22.07.2006
A BUMPER SUMMER for DRAGON SPORT in NEATH PORT TALBOT !

Numbers soared in the Dragon Sport Summer Fun programme that was held in 8 venues across the County Borough during the school holidays.  Hundreds of children had the opportunity to try their hand at athletics, football, tennis as well as many other sports.

Many children commented how much they enjoyed learning new skills and meeting new friends but wished the programme went on for longer in their area, as coaches only visited most venues for one week.

It was going to be difficult to follow the successes of last summer’s scheme, but children attended in their masses again, and for the first time the scheme was held for two weeks at Neath Sports Centre.  The children made full use of the athletics track and many showed an interest in joining community sports clubs.

We were able to secure funding from Norwich Union Startrack which enabled the children to experience some fun athletics activities from qualified and experienced coaches, and all children received a star track goody bag!

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Councillor Elwyn Jones also visited two of the Dragon Sport Summer Fun schemes, to get a taste for the fun and fair play with Draig. Both the Mayor and Mayoress spent time chatting to volunteers, coaches and children at Tonmawr 2000 and Cwmafan Junior School, and saw the children participating in a variety of fun packed games.
A big thank you to all of the schemes that hosted the Dragon Sport Summer Fun, and to Celtic Community Leisure who worked in partnership with Dragon Sport to deliver the scheme at Neath.

If you would like to become involved in Dragon Sport as a volunteer or participant (you need to be 7-11!), contact Kate Kingsley on 01639 875673 or ask your local primary school about after school clubs.

BACKGROUND

1. Norwich Union Startrack (run by UK Athletics) contributed funding to the programme.

2. The sports included in the Dragon Sport Summer Fun were Athletics, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Golf and Football.

3. Dragon Sport Summer Fun took place in the following towns and villages:  Ystalyfera, Briton Ferry, Blaengwynfi, Tonmawr, Cwmafan, Neath Sports Centre, Margam and Cymmer.

5. The pictures were taken on the final day at Neath Sports Centre, when the Mayor visited Cwmafan, and the cricket picture is of Morgan Williams at Neath Sports Centre.
Dragon Sport. Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club and Coleg Sir Gar joined forces to hold the event. Students from the college delivered a variety of fun Dragon golf activities to over 220 boys and girls from Llanelli primary schools.