Tata Steel UK Supports 10th Phil James Memorial Finals with Dragons RFC Community
Tata Steel UK was proud to support the Tata Steel – Phil James Memorial Finals alongside Dragons RFC Community, continuing a long-standing partnership focused on grassroots sport, youth development and community engagement across South Wales.
The event brought together schools, families and local communities to celebrate teamwork, participation and sporting achievement, with more than 500 pupils taking part throughout the tournament play-offs and grand finals.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Phil James Memorial Finals
Now in its 10th year, the Tata Steel – Phil James Memorial Finals have become an important fixture in the Healthy Dragons programme, giving young people the opportunity to experience competitive sport in a positive and memorable environment.
This year’s finals saw Ystrad Mynach Primary School face George Street Primary School in the Cup Final, while Raglan Primary School competed against Ysgol Bryn Onnen Primary School in the Shield Final.
The tournament involved more than 500 pupils from schools across the region through qualifying rounds and finals, showcasing the passion, teamwork and determination of all the teams involved.
Following two exciting matches, congratulations went to:
Cup Winners – Ystrad Mynach Primary School
Shield Winners – Ysgol Bryn Onnen Primary School
Representatives from Tata Steel UK joined the family of Phil James and Dragons players to support the teams and take part in the presentations after the finals.
Tata Steel UK and Dragons RFC Community Partnership
Tata Steel UK has partnered with Dragons RFC Community since 2012 through a range of community engagement initiatives and school holiday camps designed to support young people and strengthen local communities.
Supporting grassroots sport remains an important part of Tata Steel UK’s commitment to creating positive opportunities for young people across the regions where it operates.
Events such as the Tata Steel – Phil James Memorial Finals help encourage participation in sport while promoting confidence, inclusion, teamwork and community spirit.
A Tata Steel UK spokesperson said:
“We are proud to continue supporting the Tata Steel – Phil James Memorial Finals and our partnership with Dragons RFC Community. It is fantastic to see so many young people involved in grassroots sport and enjoying such a memorable experience. Congratulations to all the teams who took part in this year’s finals.”
Tata Steel UK would like to thank Dragons RFC Community, participating schools, teachers, coaches, parents and volunteers, as well as the family of Phil James, for helping make the event such a success.
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of a 3.2Mtpa Electric Arc Furnace, due to be commissioned late in 2027 / early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE. It also benefits from a network of sales offices around the world.
- Throughout 2024 Tata Steel UK has been undergoing a restructuring that will reduce the size of its workforce to around 5000 direct employees, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
- The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$26 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2025.
- Tata Steel has long played a key role in enabling the UK economy to become more circular. Its products are highly durable, reusable and recyclable, It applies a sustainability assessment tool during its new product development process to measure the sustainability credentials of its new offerings.
- More information about the crucial role that Tata Steel UK already plays in driving the UK to a more circular economy, and its plans to play an even greater role, can be found in its recently-published Sustainability Report covering 2023-2025.