At Swansea Bay Construction Support Group (SBCSG), we are proud to support our community through partnerships with local organisations and by creating apprenticeship opportunities for young people entering the construction industry. Through our strong partnerships with Ospreys Rugby Academy and Cyfle Building Skills, we help develop dual career pathways that allow academy players to gain valuable skills and qualifications – supporting life beyond professional rugby or providing a secure pathway alongside their playing careers.
One such success story is Elis Cox, who is currently completing a technical apprenticeship, as a Quantity Surveyor with MSG Labour & Plant Ltd – a specialist Groundworks company based in South Wales.
Elis has played rugby since the age of four and joined the Ospreys Rugby Academy at 16. Now 17, he remains part of the academy but is currently recovering from shoulder surgery undertaken in September, which has prevented him from playing since August. While the injury was challenging, it also prompted a shift in perspective.
“Not being able to play rugby for a long period was tough, especially missing important games and development time. It made me realise how quickly things can change in professional sport. Injuries can happen at any time, and I couldn’t rely on rugby alone as a long-term career. That’s when I decided I needed something alongside it,” Elis said.
Elis first learned about the apprenticeship opportunity through the academy’s Player Development Pathway Manager, Gareth Walters, who explained the academy’s partnership with us at SBCSG and Cyfle Building Skills. He then met with our Training Manager, Euros, who talked him through the programme and what the apprenticeship would involve.
Euros Griffiths, our Training Manager, said:
“Our partnership with Ospreys Rugby Academy brings together rugby and construction in a way that benefits everyone involved. It allows the academy to show players that other options are available beyond sport, while local businesses gain access to motivated, prepared apprentices. At SBCSG, it is our mission to support young people in our local community and bring opportunities to them. By coordinating closely, we can ensure players continue their rugby development while building practical skills and workplace experience, creating a clear pathway that supports their future.”
The Ospreys Rugby Academy and their staff actively encourage players to pursue a dual career alongside their rugby commitments. This approach helps players build transferable skills and prepare for long-term career opportunities beyond the game. Having experiences outside of rugby also supports a healthier balance, contributing positively to players’ well-being and mental health.
Gareth Walters, Player Development Pathway Manager at Ospreys, said:
“Our priority is developing players with the ability to transition into professional rugby, but we also have a responsibility to prepare them for the realities of the game. Very few careers are linear, and having access to an apprenticeship alongside rugby provides players with stability and perspective.
“The landscape has changed, and we’re now seeing more players choosing to move into apprenticeships after school or college. That’s why it was important to build strong relationships with a network of apprenticeship providers who truly understand the demands on our players – from training and playing programmes to national camps and tours – and can offer the flexibility needed to succeed in both rugby and a dual career.”
Since starting his technical apprenticeship placement with MSG Labour & Plant, Elis has had an extremely positive and valuable experience. “The first few months have been great. There’s been a lot of learning, and everyone has been welcoming and supportive. They’ve helped me settle in and given me the best chance to succeed,” Elis added.
A key strength of the placement has been the flexibility shown by MSG Labour & Plant Ltd in supporting Elis’s rugby and rehabilitation commitments. They understand when his rehab runs over and allow him to leave early for scans or treatment in Cardiff when necessary. This support has been particularly important to him, enabling him to continue both his recovery and his rugby alongside the apprenticeship.
Through the apprenticeship, Elis has developed a range of technical and professional skills, including using Excel, completing take-offs from drawings, assisting with valuations, and gaining an understanding of how a construction business operates and remains profitable.
Gemma O’Callaghan-McCreesh, Head of Operations at MSG Labour & Plant Ltd, said:
“Elis has shown focus and reliability from day one, approaching tasks with the same discipline he demonstrates in rugby. Over the past few months, he’s learned practical construction skills and quickly adapted to the way our business operates. Supporting his development has been incredibly rewarding, and partnerships like this also benefit local businesses by bringing in motivated young people who contribute to the local construction industry, while gaining real-life experience.”
Elis explained that the apprenticeship has given him a greater sense of security about his future. As long as he completes his college qualification, he knows he will have this experience and training to fall back on, regardless of how his rugby career develops.
Elis now actively encourages his teammates to consider similar opportunities. “I’ve recommended this to other players in a similar position to me. I’m really proud of my decision – it’s rewarding, gives you valuable experience, and still allows you to prioritise your rugby.”
Elis’s success demonstrates the practical value of partnerships between us at SBCSG, Cyfle Building Skills, Ospreys Rugby Academy, and local construction businesses such as MSG Labour & Plant Ltd. By working together, we are creating realistic, flexible pathways that support young people – particularly academy players – to gain industry-relevant skills and recognised qualifications, while also providing local employers with motivated, committed apprentices who contribute to the long-term strength of the construction workforce.