WRU to revamp nation's top women's teams

The top level of women's rugby in Wales is to be revamped with its two current teams to be replaced by fresh set-ups.The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will ask the nation's four professional men's regions - Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and WRU-owned Cardiff and "selected universities" - to bid to form the new teams.They will replace Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge, a competition in which two sides each from Ireland and Scotland also play.The WRU stated: "The professional clubs will be asked to bid for a 'Celtic Challenge Licence' and split the funding for the two teams for the next three years until 2028, with Welsh universities also welcomed into the process."The cost of each team will be match-funded by the WRU, with each club's operating cost expected to be £200,000 a season."The WRU added: "This exciting and key development for Welsh rugby recognises that women's rugby is the fastest growth area of the game, with the 2025 Rugby World Cup set to be a 'generational' moment for the sport."
WRU head of women's and girls rugby Belinda Moore said: "This is a hugely significant and exciting moment for women's rugby in Wales. It underlines the WRU's commitment to grow the game at home, and we look forward to having discussions with the professional clubs in Wales and our educational establishments."The initial discussions that have taken place have recognised that this is a unique and exciting opportunity for Welsh rugby."Moore added: "From my personal experience across the border, the English clubs have recognised the value and commercial opportunities available in women's rugby."This will not be easy, and we expect to have detailed discussions around what support the WRU will provide and to scrutinise what the clubs who apply will offer the next generation of players in Wales."Moore also highlighted the achievements of university side Cardiff Met."Cardiff Met's recent fantastic success, beating Loughborough and being crowned Women's BUCS Super Rugby champions, included 10 players who played in the Celtic Challenge last season," said Moore."It underlines that Wales produces rugby talent, and we just need to provide that talent with the opportunity and a stage to develop and flourish."The new teams' coaches will be appointed by the WRU.The union added that successful bids to form the teams "will meet the operating standards set by the tournament organisers".For the last two campaigns, Brython Thunder played at Parc y Scarlets, while Gwalia Lightning switched between Cardiff Arms Park and Rodney Parade in their first season and at Ystrad Mynach in 2024-25.The WRU has set a deadline of Friday, 2 May for any expressions of interest in forming one of the new teams.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

3 hours ago

• Wales Online

Famous pink sweet shop is doing something brilliant after 80 years in business

Famous pink sweet shop is doing something brilliant after 80 years in business The Pink Shop in Pontypridd, now known as Pinc, has been open since the 1940s and is one of the oldest of its kind in south Wales The Pink Shop in Treforest has had a modern makeover (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) If you're local to Treforest you would know of the Pink Shop, and some of you may have even spent some of you pocket money on a few sweets. Over the 80 or so years the shop has been up and running the name has changed several times, however two things have remained the same. The colour and the sweets. Sian Perez and her sister-in-law Jazz Dicker run their own care and supported living service for adults with autism, learning disabilities and mental illness in Treforest called Crwban Care and Support. ‌ The family run company started over a Sunday dinner during the pandemic and has since developed in to a major part of the community. The pair have now expanded their horizons and taken over the oldest sweet shop in South Wales. ‌ The Pink Shop in Pontypridd, now known as Pinc as a nod to the Welsh language, has been open since the 1940s but has recently had a modern makeover. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Sian who had a care background and Jazz who had a nursing background joined forces to help support adults with additional needs to gain more independence. When the opportunity came up to start their own businesses they said they just had to take it. Jazz said: "We help individuals become independent in the community and live their best lives. Pink was never part of our plan, but when we were given the opportunity, we couldn't turn it down because not only is the Pink Shop or now Pinc, iconic in Trefforest, it also is going to be a place that we want our service users and our residents to be able to volunteer and become integrated members of society and be part of something pretty special." Article continues below There's still a selection of old sweets in the store, but now they have also branched out and are serving breakfast, lunch and coffees too. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Sian explained: "The Pink Shop is the oldest independent sweet shop in South Wales, so I think it started around the 1940s, and it's just changed over time so it's been a sweet shop since then and obviously we wanted to keep the sweets, but just add a bit more extra." Jazz said: "When we were even painting it outside, the local members of the community were walking past and checking that we weren't going to paint it another colour. The whole community knows about the pink shop and it's actually been really lovely to meet members of the community and hear about their stories and their memories coming here as children with their parents then bringing their own kids. ‌ "So we felt it was really important to keep that side of things, especially because we very much want to be a community café and a hub." The family run business consists of barista Tailan de Morais, manager Katrina Morris and co-owners Jazz Dicker and Sian Perez. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Katrina, Sian's sister and Jazz's wife has taken over managing the cafe/sweet shop, and is primarily the reason it looks the way it does now. They told us that it was a massive family effort to get shop looking and running the way it is now. However, they are also looking forward to including some of their service users in the team, through their volunteer programme. ‌ Jazz said: "Having been running Crwban for nearly three years now many of our residents are really desperate to have those sorts of opportunities and whilst we've met a lot of really lovely welcoming businesses in the area who provide those opportunities there's not many, and our our guys are now incredibly excited so Sian's carrying interviews with them on the first of July." Sian added: "We've done interview workshops, CV workshops, application form workshops, just to expand on their skill set as well." Jazz continued: "It's also been really lovely because whilst we set it up with Crwban residents in mind, we've also had other members of the community pop in to ask about opportunities for their loved ones with additional needs. So we've realised it's probably going to be a much bigger project than we first envisaged and we're handing out applications to more of the public now." ‌ Two of Crwban's service users who have started volunteering are 22-year-old Dylan and 26-year-old Declan. Dylan said that Pinc is going to be "fantastic "and that he's exciting to work on the till and bake cakes. He said he's "not going to wash up" as he doesn't like it but that he thinks he is going to "have fun and learn lots of things". Meanwhile, Declan's goal is to "learn to use the coffee machine" and he "loves meeting people" so can't wait to start his new role. ‌ Declan and Dylan are two of Crwban's service users who are now volunteering in Pinc, Treforest (Image: Pinc ) The duo have hired cafe-specific staff, but also a few support workers who are going to be doing their barista training so they can work across both Crwban and Pinc. Jazz explained: "so then it's a space that you're coming to, you can go to the cafe, but you've also got the cafe staff are trained to engage with individuals with additional needs and give them those experiences. "It's like those social opportunities are really, really important, and being able to then run social groups in an environment like that, and especially because not all of our service users or residence will be able to volunteer at the cafe, we have some more complex individuals, but even just being able come and be there will be good for them." ‌ The team are also hoping to do social events and groups for people with additional needs, as well as workshops, cooking lessons, evening classes,karaoke, coffee mornings, open mic nights. The co-founders shared that they have a big vision for Pinc and that they "hope it's going to be very special." The business really is a family affair, as co-owner Jazz, her wife Katrina and her sister-in-law Sian all work together. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) They hope to make an inclusive and safe space for those in the community to have the sort of experiences, most people take for granted. Jazz continued: "That's probably the the motive for a lot of what we want to do in there so we're starting a chatty hour a couple of mornings a week for an hour where we're gonna sit in the cafe and and if anybody wants to come down just for a chat to sort of tackle loneliness. Article continues below "Local sort of like support groups have approached us to ask if they can sort of base themselves at Pinc as well. So, that's like the main goal is we basically want to be like a hub where there's always something going on for everyone, whether it be our residents or other sort of vulnerable groups within the community."

