The start of a new year always gets people thinking about what they want to achieve in the year ahead - and perhaps what they haven’t managed to achieve in years gone by.

Born and bred in Wales, I’ve often lamented that I should have learnt my mother tongue, but so often distractions and excuses have got in the way.

It was this thought - bolstered by the admissions of fellow sheepish colleagues - that got us thinking about how we could not only encourage ourselves, but also other people across Wales to give it a go. And as we started to search for inspiration from Welsh learners, we learned that they were doing just that. What better way to be rallied than to hear from those already doing it?

These were the seedling thoughts of the Share Your Welsh campaign which seeks to inspire, encourage and support Welsh learners throughout the month of January on BBC Radio Wales.

Throughout the day Huw Stephens and Dot Davies will share touching learner stories, pupils’ favourite words, the general public being quizzed (and knowing a lot more than they thought!) and looking into how we’re making sure that technology is not leaving the Welsh language behind. Our aim is to capture the determination and excitement that goes into keeping Welsh alive - and to also show just how easy it can be to get involved!

So whether you want to learn, are doing so or are in fact fluent already, ‘Share Your Welsh’ with someone this January and get one resolution started straightaway.

Learn Welsh in 2016 with Huw Stephens & Dot Davies on BBC Radio Wales, 4-31 January 2016.

Leighton Andrews AM, the Minister for Education and Skills, was among the guests at the formal launch at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon. He said: "I would like to congratulate the Ospreys and all the partners involved in developing this Schools Programme.

"As well as promoting the importance of physical activity and interpersonal and communication skills, this programme also places a very important emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy skills - two of my key priorities for schools in Wales."

The programme will consist of four classroom sessions with each session including a visit from WRU and Ospreys officials or community rugby coaches. There will also be one appearance at each school by Ospreys rugby players.

School children on the programme will also enjoy an interactive tour of the Ospreys’ home ground, the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, plus there will be a rugby festival day involving the participating schools to conclude the Ospreys Schools Programme.

Jason Lewis, the WRU National Rugby Development Manager, said: "Rugby is a part of school life in most schools in Wales. We recognise the enormous benefits rugby can have to the social and physical wellbeing of children in Wales. This programme demonstrates that rugby can also make a positive contribution to the academic achievement of young people."

Andrew Hore, the Ospreys Chief Operations Officer, added: "The programme aims to leave a lasting community legacy - helping improve not only rugby participation numbers but also numeracy and literacy, understanding healthy living, and how to look after the planet."

The Ospreys will work in collaboration with the Welsh Rugby Union for the schools programme, as well as their commercial partners RWE npower renewables and the Sony UK Technology Centre.

Related links

• BBC Wales Learning website
• ospreysrugby.com