Hockey 'taster' day is a big hit with everyone involved (From Barry And District News)

Hockey 'taster' day is a big hit with everyone involved

BARRY College and Dragon Sport organised a Hockey Festival for primary school pupils in the area.

The event was attended by more than 70 children from local primary schools, including Sully, Wenvoe, Pendoylan, Westbourne and St Helen's. They were coached by Barry College sports students.

Andrea Williams, sports lecturer at Barry College, organised the day and was pleased with its success.

She said: "The day has been a great opportunity for the pupils to improve their skills and mix with youngsters from other schools.

"Some of them had never played hockey before, so it's great to get them involved.

"The students from Barry College have been doing an excellent job coaching the pupils for the day."

Chris Marriott is the hockey development officer for the Vale of Glamorgan and helped organise the event through Dragon Sport.

Dragon Sport is a Sports Council for Wales initiative, funded by the National Lottery, which offers seven-to-11-year-olds fun and enjoyable sporting opportunities.

Chris said: "This day has been great as we've been able to get involved with schools we've not worked with before. This has been a fun taster day to get the schools and pupils interested. They've had training and small matches and hopefully they'll want to continue to play."

Anne Davis teaches Year 3 students in St Helen's Primary School and runs an after-school hockey club.

"It's been a brilliant day," she said.

"The children have developed and learned new skills that we can use in school and in the club."

The Barry College students who ran the event were all second year students studying BTEC National Diploma in Sport and the Diploma in Health and Fitness.

Jonathan Aynge, aged 18, from Barry, who studies the Diploma in Health and Fitness, kept the pupils busy.

"They've all been very well behaved," he said.