Welsh Dragons - Last minute update!
Posted by Wales - 31/08/2009
With just 4 days to go until the Welsh Dragons fly out to Milan the team are experiencing nerves and excitement in equal measure! Before we go, we will provide here an update, including an amended squad update as there are a couple of players attending the tournament who have replaced some of the original line up due to unavoidable circumstances.
So.... The final squad for the Welsh Dragons 2009 are:
1. Gareth Jones - C (Bonesy) 2. Sean Williams (Sean the Sheep) 3. Billy Blanks (Billy Elliot) 4. Terry Fitzpatrick (Big Bear) 5. Chris Stockwell (Stocky) 6. Dai John (D.J) 7. Jason Moles (Molesy) 8. John Sutton (Sutton)
On Friday, there will be a send off for the team at The Swansea YMCA. Starting at 11.30am and finishing at 1.30pm, when those present will wave the team off as they make their way to Bristol airport to begin the journey of a lifetime!
In getting to the point of being able to attend the tournament there has been a lot of generosity from TAI TROTHWY who have been very generous with both time and money. Also, a local business man, CHRIS DENNIS who saw the plight of the Welsh team on BBC Sports Wales has raised funds for the team by competing in a triatholon and other such sporty activities!
The Welsh Assembly Government kindly paid for our flights through the Welsh Sports Association, and the FAW are donating a brand new kit for the team. There has also been some incredible support from NEIL WILKINSON and CYRENIANS, the Swansea Neath Port Talbot team at GOFAL CYMRU, PAUL WILLIAMSON from the Huggard, THE PHOENIX CENTRE, BBC SPORT WALES and of course the usual fantastic support (and patience) from Bernhard and the HWC team!
We have also had incredible input from JAN COLLARD and PAUL SCARFI who are attending as support workers for the boys. These two people are amazing at what they do and have the best interests of the players at heart whilst still maintaining an honest and loyal relationship with team management - a difficult but crucial balance required from a support worker that will help ensure the tour is a success for the team!
To all our supporters - THANK YOU!!!!!
This years team is by far the best prepared yet and they have gelled incredibly well. Win lose or draw one thing I am certain of is that they will do their best and do themselves, their loved ones and their country proud.
Ciao!
Comments
gandalf the grey 01/09/2009
Well Well my little Hobbits, its will soon be the beginning of an incredible journey for you all. Be brave, be strong, be 100% WELSH and last but not least behave. You were all chosen for this journey as individuals, but you have now become ONE, and a great team, with great team spirit, great support workers, and last but not least a GREAT Management Team, listen to them, and you will go far. Win loose or draw, you do so as a team, dont blame individuals for mistakes, encourage each other, play for each other, and play for WALES. I wish you all the very very best in Milan, relish the experience and enjoy it, it is a once in a lifetime experience. GO ON AND BRING THE CUP HOME TO WALES. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.
Tootie Frootie 01/09/2009
Haha! Gandalf is back - finally!!! Where have you beeeeen???? That's a mighty lovely message there - you hit the nail on the head! NEWSFLASH...... What would be a COMPLETE nightmare 3 days before the HWC??? How about the manager breaking his arm? How about he falls in garden on the rainy path and his elbow dislocates and moves up his arm on the inside???? How about he has to go to hospital and have lots of drugs and has LOTS of pain and then has to be in a cast from shoulder to fingers for 3 to 4 weeks???? How about he HURTS and can't drive or do most normal things coz he has only one arm????? YES........ THIS HAS HAPPENED!!!! NOT FUNNY! :(
gandalf the grey 02/09/2009
Well it could only happen to him, I wish him all the very very best in Milan, take the pain Ceri,take the boys to a great high, take the CUP and BRING IT ON HOME TO WALES. If you do not succeed I am afraid we shall have to give you the ELBOW. GOOD LUCK MATE, AND GET WELL SOON.