Scottish Sun

5 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Former Championship manager, 44, now working at Bristol Airport as picture of him in uniform goes viral

Gaffer has done a whole host of interesting and different jobs over the years TAKE A SECOND LUKE Former Championship manager, 44, now working at Bristol Airport as picture of him in uniform goes viral Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Championship manager has swapped wingers for wings - by taking a job at Bristol Airport. And fans could barely believe their eyes as he opted for a high-viz instead of a high line. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Luke Williams was dismissed as Swansea manager in February Credit: Getty 2 He has taken on a new job helping those with mobility difficulties at Bristol Airport Credit: Ex-Swindon and Notts County chief Luke Williams was Swansea boss from January 2024 until his sacking in February 2025. The London-born gaffer, 44, was placed on gardening leave. But despite no doubt receiving a pay-off from the Welsh club when axed four months ago, he was keen to do something worthwhile during his time out of the game. So much so that as he awaits a new stint in a dugout, kind-hearted Williams has undertaken a gig helping disabled and limited-mobility passengers around the Bristol Airport terminal, as reported by The Athletic. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL MARC MY WORDS Man Utd outcast Rashford says he wants to join Barca in come-and-get-me plea He started the job two weeks ago. And it did not take long for a photo of him at his new workplace to go viral. The snap showed humble Williams wearing his yellow reflective vest uniform and lanyard coming out of the lift in Bristol. An X user wrote: "Luke Williams gone from managing the Swans to working in Bristol Airport, someone check VAR." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS One replied: "He's just doing this because he's bored, he genuinely doesn't care about others' opinions and you have to respect it." Another commented: "Fair play to the guy." Former Premier League manager is told 'f--- you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row A third joked: "Managing in the top flight." A fourth added: "Cardiff City fan here with nothing but respect for this. Call me woke if you want. (*best believe I'll turn up in full bluebirds kit when I fly out next week)" And a final person typed: "Clearly has a massive work ethic. Good luck to him!" Williams told The Guardian in 2024 that he places a strong emphasis on commitment and dedication, declaring: "In my opinion, motivation in life is everything." He also revealed how he loaded lorries for BHS and drove minibuses to and from nightclubs and airports to fund his early coaching career. In those days, he collected £1.50 for every player who attended his sessions. Williams also applied for an electrician course when he left his coaching role with Swansea under Russell Martin in 2022.

