ST HELEN’S: Famous turf from historic ground given new life at grassroots clubs across the region

The famous turf at St Helen’s is being given a new lease of life at grassroots clubs across south-west Wales.

As the historic Swansea ground is dug up for redevelopment, the soil steeped in more than a century of sporting history is being lifted and delivered to local club grounds.

The Ospreys said they were working with Swansea Council to share the turf with clubs around the region.

“The turf from St Helen’s is helping clubs across our community,” the region said, as the work to lift the pitch began.

It is a fitting send-off for one of Welsh rugby’s most storied grounds. The home of Swansea RFC since 1873, St Helen’s staged the first home international in Welsh rugby history in 1882.

It was also where, in September 1935, Swansea became the first club side ever to beat the touring All Blacks, running out 11–3 winners.

The handover marks the physical start of a project that will transform the ageing ground into a modern home for the Ospreys.

Work began on the redevelopment last month, with the Ospreys unveiling plans for a phased transformation including a new South Stand, a redeveloped West Stand and a fan zone.

The club described it as the end of the most turbulent chapter in its history, after a period of uncertainty that at one stage threatened its very existence.

The redevelopment is being backed by significant public money.

Swansea Council agreed to commit its full £5.1m to the scheme, switching the funding from a loan to an outright investment to secure the ground as a community stadium and the Ospreys’ home.

The pictures from the site show diggers and trucks at work on the stripped pitch, with the sea and the Trade Centre Wales stand framing the familiar setting.

For the grassroots clubs receiving it, a piece of one of Welsh sport’s most storied grounds will now be part of their own pitches.

The gesture comes at an otherwise anxious time for the region.

The Ospreys recently signed Welsh rugby’s new Professional Rugby Agreement, ending months of uncertainty — but the deal keeps them tied to a timetable that could still see Welsh rugby cut from four professional regions to three.

For now, though, the focus is on a quieter legacy — the famous St Helen’s turf taking root at clubs across the area.

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SWANSEA HALF MARATHON: Record numbers expected for 12th edition — with Welsh rugby legends among runners for Ospreys in the Community

The countdown is on to the return of one of Wales’s biggest summer sporting events, with the Mizuno Swansea Half Marathon set to take over the Swansea coastline on Sunday 7 June.

Now in its 12th year, the race has rapidly grown from a 2014 start-up into one of Britain’s most popular half marathon events — and organisers say the 2026 edition is set to be the biggest yet.

Record numbers and a national championship

Organisers Front Runner Events say this year’s race will see record participation levels, with the event having now sold out.

This year’s race will also host the Masters International Road Championships, welcoming 216 Masters Athletes from Wales, England, Northern Ireland and the UK Armed Forces team — a significant national event hosted alongside the main half marathon.

Race Director Tash Smith said the half marathon had become a celebration of Swansea itself, pointing to the city’s energy, community spirit and coastal scenery as central to the race’s growing reputation.

Welsh rugby legends among the runners

Among the thousands of runners taking on the 13.1-mile coastal route will be Welsh rugby greats Shane Williams and Ian Gough — both raising funds for Ospreys in the Community, the regional rugby side’s charitable arm.

The pair will be joined by teams of runners raising money for headline charity partner Shelter Cymru, which works to end homelessness in Wales, alongside Maggie’s Swansea, Morgan’s Army and Cancer Research Wales.

Over the years, the race has helped raise millions of pounds for charitable causes, with organisers describing the event as much more than a race — a celebration of community, resilience and supporting good causes.

A city-wide festival atmosphere

The 2026 event will once again feature a wider race-day experience designed to bring the city centre and Swansea Bay alive.

Live music and entertainment zones will be set up along the course, with cheer stations from community groups, sports clubs and charities at key points around the route. A Family Fun Run with mascots from Freedom Leisure, a vibrant event village, and a “warm Welsh welcome” at the village of Mumbles are all part of the day.

The race is expected to deliver significant economic impact for the city, with hotels, restaurants, cafés and local businesses set to benefit from a major influx of visitors during race weekend.

Sponsors behind the start line

The event is supported by headline sponsor Mizuno, the global sportswear brand. Matthews & Co Chartered Accountants are sponsoring the Corporate Challenge — a contest between local businesses for the title of fastest team.

Brecon Carreg are returning as official hydration partners, while Gravells will provide the electric pace car leading the route, with traffic management run by Core Highways.

Sold out — but charity places remain

With demand for UK half marathons running at record highs, general entry to this year’s event has sold out.

However, runners who still want to take part can do so by signing up to run for one of the race’s official charity partners, with places still available.

