Hi everyone, my name is Liam Rice-Wilson, some of you will already know me and I am pleased to introduce myself to anyone that doesn’t.

I am a rugby league player currently studying BSc Hons of Strength & Conditioning at the University of Gloucestershire, on a scholarship to play for the successful university 1st XIII  BUCS Premier South Champions 2017). I play at international level for Wales Students (hooker / half back) and was pivotal to our campaign in the Home Nations Tournament held in Edinburgh 2016, finishing as runners up.

Some of you may ask how I came to play for Wales, that was through my dear grandmother Meryl from Clydach Vale, in the Rhondda Valley.

This year I am in the Wales squad preparing for the Students Rugby League World Cup, hosted by Australia in Sydney, July 2017. Sadly, The Rugby Football League has confirmed that it is withdrawing £70,000 funding to Wales Rugby League for junior development. This means we students have to find our own funding to attend this prestigious, life changing event.

I have to contribute £3000 which is a challenge, you will understand that students already have overdrafts, student loans, no income, working on their dissertations and I am also fulfilling my training and playing commitments.

So far, my established sponsors (my family!) have donated £1000 of the £3000 target, they have supported me throughout my sporting and academic pathway, for which I am eternally grateful. This has been used as a deposit on my travel and accommodation. 

I now need a further £2000 to secure my attendance at the 2017 Rugby World Cup.

With the aid of my regular sponsors and your help,  I will be able to proudly represent Wales Rugby League through the Student Rugby World Cup.

In return for your sponsorship, I can share the wealth of my knowledge and experience that I am building in rugby training techniques, Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, playing and coaching (I am qualified at Rugby League level 2 and can referee). I can share this knowledge with sponsors by making myself available through my many forms of social media (where I have a substancial amount of followers), online for discussions, one to one coaching or team training sessions.

Thank you for taking the time to read and help me on my way to the Rugby World Cup.