Latest news with #SiwanLillicrap
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japanese schoolchildren sing brilliant Welsh anthem to Wales players
More than 100 Japanese schoolchildren performed a pitch-perfect rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau for a group of Wales internationals in Kitakyushu on Wednesday. Ahead of the first Test at Mikuni World Stadium on Saturday, Wales captain Dewi Lake, along with Tommy Reffell and Rhodri Williams, visited Shinozaki Junior High School on Wednesday as part of a series of events to mark the visit of the Welsh national team. The city in Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture was the training base of Wales during the 2019 World Cup, with the locals essentially adopting the side as their favourite team. Advertisement Remarkably, that bond still remains six years on, with Wales receiving a rousing welcome when they arrived here last week. READ MORE: Today's rugby news as Lions name new team after 'desperately sad' news shocks tourists READ MORE: How to watch Lions v Queensland Reds on TV - channel and UK kick-off time However, no sight better represented the affection held for Welsh rugby in this city than the anthem by the schoolchildren on Wednesday morning. As part of a visit to the school by the Welsh Rugby Union, the group of children sang a stirring rendition of the anthem for the Wales stars, with former internationals Rhys Williams and Siwan Lillicrap also present. Advertisement "It was incredible to hear more than 100 children singing our national anthem in Welsh after they had been practising every day for a long time," said Williams, who is now the WRU's head of commercial. "It feels like a bit of Wales is here. We created a huge legacy programme back in 2019. "This is the first time we have had the chance to come back to Japan and especially Kitakyushu. The relationship we have with the city is unbelievable." As part of the visit, Lake, Reffell and Williams took part in passing drills, while each pupil received a Wales hat as a gift. The school was also presented with a signed Wales shirt. The school returned the favour with a gift of their own to the WRU, with a decorative item featuring the kanji for 'kokoro' - the Japanese word for 'heart', as well as the Welsh word for it too, 'calon'. "We were speaking to people last night and they think the majority of the crowd will be backing Wales," added Williams. "We hope that is the case." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. There is an expectation that local support could be in Wales' favour, with assistant coach T. Rhys Thomas being asked about that likelihood by a local journalist. "We are hoping there are going to be a big percentage of the crowd supporting us," he said. "We feel the support and really appreciate it and it is a big thank you from all the players and staff. "It will be interesting to see who people are supporting but hopefully we can inspire people to give us a good atmosphere." Wales No. 8 Aaron Wainwright was one of a handful of the current squad who were in Kitakyushu back in 2019. "It is nice to be back," he said. "We have seen a lot of Welsh and Japanese fans on the streets over the last few days and had a chance to speak to them. "I met some people I met in 2019 so it's nice to catch up with them. "It's good to come back and take more in than maybe I did in 2019. When I came here six years ago I was not sure what to expect but those open training sessions we had at a packed stadium with the guys chanting and singing the anthem was surreal and I am hoping for the same on the weekend. "We had a big welcome when we arrived and a few of the boys were quite taken aback because it was probably something we had not experienced before and I was trying to explain what it was like in 2019 and how big that World Cup was. "We went for a team walk and we had some of the guys coming up to a few of the boys and asking for photos and autographs with some of the boys taken aback by how much support we have here and a lot of that comes from the World Cup."
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Neath rugby club issue apology after 'not for girls' social media post
Why you can trust Sky News A rugby club have apologised for a social media post which stated an upcoming match was "not for girls". Neath RFC faced criticism over a post advertising its fixture against Llangennech later this month as "definitely NOT FOR GIRLS". The post, which has now been deleted, was accompanied by a graphic which also bore the slogan. Neath plays in the Indigo Premiership, the highest tier of Welsh club rugby. Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, said she wanted to see the post "taken down with an apology". "Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play," she said. Meanwhile, former Wales rugby union captain Siwan Lillicrap said it was "shameful and disgraceful". In a post on X on Monday evening, which has also since been deleted, a club spokesperson said: "Forget the noise. Forget the outrage. Let's talk about real change." It went on to say that its campaign was "designed to provoke debate" but the club understood "it may have caused confusion and upset for some". But in a further statement on Tuesday, club owner Matty Young said he "sincerely" apologised for any offence caused. "That was never my intention and in no way reflects any attitudes within Neath RFC. I take full ownership as the club owner and author of the post," he added. "The idea from the start was to shine a light on the casual misogyny that still exists in parts of rugby and, more importantly, to champion the incredible women and girls' rugby players who represent our club with passion, skill, and dedication. "I now recognise that the initial post did not effectively convey this message, and for that, I am sorry." In light of the response, Mr Young said the club would delay the release of its intended follow-up videos "to take the time to reflect, listen, and ensure that we are delivering the right message in a way that fully aligns with our values".
