Grass Roots Heroes
We shine t he light on some special individuals, achievements and news from the rugby communit y
LLANEDEYRN’S LUCHIA LEARNS LYRICS FOR SPECIAL DAY OUT
Luchia Ellul-Alimikhena is a 13-year-old from the Llanedeyrn district of Cardiff. She’s not currently a Welsh speaker but is in the process of learning the national anthem, HenWladFy Nhadau, for a very special reason.
Twelve months ago, through a collaboration between Community Interest Company Be.Xcellence – whose aim is to raise representation of the Welsh language among ethnic minorities in Wales – and the Welsh Rugby Union, Luchia’s journey to learn the anthem began.
“Although I’m not a fluent Welsh speaker, I’m hugely proud of our language and culture and wanted to be able to join in with the incredible singing at the home of Welsh rugby one day,” she said. The WRU also arranged singing lessons with Wynne Evans, who you may know as Gio Compario!
Then the talented young singer received an invitation to sing HenWlad FyNhadau at the Principality Stadium before the women’s International between Wales and Italy on 27 April.
In preparation, Luchia was invited to meet members of the Welsh women’s team at their training base. Prop Carys Phillips, who has represented Wales 70 times, said: “I’ve sung the anthem at Principality Stadium twice – and there’s nothing like it. Enjoy the experience. It will be very special.”
Prop Donna Rose added: “Our anthem is so powerful. It always makes me really emotional. I’ll keep an eye out for you on the day, so we can sing our hearts out together.”
Luchia responded: “I’m so excited. I can’t believe I’ll be singing on the pitch. Our anthem is the best in the world and I’m so glad I’ve learned the words properly as I’m now even more passionate about our rugby, anthem, language and culture.”