Dragon Sport is a roaring success in uniting youngsters

A special needs school in Penarth is at the heart of a unique project that is bringing local youngsters together through sport.

Eight pupils from Ysgol Erw’r Delyn have completed a Dragon Sport course, which has taught them skills which can be transferred to real life situations, and they are now set to pass on what they have learned to younger children at the school.

Dragon Sport is a Sports Council for Wales initiative funded by the National Lottery which recruits and trains volunteers to offer seven to 11-year-olds fun and enjoyable sporting opportunities. The scheme has also captured the imagination of pupils at Stanwell School and St Cyres Comprehensive, with sixth formers from both schools having undertaken Dragon Sport training which could soon see them providing sports sessions at Ysgol Erw’r Delyn.

The courses were organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s sports and play development team, and the council’s rugby development officer Matt Silva explained: “I’ve been delivering rugby-related sessions at Ysgol Erw’r Delyn for a few years and wanted to do something extra that would give pupils as many new experiences as possible. They responded tremendously well to the eight-week course which used sport to teach them about size, space, time and skill as well as the values of fair play.

“Exercises such as wheelchair slalom runs and tennis have shown the pupils how to make challenges easier or harder. For example, tennis becomes harder when a smaller ball is used and when it is thrown from further away. I’m now looking forward to seeing the group use this knowledge by helping younger pupils at the school in physical education sessions.”

Matt added: “I am extremely proud of all the pupils involved in this project, which I understand is unique in the Vale of Glamorgan. I would also like to thank all the staff at Ysgol Erw’r Delyn for their positive approach to what we are trying to achieve, especially Karen Coyle-Pucella.”

A number of sixth formers at the two nearby secondary schools are keen to put their newly-acquired Dragon Sport skills into practice by volunteering to go into Ysgol Erw’r Delyn to deliver sports sessions.

It is a situation that delights the school’s Acting Head Teacher Linda Gyton, who said: “We are extremely keen to form links with other schools as our pupils gain so much from interacting with other young people both socially and through sport. Dragon Sport has brought wonderful opportunities to our school and long may it continue.”

You can find out more about Dragon Sport in the Vale of Glamorgan by calling Dragon Sport Assistant Pete Hardwick on 01446 704820 or by going online at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/dragonsports.

Group photo caption: Five of the eight pupils who have completed a Dragon Sport course at Ysgol Erw’r Delyn are joined by the Vale Council’s Dragon Sport Assistant Pete Hardwick, Rugby Development Officer Matt Silva, teacher Karen Coyle-Pucella and learning support assistant Sharon Knight.