Schoolgirls try hand at wheelchair rugby coached by WRU apprentices

Schoolgirls from a Muslim faith school in Cardiff have tried their hand at wheelchair rugby as part of a national scheme to promote apprenticeships.

National Apprenticeship Week aims to promote the benefits apprenticeships can offer individuals, employers and the economy.

The event, held at House of Sport, Cardiff, on Friday morning, was hosted by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Kira Philpott joined the WRU apprenticeship programme when she was 18 years old and said it has been "life-changing."

The schoolgirls were taught about the rules of Rugby Union.

She said: "If I'd come fresh out of sixth form and had to go to university, I'd be doing Police Sciences right now, and probably would have been dropping out as well.

"It's not what I wanted to do but schools do put that pressure on people to go straight into university or straight into employment.

"I've got two extra A levels out of it and I know what I want to do for the rest of my life, so it's been gold dust for me really."

The WRU scheme offers training and experiences with the aim of developing a new generation of sports professionals.

"We always tell everyone, 'If you want to join in, there's a jersey for you, there's a format that's going to fit you,'" Kira said.

The former apprentice said the event on Friday also gave her an opportunity to learn more about Islamic values.

"We share a lot of values, as the Welsh Rugby Union and with the Islamic faith - we all preach about our integrity, courage, family, and that's everyone's values."

One pupil said 'it was nice to be able to do girls rugby and wear [a hijab] at the same time.'

The schoolgirls were taught about the rules of Rugby Union, passing and catching techniques and how to control the wheelchair during a game.

One pupil said: "I've never seen girls rugby before, so it was nice to be able to do girls rugby and wear [a hijab] at the same time."

The Welsh Government said its target to roll out 100,000 apprenticeships by May 2021 is set to be exceeded.

It said more than 74,000 people have started an apprenticeship since the target was set.

Speaking at the event on Friday, the First Minister said the perception of apprenticeships as "old-fashioned" is changing.