The Trust were pleased to be able to invite St.Julians HSOB to Rodney Parade on 1st November for the crucial top of the table clash with Llanelli.
St. Julians HSOB have been in existence for a long time at senior level, but in October of 2007, the club secretary, Andy Lee, decided that it was about time that a mini section was set up to essentially serve the school catchment areas of St.Julians and Glan Usk Primary Schools. Glan Usk is the replacement school for the old Durham Road school.
Within two months there were two age group sides playing at there home ground at the Glebelands, at Under Eight and Under Nine. This season there are well over thirty children training and playing regularly for the two teams as well as five qualified coaches looking after them.
They turned out at the Parade all smartly kitted out and formed the Guard of Honour for both Llanelli and Newport as they ran out onto the park. Unfortunately Newport were brought up just short by an outstanding Llanelli side and lost out by four points.
As is the norm with the junior and mini teams we come across around the city and surrounding area, they are largely self funding by the efforts, enthusiasm and expense of parents and club officials. We can only applaud the efforts of these dedicated people who ensure that future generations of players are preparing to play at senior level in the future.
St. Julians also provided a mascot from both age groups to help captain Andy Coombs to lead out the Newport team. They were Conor Williams and James Haslett. In the week that Newport celebrated the anniversary of beating the 1963 All Blacks, it was a pleasant coincidence to learn that young James' grandfather was the late great Glyn Davidge who put his body on the line that day in '63.
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