Over 300 primary school children have attended a special football festival.
The event took place at the University Playing Fields in Llanrumney and was organised by Sport.Cardiff. It was an end of season celebration for the schools that have been involved in the Cardiff Primary School Football Programme.
Awards were presented for best school, coach of the year and for outstanding individuals.
More than 70 schools across the city participate in the football programme which has now been running for eight years and is the biggest football programme in the country.
Each school receives coaching throughout the duration of the academic year either during dinner time or after school.
The sessions are delivered by Sport.Cardiff coaches as well as teachers and parents who have volunteered their time. Each volunteer has attended a Football Leaders Award or Dragon Sport leaders training funded by the National Lottery and delivered by Sport.Cardiff.
Dragon Sport is designed to offer 5 to 11 year olds fun and enjoyable sporting opportunities and liaises closely with schools and community sports clubs to encourage children to become involved in a variety of organised activities.
The scheme intends to broaden the sporting interests of children who already take part in sport and to involve children who currently lack such opportunities outside of their school PE lessons and introduces children to coaching, skill development and appropriate competition using versions of the adult game, modified to meet their needs and skills levels.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Cardiff offers primary school children excellent sporting provision and opportunities and we are proud to have one of the best sports development teams in the UK.
“The football festival was a huge success and saw hundreds of children from across the city come together and share their passion and enjoyment for sport.
“The Sport.Cardiff primary school programme has had a dramatic impact on sports participation and the huge attendance and involvement at this event demonstrates how beneficial and well it has been received by the city’s young people.”
Photograph: (from back left to right) Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, Chief Officer of City Management, Martin Hamilton and Neil Emberton from Sport Wales with children from Bryn Hafod Primary School, Llanrumney who won the school of the year award.
