THE WELSH Deaf rugby union team (WDRU) has been successful in achieving grant funding from the Gannett Foundation.

The team - based on Marconi Avenue in Penarth Marina - managed to secure £3,000, which they hope will be able to help them put on more sessions in schools.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Penarth Times' parent company and provides grant funding to local charities which benefit the community.

Gwynne Griffiths is the chairman of WDRU and he said it was a big boost for them.

Speaking at St Cyres School in a bid to encourage more young children with hearing difficulties to get involved with community sessions Mr Griffith said: "We want to encourage a 'no barriers' or 'dim rhwystrau' to sport approach. We want everyone to have the opportunity to become as good as they want to be.

"The main is to get more sessions going at schools so we can help young people to achieve whatever goals they want to."

Pupils from St Cyres first began having sessions with WDRU about three years ago when one of their coaches came in to lead a session involving touch rugby.

They also attended the Wales versus England deaf international at Cardiff Arms Park.

Welsh international Ryan Shallish who plays for Dinas Powys RFC was on hand to encourage students to get involved with rugby.

He said: "The social element and the confidence you get with rugby is great. I was quite shy when I first started but it's brought me out of my shell."

Mr Shallish also spoke of touring South Africa recently and visiting a school with over 200 students who have hearing problems.

He said it was important young people learned from people who understood their needs.

The St Cyres students said they were keen to see more sessions being run at their school and Mr Griffiths hopes the money will be able to make this happen.