How Gray Dawes Sport supported Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales with a memorable trip to Spain
Welsh Sports Association member Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales recently took advantage of the WSA’s partnership with travel specialists Gray Dawes Sports as a group of young people flew to Spain for an unforgettable international experience.
Designed to make a crucial, lasting impact for BGC Wales’ U17 and U18 rugby teams, the Taith-funded trip focused on youth development through sport and cultural exchange.
For many of the young participants, it was their first time travelling to a foreign country, their first taste of international competition, and a unique opportunity to build lifelong friendships and intercultural understanding. It was undeniably an experience that allowed them to build confidence, respect, and resilience.
“This wasn’t just a rugby trip. It was a life-changing experience—an opportunity for young people to learn from another culture, build friendships across borders, and grow in confidence and character,” stated BGC Wales CEO, Grant Poiner. “For many, it was their first time representing themselves and their country abroad.”
Collaborating with new rugby partners in Valencia, the U17 and U18 players competed in activities and fixtures designed to challenge them physically, emotionally and strategically in unfamiliar conditions.
The maturity, teamwork, and respect they demonstrated showed why international opportunities like this are so valuable for personal growth. As a result of this trip’s success, BGC Wales are now looking forward to welcoming their Valencia-based partners to Wales.
“Often, young people get unfairly criticised, particularly in the media,” Grant said, “but every single participant on this trip was a credit to themselves, their team, and their community.
“They reminded me of the power of youth work and why these experiences matter.”
Meanwhile, a BGC Wales statement read:
“We’re incredibly proud of every young person who took part. They were fantastic ambassadors, not only for our organisation, but for their communities and for Wales.”
The role of Gray Dawes Sports
This trip was supported by Gray Dawes Sports, the WSA’s official travel partner.
“The trip fell over a bank holiday weekend, of course,” Grant explained, “which made booking especially challenging due to limited flight availability.
“Through our WSA membership, we decided to try Gray Dawes and we were absolutely delighted with how supportive and efficient they were in securing flights for our group of 50.
“Their expertise not only saved us a great deal of time but also took the stress out of managing such a large and complex booking.
“We would absolutely recommend Gray Dawes to others,” concluded Grant. “They made the whole process so much easier!”
Learn more about Gray Dawes Travel here!
English