Coleg Llandrillo hosts annual Urdd primary football tournament

Coleg Llandrillo hosted the annual Urdd Conwy open primary school football tournament, welcoming 30 teams and almost 400 children from across the county.

Year 5 and 6 pupils had the chance to develop their language skills while enjoying an inclusive football competition, with girls and boys competing in mixed seven-a-side teams.

The tournament, organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, was won by Ysgol Craig y Don, Llandudno, who beat Ysgol Bod Alaw of Colwyn Bay 4-0 in the final.

Ysgol Craig y Don will now compete in the national finals in Aberystwyth on May 10 and 11 next year.

Huw Llewelyn Jones, Year 5 and 6 teacher at Ysgol Craig y Don, said: “The tournament here today was superb - very well run, as always.

“The boys are absolutely thrilled to have won. We’ve been here before last year, and they’ve gone through the ringer with defeat, so it’s nice to be on the winning side. But their experience last year has also given them a sense of empathy towards the other team, so at the presentation they were cheering them on as well.”

He added: “It’s been great having the Coleg Llandrillo learners taking part as well. They’ve been punctual, they’ve been great with the rules, and they’ve been fun within the rules as well for the kids, which is great to see.”

The 30 teams from 25 different schools were split into six mini-leagues, meaning every team was guaranteed a set number of games. The six group winners plus two best runners-up then qualified for the knockout phase, consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

The tournament was also an opportunity for college staff and students to practise their use of Welsh, whatever their level of fluency.

Students from the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) were involved in refereeing, timekeeping and organising the teams, with the Urdd having paid for learners to take the FA of Wales refereeing course.

The 18 students are all members of the college’s football and rugby academies and play at the highest level of youth sport, so the tournament was an opportunity for them to experience sport from an organising and officiating perspective.

Among them was Ianto Price Jones, who is already a qualified referee and took charge of several games, including the final.

He said: “It was a very competitive and enjoyable day for all the kids, and a great experience for everyone involved.”

Guto Williams, Welsh Language Facilitator at Coleg Llandrillo, said: “Working in partnership with the Urdd, this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain practical experience, getting them work-ready and also developing their language skills.

“We have worked extremely hard over the past academic year to increase the use of Welsh in the sport department here at Coleg Llandrillo. It was wonderful to hear so much Welsh being spoken on the day, by the children and their teachers, and also by our staff and students.

“We have more Welsh-speaking and Welsh learners this year, and it is fantastic to see them using their skills.”

Amy Thomson, Programme Area Manager for Sport and Public Services, expressed her enthusiasm for the continued partnership with the Urdd, with a Year 3 and 4 mixed tournament and a Year 5 and 6 girls’ tournament still to come at the college on October 24.

She said: “Our sport students demonstrated exceptional performance in the tournament, particularly given they have only been studying with us for four weeks.

“Their involvement in refereeing not only enhanced their confidence and communication skills but also provided an opportunity to serve as positive role models for younger participants.

“Furthermore, this collaboration offers an ideal environment to promote bilingualism within the Sports and Public Services department, which remains one of our key priorities.

"We look forward to future events at Llandrillo, particularly the Conwy primary schools girls’ football tournament scheduled later this month."

Marc Thomas, North East Sports Events Officer for Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “It was great to welcome 30 teams and almost 400 children to the college for our Urdd Open Football competition.

“To have the day run through the Welsh language, and to hear so many children using the language so well, was a great feeling. I’m already looking forward to the next one at the college on October 24, when we will welcome Year 3 and 4 mixed teams, and Year 5 and 6 girls for their tournaments.

“A big thank you to all school children, staff, parents, first aiders and the college for a great day full of fun. Good luck to Ysgol Craig y Don down in Aberystwyth, where they will compete against the other winners throughout Wales. On we go to the next one!”

Coleg Llandrillo will host a Year 3 and 4 mixed tournament and a Year 5 and 6 girls’ tournament at the Rhos-on-Sea campus on October 24. Level 3 Sports Science year 1 students are currently planning the organisation of the event as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate and Community Sports Leaders Awards.

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