Schools celebrate (From Barry And District News)

Schools celebrate

ELEVEN Vale of Glam-organ schools have celebrated achieving School Accreditation Scheme standards set by the Football Association of Wales Trust.

Run in partnership with the Trust and the Vale Council, the scheme is sponsored by McDonalds, and its main aim is to increase participation in football among boys and girls of primary school age.

The quality standards are to set up and run a girls' only club, to participate in at least ten football matches during the academic year and to have a nominated teacher to an FAW teachers' award or Football Leaders' Award.

Presenting certificates and kit bags were FAW Trust representative Neil Ward, Huw Thomas, of McDonalds Restaurants in Barry, Cllr Tony Hampton, Vale Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, and Paul Nanji, Vale Sports Development Manager.

Also present was Vale football development officer Ryland Morgans and assistants Damien Lack and Nathan Nurton.

Receiving a framed certificate to mark full accreditation were: Ysgol Sant Curig, St Helen's and Romilly juniors, and Holton primary, Barry; Evenlode primary, Penarth; St Andrew's Major (Dinas Powys) Church in Wales primary, St Athan primary and Rhws primary.

The other registered schools are: Ysgol Gwaun Y Nant, All Saints' Church in Wales, Gladstone, Oak Field, Cadoxton and Barry Island primary, Barry; Ysgol Gymraeg Pen y Garth and Albert and Cogan primary, Penarth; Y Bont Faen primary, Cowbridge; Pendoylan, Peterston-super-Ely Church in Wales primary, and Murch junior.

Although not yet reaching full accreditation, some schools are working towards achieving the quality standards by the end of the academic year, and kit bags were also presented to six eligible schools.

For more information on football in the Vale, contact Football Development Officer Ryland Morgans on 01446 704729.