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Cymraeg

Roberts backs Cardiff medics' bid for rugby cup glory

11 April 2011

Cardiff Blues, Wales and British Lions star Jamie Roberts is backing his fellow Cardiff medical students’ bid for rugby cup final glory.

On Saturday 16th April 2010 at 3.00pm Cardiff Medicals RFC will take on Nottingham Medics at Cardiff Arms Park in the culmination of the National Association of Medical Schools Rugby Union (NAMS) Cup.

Hundreds of spectators are expected to attend the game at Cardiff’s famous ground including current students and alumni from Cardiff University as well as the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

Jamie Roberts, a Cardiff medical student himself, said: "The NAMS final promises to be another exciting and hotly contested game and a must view not only for Cardiff medical students, their friends and families, but for Cardiff’s many rugby enthusiasts.

"Whilst I won’t be playing in the game myself, I’ll certainly be cheering and supporting the boys from the sidelines and urge as many local rugby fans to pop down to enjoy the game."

All profits from the final will go towards the Dr Jack Matthews Scholarship - a joint campaign between the University’s School of Medicine and Cardiff Medicals RFC to provide financial support for the medics of the future through scholarships, bursaries and prizes.

As well as a respected local GP, Dr Jack Matthews is perhaps best remembered for his 17 Tests for Wales and six for the British Lions on their 1950 tour of New Zealand and Australia. He was the team doctor for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa and played centre for Wales and Cardiff - forming one of the greatest midfield pairings Wales has ever had with Bleddyn Williams.

This year’s recipients of the Dr Jack Matthews scholarships will support local Cardiff projects and projects in some of the world’s most underdeveloped healthcare systems.

Jamie added: "Dr Jack Matthews is not only a legendary rugby figure but was a highly respected local GP. It’s only right that the Scholarships bear his name and help recognise his massive contribution to the game. As well as winning the NAMS final I hope we can help raise as much money as possible for this important fund."

The final takes place on Saturday 16th April at Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off at 3pm. Entrance is £5 on the gate.

-Ends-

Notes:

School of Medicine
Cardiff University’s School of Medicine is a significant contributor to healthcare in Wales, a major provider of professional staff for the National Health Service and an international centre of excellence for research, delivering substantial health benefits locally and internationally. The school’s 800 staff include 500 research and academic staff who teach more than 2,000 students, including 1,110 postgraduate students.

The School is based at the Heath Park Campus, a site it shares with the University Hospital of Wales, the third largest university hospital in the UK. The School has an all-Wales role, contributing greatly to promoting, enhancing and protecting the nation’s health.

A key partner in this role is the National Health Service (NHS) in Wales, with which the School is linked at all levels. This mutual dependency is illustrated by the teaching of medical undergraduates in more than 150 hospitals located in all of Wales’ health authorities. The medical curriculum followed at the School enables students to acquire and apply knowledge, skills, judgement and attitudes appropriate to delivering a high standard of professional care.

Around 300 new doctors currently graduate from the School every year and the Welsh Assembly Government has invested substantially in new teaching facilities to increase this number further

Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities and is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s most research intensive universities. Among its academic staff are two Nobel Laureates, including the winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine, Professor Sir Martin Evans.

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, today the University combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning.

Further information:

Chris Jones
Public Relations
Cardiff University
Tel: 029 20 874731
E-mail: jonesc83@cardiff.ac.uk