Caerau in a Street clean up of rugby league title; STREET RUGBY.

THE first of four Street Rugby League competitions recently took place in Bridgend with four teams from the local community competing.

Caerau (Maesteg) won the inaugural event that was held at the South Wales Police ground in Bridgend.

Street Rugby League is a joint initiative between Safer Bridgend, South Wales Police and the Crusaders, and provides youngsters with an opportunity to be coached by the Crusaders along with Police Community Support Officers.

All the Street Rugby League training and games are being held in open community spots such as local parks and playing fields, making it more accessible for youngsters to get involved in playing sport and keeping fit.

Street Rugby League uses the basics of the regular game but with slightly adapted rules to suit the conditions.

Safer Bridgend Admin Assistant Hannah Richards said: "It's a 16-week programme and we've got young people from Sarn, Caerau, Wildmill and Nant-y-Moel taking part.

"We've been running the programme since the middle of August and this is the first festival of four.

"The goal for us has been to reduce anti-social behaviour and to get children involved in physical activity.

"This festival has been fantastic, with good engagement from the kids, as they've been working really well with Matt Pritchard from the Crusaders, who coaches them. There were almost 100 people taking part. It's a great occasion.

"I'd like to thank Youth Works, BCBC Youth Service and Nathaniel's Car Sales for donating their mini buses, South Wales Police for use of the land and lighting at Waterton and all staff and volunteers involved."

Conway Hawkins, the anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for Safer Bridgend, also attended the festival and was impressed with what he saw. "There are kids out here that people said we could never engage with," he said.