Wales Online

5 hours ago

• Wales Online

The incredible deli hidden in Cardiff city centre with holiday in the Med vibes

The incredible deli hidden in Cardiff city centre with holiday in the Med vibes If you want to embrace the joy of southern Italian food, long lunches and a friendly atmosphere then look no further Gloria Serena Arcerito, originally from Sicily is the owner of Khione (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) If you've not tried out Khione Sicilian Delicatessen in Duke Street Arcade in Cardiff, you're definitely missing a trick. Italy is my ultimate favourite destination to travel to, partly because of their different attitudes to food and they have the cutest little shops which are way more fun to browse in and pick up your daily essentials than the standard UK supermarket. But as I found out recently, you don't actually have to travel to Italy to soak up the glory of Italian food culture. ‌ Khione first started out running at the market in Pontcanna before opening up in Canton and they have now been operating in the city centre for over six months. Owned by Gloria Serena Arcerito, who is originally from Sicily, she started working on the business and idea during lockdown with the intention of bringing the experience of traditional Sicilian cuisine to Cardiff. ‌ All of the products at Khione are all carefully selected and shipped directly from Sicily itself. They're also produced by small businesses and farmers who believe in upholding the traditional family recipes many generations of Sicilians have grown up with. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Gloria Serena Arcerito, who moved from Sicily seven years ago and has built up a thriving Italian business in the centre of Cardiff (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) Gloria moved to the UK seven years ago, and lived with a family in Wales where she learned to speak English. Article continues below 'It was hard at the beginning', she explained. 'I decided to do a full immersion so the family was a Welsh-English family. 'So the lady, Jenny, who's my friend and who owned the house, wanted to learn Italian so we taught each other. We created a community and they helped me start the business because they gave me space which I could use for storage. 'During Covid I also used to work at the City Arms - just because I still wanted to learn and be a part of it all.' ‌ Before meeting Gloria and speaking to her properly I tried out the food the night before to get a sense of how the business flows of a typical day and I fell in love with the atmosphere, décor - as well as the amazing flavours straight away. Olives, bread, lemonade and a pizza slice from Khione (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) I arrived just before they were set to close at 6pm and as it was a hot summer's afternoon and went for olives and bread which was totally perfect, and a great, light evening snack. ‌ Inside, the vibe is warm and welcoming, and the space invites you to experience a slice of Italian culture in a mix of ways. Downstairs is where the shop sits, where you can stock up on proper Italian food. The décor and layout definitely makes you feel like you've been transported to a Sicilian village rather than the arcades of Cardiff, and when you're browsing through the different products and ingredients - I'd say you feel much more inspired to get creative in the kitchen than picking up food from a chain store, so it acts as a simple reminder of how nice it is to support small businesses. You can look out onto the arcades from some of the seats (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) ‌ But if you thought that Khione was just a shop then think again. You can also order from their wide-ranging menu and be served food upstairs, where they have one of the loveliest, homiest dining spaces I've come across in the city - or you can dine on the seating located outside the deli. The olives were zesty, with loads of flavour and it was genuinely the best bread I'd eaten since stopping at a deli I haven't stopped thinking about in Ventimaglia, in Italy itself. My partner got a small slice of pizza which was in his words 'a delectable choice for a quick bite and actually very filling', and we both opted for bottles of lemonade which were lovely, and tasted gorgeously organic. Also on the menu is a selection of Italian favourites including Pinsa Romana, Tiramisu', Honey and pecorino cheese, full size pizzas and much much more. ‌ Upstairs in Khione Considering how food is central to her identity and culture, and what it means to her to bring something she is so passionate about to Cardiff, Gloria said: 'My Dad had a company producing preserves, so my dad and the rest of my family are very into food. 'I used to help my mum when she was cooking and making desserts and I would help make cakes or tiramisu. So I just learned by watching. ‌ 'It's nice to cook for the family, and eat together as a family. For example at lunch time we'd always try and wait for each other, of course that's not always possible. There are some gorgeous corners inside the deli which create plenty of room for warmth and connection if you're eating there with friends or family (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) 'Nowadays it's not always easy if you work all day but if you have a break in the day to get everyone together and talk about what's going on it's a way to release stress and reset for the other half of the day. ‌ 'There is maybe a bit less of that in life day to day. Even in the north of Italy, people work all day, finish earlier but there is no break. 'In the south, people are still taking a little break, one hour or two is a way to reset.' But could these values be picked up by people in Cardiff? Gloria has also found that because of the way the business runs in Cardiff, it might already be encouraging people to slow down a little. She explained: 'Some people who are coming in do seem to be staying a little longer than just for a quick lunch. ‌ One of Gloria's goals for the business is to provide a range of authentic Italian food to people in Cardiff and build more connection with what they are eating (Image: Bethany Gavaghan ) 'We do serve pizza and paninis to take away. Maybe the fact it is a shop it's slightly confusing, and not just somewhere you go to eat. People are surprised that you can come in and especially go upstairs, where there are completely different vibes. 'The idea is if you want to come here and have a nice lunch, or take home and prepare a dinner if you have a special event, or even daily with the tomato sauce - someone else took care of the food for you, so you can have a nice meal, quicker.' Article continues below