AS the Six Nations championship concludes this weekend, Barry schools have new FairTrade rugby balls to use for practice, presented as part of FairTrade Fortnight.

Year seven students at Pencoedtre High School and Whitmore High School were presented with FairTrade rugby balls by Barry Town Council FairTrade committee chairman, Cllr Ian Johnson.

FairTrade is an international mark which shows that workers have been paid a fair wage for their products and stops exploitation of child labour.

The rugby balls are hand stitched by workers in India.

Cllr Ian Johnson said: “This year’s FairTrade Fortnight has been important in raising awareness of Fairtrade in Barry.

“It was good to speak to heads of local secondary schools about Fairtrade, and to hear from the young rugby players themselves how much they already know.

“Fairtrade Fortnight is a chance for us all to think about the ethical choices that we can make as individuals when doing our shopping – including fairtrade tea, coffee and bananas amongst others.

“Promoting active participation in sport and Fairtrade are both part of Barry Town Council’s commitment to the Wellbeing of Future Generations.”