They make up nearly half of the Welsh rugby squad for the Six Nations Championship and now the Ospreys are passing on tricks of the trade to the younger generation.
Community coaches from the region are overseeing non-contact rugby courses for children aged five to seven at leisure centres throughout the city.
The courses are being run in partnership with Swansea Council. They allow children to be introduced to the sport in a safe environment and with expert tuition.
Many of the 10-week courses have already just started but places are still available and people who sign their children up now will only be charged for future sessions.
Each youngster taking part gets a certificate of attendance on completion of the course and is signposted to a local rugby team they can join when they turn six.
Ospreys and Wales lock Ian Gough was among the star players to hand out certificates to the children at the end of the last batch of courses.
Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “This partnership with the Ospreys has been very successful since its inception. The scheme means children can be safely introduced to rugby by expert coaches with the chance to meet some of their heroes.
“This is the age that many of the current Ospreys started to learn their skills. The next Shane Williams or James Hook could be among the children taking part in these courses.”
The courses take place in the following leisure centres on the following days:
- Penlan on Mondays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm (01792 588079)
- Pentrehafod on Mondays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm (01792 650484)
- Bishopston (Intermediate Course) on Tuesdays from 4.15pm to 5.15pm (01792 235040)
- Bishopston (Beginners Course) on Wednesdays from 4.45pm to 5.45pm (01792 235040)
- Morriston on Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm (01792 797082)
- Cefn Hengoed on Thursdays from 5pm to 6pm (01792 798484)
- Penyrheol on Thursdays from 5pm to 6pm (01792 588079).
The cost for the full 10-week course is £30 or £22.50 under the Passport to Leisure scheme.
Have a look at www.activeswansea.com for more information.
