we needed to not only take the step but take that step with somebody that is passionate and will inspire people through the pathway, getting the women's game in our region ready for the game going professional in Wales.

“You can sit and ask when that is going to happen and what is it going to look like or you can just take the first step.”

Hale, who won her 36th cap in Dublin, plays her club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury in England’s Premier 15s.

“Cerys was so passionate about it and her quote was 'why does a girl from Gwent have a different opportunity to a girl from Gloucester?' struck a huge chord,” said Ryan.

“Do we know what things look like outside of the age-grade programme moving forward? No.

"Are we going to work really hard and tirelessly to give the best environment to be ready [for the next step]? Yes we are.”

Wales prop Cerys Hale

“When we talked about it I said there was no point moving into that space without an individual that is so passionate about creating pathways for women's rugby,” continued Ryan. “That passion is what will inspire and becomes contagious.”

The first batch of 13 youngsters have access to the academy coaching and conditioning staff at the Ystrad Mynach headquarters.

“Credit to everybody within the club that has worked across the programmes just to get it off the ground,” said Ryan.

“It has been humbling to see how many people have just got engaged with that programme in a short space of time because there is a lot of organisation and a lot of things needed to be put in place.”