Basketball brilliance was displayed at the first South East Wales Regional Finals Competition hosted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
Through the Council’s award-winning Services For Young People 5×60 officers, who ensure our younger generations have 60 minutes of exercise five times a week, the competition welcomed visitors from six different county boroughs.
More than 50 schoolboys competed in the exciting basketball event at Rhondda Fach Sports Centre in Tylorstown which welcomed teams from Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Cardiff, Caerphilly and the Vale of Glamorgan.
The competition was run by the Council’s 5×60 team, who work in a series of 12 clusters throughout the County Borough, in partnership with Sports Wales and Basketball Wales.
Throughout the day there was a high level of level of basketball displayed which was confirmed by Will Jones, President of Basketball Wales who said: “It was great to see so many Local Authorities supporting the event. It is also fantastic seeing so many young people playing basketball through the 5×60 programme, and the event was testament to the success of the scheme”.
The winners were:
Year 7 & 8 Boys:
* 1st Place – Cardiff – Cardiff High School
* 2nd Place – Rhondda Cynon Taf – Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
* 3rd Place – Vale of Glamorgan – St Richard Gwyn RCT HighSchool
Year 9 & 10 Boys:
* 1st Place – Bridgend – Porthcawl Comprehensive School
* 2nd Place – Caerphilly – Oak Comprehensive School
* 3rd Place – Rhondda Cynon Taf – Tonypandy Community College
* 4th Place – Blaenau Gwent – Glyncoed Comprehensive School
Leaders identified from within Rhondda Cynon Taf were trained to official level and were then deployed into 5×60 basketball competitions. Young Leaders from Ferndale and Porth County 5×60 crews played a vital role in the success of the event.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Cllr Eudine Hanagan said: “The competition was a big success, and it was great that so many young people are playing basketball and enjoying it, which proves how popular the sport is within the 5×60 programme throughout South East Wales.
“With continued investment in their award-winning Services For Young People, the aim of staff is to support individuals during the transition from childhood to adulthood, enabling them to explore opportunities to fulfill potentials and to empower them by providing opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and attitude to fully participate in the community in which they live.”
Service For Young People offers a wide range of activities, such as sport, food hygiene, first aid, drama, kayaking, computing, art and craft, trips and outdoor adventure. Any projects or activities that young people are interested in can usually be supported.
Due to the substantial investment by the Council, a fully integrated service is being delivered throughout the entire County Borough in 12 cluster areas. All of which are based around a secondary school and can respond directly to a young person’s need through key service areas.
For further information on Services for Young People in Rhondda Cynon Taf visit www.wicid.tv or call 01443 744000.
