The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has unveiled its recently refurbished pathway gym at the National Centre of Excellence.

It’s hoped the move will help to aid efforts to nurture rugby talent across Wales, with the new gym set to offer support to men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ pathways.

The WRU believe this is the latest step in their bid to along with their One Wales strategy, which aims to create a consistent, high-performance environment for players of all ages.

The £259,000 project was officially opened by Minister of Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant, and has been supported by a £207,000 investment from Sport Wales through the Welsh Government’s Elite Performance Fund.

The facility will offer access to advanced technologies such as force plates and velocity-based training systems to better prevent injury, while also improving rehabilitation, and physical development.

The refurbishment is phase one of a number of upgrades to facilities at the National Centre of Excellence.

The second phase is due to open in the new year and will include a strength and conditioning hot and cold therapy suite and dedicated changing facilities for female athletes.

Sargeant said: “We’re delighted to award the Welsh Rugby Union a grant from our Elite Performance Fund. This investment is about giving Welsh athletes the tools they need to succeed on the world stage. The refurbished Pathway Gym shows our commitment to equality and excellence in sport, ensuring every player, male or female, has access to the very best facilities.”

WRU Director of Rugby & Elite Performance, Dave Reddin, added: “We’re hugely grateful to Sport Wales and Welsh Government for their support which has enabled us to make essential improvements to our facilities.

“The Pathway Gym is central to our ambition of developing and retaining world-class talent in Wales. By creating a modern, inclusive space that mirrors international best practice, we’re ensuring our players have every opportunity to progress from age-grade rugby to the highest level.”

CEO of Sport Wales, Brian Davies, said: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing Welsh athletes with the best possible environment to succeed. The refurbished Pathway Gym looks fantastic and will play a vital role in preparing players for the demands of elite rugby while supporting equity and growth across the women’s and girls’ game.”