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Welsh rugby club investigated after advertising derby match ‘not for girls'
A Welsh rugby club has come under fire for its 'ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate' promotion of a Welsh Premiership fixture which it claimed was 'definitely not for girls.' Neath RFC sparked a furious backlash from former Welsh internationals and politicians after using the controversial slogan in a social media post to advertise their upcoming derby with Llangennech later this month. The incendiary post was deleted within hours of being published on Monday evening and included the hashtag #NotForGirls. It read: 'The new West Wales Derby. Friday night under the lights. This one isn't for the faint hearted. This one isn't for the half-committed. This one is definitely NOT FOR GIRLS.' A graphic accompanying the post also had 'not for girls' bolded up in pink capital letters, which provoked a scathing reaction from former Wales women players. Siwan Lillicrap, the former Wales captain and current Wales under-18 head coach, wrote on X: 'I can't believe my eyes – shame on you @neathrfc! Ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate.' Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP for Gower and former Wales international, wrote on social media: 'Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play the game and have played!' Lowri Norkett-Morgan, the former Wales wing, also condemned the club's ill-fated marketing attempt, branding it 'absolutely disgusting'. Wales international Cerys Hale also weighed in, saying: 'Who the hell thought this type of marketing was acceptable? Absolutely appalling from Neath RFC, I hope anyone associated are [sic] completely embarrassed. If anyone questioned why we feel the need to shout about equality.' The Wales Rugby Union, who are said to be investigating what happened, spotted the post within hours of it being published on Monday evening and instructed the Premiership side to take it down. A Welsh Rugby Union spokesperson said: 'We asked Neath to remove the post as soon as possible and of course do not condone the sentiment it contained.' In a repost that has since been deleted, Llangennech quoted the controversial post with the message: 'Fixture update. Friday night lights at The Gnoll!' 'Forget the noise' Neath subsequently posed a lengthy follow-up message in which the club seemed to suggest that women had been involved in the promotion of the club's fixture. 'Now that we have your attention… Forget the noise. Forget the outrage. Let's talk about real change,' the club wrote in a statement on X. The club went on to say that 'women aren't just involved in Neath RFC – they are essential to its success' before detailing its successful women and girls section. One of the fastest-growing and most important parts of Neath RFC is the Neath Panthers –our thriving women's and girl's rugby set-up. 'They play a vital role in the future of our club, showcasing their skill, passion, and determination – the very qualities that define the future of Welsh rugby.'
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Neath condemned for using 'not for girls' slogan
Neath RFC have been condemned for promoting their upcoming Premiership fixture with Llangennech using the slogan "this one is definitely not for girls".The Welsh All Blacks host their local rivals at The Gnoll on Friday, 28 March and promoted the match on their main X post included the hashtag '#NotForGirls' and ended with the message: "Stay tuned… Not everything is as it seems."Neath were blasted on social media, with former Wales captain and current Wales Under-18s head coach Siwan Lillicrap, external writing on X: "I can't believe my eyes - shame on you @neathrfc! Ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate."Tonia Antoniazzi, external, Labour MP for Gower, wrote on social media: "Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play and have played! "Be good to see it taken down with an apology @neathrfc."Wales international Cerys Hale, external wrote: "Well at least the comments section has given me some hope!"Who the hell thought this type of marketing was acceptable?! Absolutely appalling from Neath RFC, I hope anyone associated are completely embarrassed."If anyone questioned why we feel the need to shout about equality."And former Wales wing Lowri Norkett-Morgan, external posted: "Absolutely disgusting@neathrfc. All those girls at @NeathPanthers not welcome in their own club. Shame on you." The post, originally published at 18:04 GMT on Monday, was deleted shortly after 21:00 also read: "The new West Wales derby. Friday night under the lights."No frills. No apologies. Just brutal, old-school, Friday night rugby at its finest. "This is where the bravehearts step up, rivalries ignite, and the hits shake the ground. If you crave passion, grit, and raw intensity, this is where you belong."A graphic accompanying the post also included the message "not for girls".Llangennech quoted the controversial post with the message: "Fixture update. Friday night lights at The Gnoll!" The repost has since been Sport Wales has approached Neath RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union for comment.