New 2027 date confirmed

For runners already looking ahead, organisers have confirmed the 2027 event will move from its traditional June slot to Sunday 21 March 2027 — repositioning the race as a spring half marathon.

Early bird entry is now open at £35, with organisers warning that limited places at the discount price are expected to sell quickly.

Full information on road closures, spectator points, race-day timings and other key information is available in the official Race Day Guide on the Swansea Half Marathon website.

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Youth ASB reports fall in Swansea’s SA1 after summer crackdown

From noisy nights to quieter streets

In recent summers, people living around the docks complained of large groups gathering, shouting late into the night, jumping into the water, throwing objects and riding bikes dangerously. Police say those problems have eased, with reports of anti‑social behaviour falling from 34 in 2022 to 29 this year — despite another warm summer. In August, just one incident was logged, compared with nine in 2022.

Police and partners change tactics

South Wales Police credit the fall to a multi‑agency approach. Officers increased patrols in the docks and SA1, supported by Special Constables, and held regular “Cuppa with a Copper” sessions so residents could raise concerns face‑to‑face.

At the same time, diversionary activities were offered to young people. These included sports sessions run by Ospreys in the Community, the outreach arm of the region’s professional rugby team; day trips organised by EVOLVE, a youth engagement programme; and free tickets to the LC2 leisure centre.

Building confidence among residents

Police also worked with local businesses and apartment complexes to provide reassurance and encourage reporting through the South Wales Listens platform.

Inspector Andrew Price, South Wales Police, said: “Residents of SA1 should not have to put up with any level of anti‑social behaviour as they go about their daily business. It is pleasing to see that the data shows the operation is having a positive effect.”

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Ospreys unveil new 2025/26 kits paying tribute to Swansea Bay and Celtic heritage

Created by Italian sportswear brand Macron, the kits will be worn in the United Rugby Championship and are made entirely from eco fabrics produced from 100% post‑consumer recycled plastic.

The home shirt is predominantly black with light copper detailing on the collar and sleeves. A tone‑on‑tone sublimated graphic depicts Swansea Bay and the wider Ospreys region, alongside an emblem honouring the team’s future home ground at St Helen’s.

The back of the collar features the outline of the Ospreys region, while the St Helen’s emblem is embossed near the hem. Black shorts and socks with copper accents complete the look.

The away shirt combines white and teal with black trim, and features a repeated Celtic knot design on the shoulders, sleeves and sides. The knot, symbolising connection, unity and friendship, is also embossed on the front.

The back of the collar carries the club crest and the initials OITC, representing Ospreys in the Community, the club’s charitable foundation. White shorts with teal side bands and white socks with teal and black stripes finish the kit.

Both kits are made from Macron’s Eco Armevo fabric, with additional eco‑friendly inserts designed for durability, lightness and breathability.

Supporters can buy the new shirts and the full Ospreys apparel range at the Rugby Heaven store in Swansea’s Quadrant Shopping Centre, Macron Sports Hubs in Cwmbwrla and Neath, online at macron.com, and at a pop‑up shop at the Brewery Field during Saturday’s friendly against Exeter Chiefs.

[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]

#BreweryField #Macron #MacronSportsHub #newKit #Ospreys #OspreysInTheCommunity #Rugby #RugbyHeaven #StHelensStadium

City centre activities and events aim to cut risk of anti-social behaviour

A varied programme of events designed to engage young people and reduce anti-social behaviour in Swansea’s city centre will run throughout the school summer holidays.

Drop-in rugby sessions, social gatherings, barbecues, a police community day and an inter-generational music festival in St David’s Square are among the activities planned. The programme expands on last year’s City Chill initiative, which contributed to a significant drop in anti-social behaviour across the city centre and marina area during the summer break.

A key part of this year’s programme is the continuation of Tackle After Dark, a weekly evening session run by Ospreys in the Community, in partnership with South Wales Police and Swansea Council. Held at the Collaboration Station in the former Cranes Music store, the initiative has attracted around 30 young people each week since April.

Inspector Andrew Hedley said the programme is already making a difference. “We are pleased to support the ongoing partnership initiative with Swansea Council and Ospreys in the Community and have already seen the benefits of increased interaction between officers and those in attendance,” he said. “This is just one example of the significant engagement work ongoing over the summer which aims to provide young people with a safe environment and positive things to do, to reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour being committed.”

Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, said the Collaboration Station will be a hub of activity this summer. “Some people are often too quick to criticise young people today but they have come up with some great ideas and have shown energy and positivity as we have worked with partners to plan a summer of activities,” she said. “The offering at the Collaboration Station is in addition to hundreds of free and low cost activities for young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea as part of our #HereForYouThisSummer campaign”.

Tom Sloane, head of community foundation at Ospreys in the Community, said the initiative is helping to build trust and promote respect. “Through initiatives like Tackle After Dark, we’re not only creating a safe and welcoming space for young people to connect and grow, but also showing how sport can play a powerful role in building trust, breaking down barriers, and promoting respect,” he said. “The engagement and enthusiasm we’ve seen week after week proves there’s a real appetite for opportunities that are inclusive, supportive, and community-driven.”

#antisocialBehaviour #CityChill #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CollaborationStation #HereForYouThisSummer #OspreysInTheCommunity #SouthWalesPolice #StDavidSSquare #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #TackleAfterDark

Swansea children’s charity team up with Traitors star and Ospreys players for kids mental health sessions

The rugby and Traitors stars helped Ospreys in the Community celebrate their Bouncing Back Plus partnership with Action for Children with a huge event at the Swansea.com Stadium in Swansea. 

Over 550 primary school children joined the celebrations and were treated to rugby sessions, physical exercise and games as well as mental health workshops. 

Volunteers from Action for Children, EE, Ospreys in the Community, Wales Hockey and students from Gower College all gave up their time to deliver a memorable day for the children with Traitors star, Andrew Jenkins, giving talks on improving mental health. 

Ospreys stars Luke Scully, Connor Moyse and Rhys Henry were also on hand to take part in interviews with the children in the stadium press room.

The charity teamed up with the rugby region’s community arm, supported by the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership, 4 years ago to deliver a combination of classroom-based Cognitive and Dialectical behavioural therapy (CBT and DBT) techniques and physical exercises such as touch rugby on the playground.

Bouncing Back Plus started in September 2021 and the partnership has delivered the programme in 73 schools to 3575 across the Ospreys region.  Of those who took part, 97% indicated an increase in their level of confidence following the programme, 97% indicated an increase in their ability to cope in stressful situations while 97% now know who to ask for help as a result of Bouncing Back Plus.

Omowunmi and Praise from Sea View Community Primary School in Swansea have taken the Bouncing Back Plus programme in the last year and were at the celebration. 

Omowunmi said: ‘It’s been really helpful because I can help other people and myself when I feel a bit stressed or panicked.  The best thing was the finger breathing, hot chocolate breathing and the Mexican wave, they were all really fun.  I would like to see other children do this a lot, as it really helped me.’ 

Praise added: “In my everyday life, I use Bouncing Back most of the time because sometimes I feel like I’m not good at things and I get annoyed or angry so the hot chocolate breathing calms me down.  We also learned about endorphins, so it’s really helped me in the way I think about the things I do.  I really want other children to join in as it’s really helped me, and it will help other children too.”

Christina Williams manages the Bouncing Back Plus programme for Action for Children in the region and said: “We are exceptionally proud of our Bouncing Back Plus partnership with Ospreys in the Community and it’s been brilliant celebrating with over 550 children who’ve benefitted from the programme.  We’ve been running Bouncing Back Plus for nearly four years and the results here have been amazing.  The importance of early intervention on the mental health of young people cannot be overstated so getting everyone together for a day of fun activities has been wonderful.

“The children have been able to interview professional rugby players, Luke Scully, Connor Moyse and Rhys Henry, asking them questions in the press room about the impact physical activity has on their mental health and the struggles and pressures they face alongside doing what they love. Additionally, the young people had a Q&A session with Andrew Jenkins from the BBC hit show, The Traitors. They discussed emotional resilience and the pressures of being a celebrity. Giving the children these opportunities to explore the stadium whilst looking after their emotional wellbeing is invaluable.”

Tom Sloane, Head of Community at Ospreys in the Community, said: “To see over 550 children having a great day out at our stadium was fantastic.  We know the positive benefits Bouncing Back Plus has on our children and with all the challenges social media brings as well as the current challenging economic conditions, that’s been absolutely critical.  They’ll have had an experience like no other, seeing behind the scenes, the changing rooms and having so much fun with all the staff from Ospreys in the Community, EE, Action for Children, Wales Hockey and Gower College that I hope it inspires them for years to come.”

(Lead image: Action for Children)

#ActionForChildren #AndrewJenkins #Baglan #BouncingBackPlus #Mayhill #mentalHealth #Ospreys #OspreysInTheCommunity #SeaViewPrimary #TheTraitors #YsgolBaeBaglan