All schools on Dragon Sport

06.06.2005

Dragon Sport in Caerphilly has reached a milestone this term, by successfully recruiting all 66 primary schools on board the scheme.

The Sports Council for Wales initiative, which was launched in 2000, has been extremely effective in helping 7-11yr olds access fun, sporting activities. Throughout Wales, the impact that Dragon Sport has had on increasing young people’s participation in Sport has been recognised by various partners and organisations, including the Welsh Assembly. The scheme aims to make sport fun and accessible for all abilities.

Hannah Mawson, Caerphilly CBC’s Dragon Sport Coordinator, agrees that ‘it is a huge achievement to have every primary and junior school in the Borough running extra curricular Dragon Sport sessions. All primary schools are offered to become a Dragon Sport school, and it is fantastic that each and every school has seen the benefits and taken advantage of the scheme’.

The last three primary schools to join were Fleur de Lys Primary, Maesycwmmer Primary and Glyn Gaer Primary. Each of the schools had staff trained to deliver Dragon Sport in their schools in February, and are now having great fun running their first Dragon Sport clubs. There are 7 sports for schools and clubs to choose from. Fleur de Lys are currently running a Dragon Sport hockey afterschool club. The equipment is provided free to the schools, and other benefits include free next step coaching qualifications. Lisa Morgan, a teacher in Fleur de Lys Primary, has taken advantage of this funding, by attending a Hockey Leaders Course to help her develop her coaching skills and understanding of the game. On a recent visit to the school, Mrs Morgan expressed her delight at becoming a Dragon Sport school. ‘We are extremely happy to be part of Dragon Sport. The equipment is fantastic and the children are really enjoying the sessions and are turning up week after week’. Following the success of their hockey club, Mrs Morgan is already thinking about a second Dragon Sport Club for the autumn term.

To celebrate 100% affiliation in the Borough, we are looking to have a number of events running in early May, including various Dragon Sport Fun festivals. It is hoped that many of the schools will be able to bring along a group of pupils to take part in a range of sports, with the emphasis on enjoyment and fair play, rather than winning, which is the ethos behind Dragon Sport.

‘The success of Dragon Sport so far has been huge. I really hope it continues to impact on Caerphilly Borough, and Welsh sport into the future’.