Pontypridd RFC continues to throw its weight behind Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s town centre regeneration project by inviting local school children to act as mascots for their home game.

On Saturday the Sardis Road team will face a cup clash with Carmarthen Quins at Pontypridd’s home turf and will be welcomed to the pitch by children from the nearby school.

Pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James will provide the welcome line-up as the two teams enter the pitch.

In preparation for the game, brothers Jake and Adam Thomas welcomed pupils on a guided tour of the ground and were able to share stories of their SWALEC Cup-winning season. The children were fascinated by a history of the club and learnt more about many of the players who have aspired to international honours.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Safer Communities Cllr Paul Cannon said: “For over a century Pontypridd RFC has been one of the great institutions in the town we know how much this event means to the children of the neighbouring school. They feel incredibly proud to have been invited to undertake the important role ahead and I’m sure they will have a marvelous time.

“We entered into our partnership with the club because it offers the regeneration project for Pontypridd a high profile, both at their various games, many of which are televised, and the popular websites offered by the Club and Council which have over a hundred thousand regular users combined.

“We want to spread the excellent news of our regeneration package for Pontypridd to an even wider audience and encourage them to visit this rapidly improving town centre.”

The invitation for children to act as mascots at Saturday’s game also came following the close collaboration between the club and school that has developed from a school parking initiative supported by Pontypridd RFC and instigated by the Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration Project. The club has been fully behind the regeneration project and helped to ‘Kick off’ the refurbishment works being undertaken in the town centre by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s contractor Costain.

The £10.5million Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration project is taking place following the Council securing financial support from the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund and Targeted Match Funding, alongside Council and private sector contributions.