29.03.2006
ANGLESEY CHILDREN GET TASTE OF COMMONWEALTH ACTION
WHILE 10,000 miles away the worlds top athletes battled for gold at the Commonwealth Games, Anglesey held its own tribute sports days to celebrate the event.

At leisure centres in LJangefni and Amlwch, Dragon Sport divided children into mixed teams from ten island primary schools (five at each centre), and spent a whole day competing as various commonwealth countries. The teams represented nations like Bermuda and Trinidad, though it was the Maltese and Jamaican teams who took gold at the island venues.

Dragon Sports, run by the Sports Council for Wales, gave primary schoolchildren across Wales the opportunity to get a taste of the commonwealth action. On Anglesey, youngsters played netball, hockey, rugby and athletics, with aspiring athletes stepping into the shoes of their favourite athletes for the day.

Anglesey Dragon Sport organiser Helena Burrows says the day was a real success.
She said: Mixing the schools up in teams representing countries worked really well, with the children making new friends, which is very much in with the philosophy of the Commonwealth Games.

We wanted to use these mini-games to raise the profile of the Commonwealth Games as a whole through Dragon Sports, and I think it really worked, the children really enjoyed themselves.

Sports Minister Alun Pugh applauded the initiative. He said: Our sports stars have the power to inspire and enthuse young people, and while only a select few can achieve the standards set by our elite, everyone can enjoy sport and the benefits it brings.

On Anglesey a total of 52 schools have already taken part in Dragon Sport sessions since the programme was launched in October 2000.

Any children who attend primary school and want to find out more about Dragon Sport in their area, can contact Helena Burrows on (01248) 752037 or check out
www.dragon-sport.co.uk

Youths at secondary school or older who would like to find out more about opportunities in the area, can contact the local sport development department on (01248) 752037.