Coleg Llandrillo welcomes 350 children for Urdd football tournaments

Coleg Llandrillo hosted two Urdd football tournaments enjoyed by more than 350 primary school children.

The Urdd Conwy Year 5 and 6 girls competition saw 21 teams from 18 schools across the county compete on the 3G pitch at the Rhos-on-Sea campus.

A Year 3 and 4 tournament also took place on the same day, involving 13 mixed girls’ and boys’ teams from 11 schools.

Both tournaments were won by Ysgol Awel y Mynydd of Llandudno Junction, with Colwyn Bay’s Ysgol Bod Alaw the runners-up each time.

The winning teams from Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, as well as Ysgol Bod Alaw’s girls’ team, will go on to represent Conwy in the national finals at the Urdd Primary Schools Festival in Aberystwyth on May 10 and 11 next year.

The tournaments, organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, were a chance for all involved to enjoy their football while developing their Welsh-language skills, whatever their level of fluency.

Games were officiated by students on the college’s Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science and Level 2 Sport courses, with the Urdd having funded the FA of Wales refereeing course for them prior to the tournament.

The learners were also involved in timekeeping and organising as they gained valuable volunteering hours towards their Higher Sports Leaders, Community Sports Leaders and Welsh Baccalaureate Awards.

Bethan James, a first-year Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science student, said: “It’s been really fun getting to know everyone and organising the teams. It’s nice to see how enthusiastic the children are about playing.

“I’ve also done rugby refereeing as part of my course and I’ve signed up for netball refereeing later this year, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Nia Rowlands, a teacher at Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, said: “We attend this every year - the tournament is always really well organised, it’s inclusive and it’s great fun for the kids.

“It’s brilliant to see so many girls and boys getting involved, and we’re chuffed to have won both tournaments. They’re looking forward to competing in Aberystwyth.”

Amy Thomson, programme area manager for Sport and Public Services at Coleg Llandrillo, said: “Once again, it has been a pleasure to host the Conwy Primary Girls' Urdd football competition here at Coleg Llandrillo.

“It has been great to see so many girls from the county participating in football whilst also providing our Level 2 and Level 3 learners with the opportunity to develop their leadership and Welsh-language skills as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate, Higher Sports Leaders and Community Sports Leaders Awards.

“Our sport students demonstrated exceptional performance in the tournament. Their involvement in refereeing, timekeeping and organising not only enhanced their confidence and communication skills but also provided an opportunity to serve as positive role models for younger participants.

“This collaboration with Urdd Gobaith Cymru offers an ideal environment to promote bilingualism within the Sports and Public Services department, which remains one of our key priorities.

“We wish Ysgol Awel y Mynydd and Ysgol Bod Alaw all the best in the national finals.”

Guto Williams, Welsh-language facilitator at Coleg Llandrillo, said: “It’s another fantastic day for the students gaining valuable volunteering experience through the medium of Welsh, and it’s brilliant to see so many Year 5 and 6 girls and also the younger children enjoying their football.

“Women’s football has developed so much recently, and we’re proud to be able to offer girls from local schools the chance to play in this tournament. It’s also fantastic for the Year 3 and 4 children to be able to experience a tournament like this on our 3G pitches, watched by their parents and teachers amid a great atmosphere.”

Marc Thomas, North East Sports Events Officer for Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “As an organisation we are trying to ensure everyone is offered an opportunity to play. To hear so many children using the Welsh language throughout the day was a great feeling.

“A big thank you to all the school children, staff, parents, first-aiders and the college for a day full of fun. We look forward to working together with the college again in the near future and seeing the Welsh language flourish in the area.

“Good luck to Ysgol Awel y Mynydd and Ysgol Bod Alaw down in Aberystwyth, where they will compete against the other winners from throughout Wales. On we go to the next one!”

Coleg Llandrillo also hosted last month’s Urdd Conwy mixed primary school football tournament for Years 5 and 6, which was won by Ysgol Craig y Don of Llandudno.

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