RUGBY clubs across Gwent are being given the chance to pass on vital lifesaving skills to youngsters after St John Cymru Wales made its Young Lifesavers courses free to download.

Qualified first aid volunteers can use the resources to inform youngsters through a scheme, which is part of the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) drive to provide emergency first aid education to club volunteers. It allows anyone between seven and 16 years old to achieve the Young Lifesaver Sport award.

Even if they are not involved in sport, the scheme is also available to all schools and youth organisations throughout Gwent.

Jon Phillips, St John Cymru Wales’ director of training, said: “By making this course available for free we are aiming, with the support of the WRU, to get a new generation of young first aiders trained up so they can be on hand, if needed, at rugby matches across the nation.

“As well as achieving first aid skills, the scheme allows young people to gain numerous personal skills, such as the ability to be assertive, to make decisions, to work independently and co-operatively, while increasing their self-confidence. Above all, however, the Young Lifesaver Scheme is about having fun.”

Roger Lewis, WRU group chief executive, said: "St John and Welsh rugby go hand in hand and youngsters are the lifeblood of our rugby clubs, so it is vital we ensure their sustainability by helping to train our volunteers of the future.

“With more than 2,000 adult volunteers having received St John Cymru Wales first aid training, it’s fantastic that we are able to develop life skills in young club members and that this will be led by club volunteers themselves.

"We all know how important first aid can be in so many aspects of our lives, especially sport, so we are delighted to be helping provide knowledge which can prove to be of such great practical help.

"This is an exciting project which builds on the strong foundations of our developing partnership with St John Cymru Wales. This scheme links rugby and first aid in a way which we hope will attract as many young people as possible to take part.”

The course is split into modules to make it easier to teach and can be taught in just eight hours. Each module contains easy-to-follow lesson plans, a subject-specific factsheet and PowerPoint presentation. There are also worksheets, scenario cards, case studies and videos.

All materials for the course are available to download at www.stjohnwales.org.uk/yls or by contacting Bernadette Davies on 02920 449622 or bernadette@stjohnwales.org.uk.