Prior to the Christmas holidays an exciting new venture emerged at Neath Port Talbot College in association with the WRU, Ospreys, Neath Port Talbot Council, Dragon Sport and Welsh Football Trust.
The purpose of the programme was to improve the physical literacy of children within Neath Port Talbot and create a sustainable link with their local community club.
The programme also supported the pupil’s transition to Secondary School by providing them with opportunities to play sport in a fun, safe and enjoyable environment.
Over 200 children had the opportunity to utilise the best college sporting facilities in Wales at Neath Port Talbot’s Llandarcy Academy of Sport Campus, whilst also providing the college with the opportunity to create a sustainable link with their sporting community.
The Students at Neath College helped deliver the 4 week programme aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, whilst being supported by the Ospreys, WRU and Active Young People Coordinators from Neath Port Talbot Council. This approach helped establish a newly formed joint venture between all the local primary sports development partners.
The following schools took part in the development and participation programme:
Coed Ffranc Primary
Cilfriw Primary
YGG Blaendulais
Tonmawr Primary
Central Juniors Port Talbot
Blaenhonddan Primary
Creunnant Primary
Catwg Primary
Cwmneed Primary
YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen
Crymlyn Primary
The schools benefited from the experience with all schools giving really positive feedback of their experiences at the events. The schools really liked the idea of mixed participation and mixed ability groups.
Mark Napieralla AYP Co-Ordinator said:
“The feedback from schools has been fantastic, the look on children’s faces when entering the barn and seeing where the Ospreys train and the artificial grass (3G) for the first time was priceless. The college students offered real development support for the children by organising warm-up games, coaching small groups and making the experience positive for the pupils. Many of the students are on placement with us from their foundation degree and were able to lead the last session on their own confidently; they have really impressed our department.”
The project is now moving onto a focus of kicking skills, control and agility, where a variety of different sports can be delivered through the Dragon Sport MultiSkills resource. Mickey Miles Welsh Football Trust Club Development Officer for West Wales is currently working with 24 students of NPTC in the completion of a Football Leaders Award. These students will then help plan, deliver and implement the second stage of the NPT Primary School Programme.
The long-term aim of the project is for all the stakeholders to work together to create a yearly programme of activities for Primary School children in Neath Port Talbot. This will encourage increased sporting participation by all children within the community while establishing the next generation of coaches to support their development.
Andrew Thomas WRU/Ospreys Development Officer for Neath Port Talbot, said:
“This programme provides the children of Neath Port Talbot with an annual programme of sporting activities that encourages their increased participation in community sport whilst experiencing the world class facilities on offer at Neath Port Talbot College resulting in future sustainable benefits for community clubs”.