18.05.2006
SPORTING SUCCESS SCORES JOHN AN AWARD

John Pritchards learning achievements have enabled him to make a major contribution to sport across Anglesey.

Already a long-serving volunteer with Amlwch Football Club, when the Dragon Sport initiative started in 2000, he immediately got involved - running sessions for both boys and girls and, more importantly, he persuaded several other parents to help out.

Amlwch Junior Football Club now has a team of volunteers thanks to Johns efforts. His track record of recruiting and supporting the club helpers showed that he had the natural skills required for mentoring other Dragon Sport volunteers, and when he gave up his own business he was recruited by the sports development unit to work as a mentor with parents starting up new Dragon Sports clubs.

As Johns confidence in this role increased he undertook training in other sports and now works with many parents and primary schools teaching and mentoring in football, athletics and tri golf.

He coaches with the local football academy and manages the Island Games Senior Girls Football team. John leads by example and has drawn two of his children, 22-year-old Laura and 18-year-old Griffith into coaching to assist him.

In 2004 he began running regular football sessions for people with special needs and he also now co-ordinates and arranges the Ynys Mn holiday play schemes for over 200 children and 1 2 staff.

John thoroughly enjoys his new sports related career and the challenges it offers. This career change has meant that I have adapted old skills, discovered skills that I didnt know I had and developed a whole new range of abilities he said. Ive learned skills in different sports and have the opportunity to work with disabled athletes.

Since joining Dragon Sport as a volunteer, John has attended courses including Dragon Sport training, Sports leadership, first aid, coaching and specialist courses in particular sports. Johns learning achievements have enabled him to progress from Dragon Sport volunteer to mentoring and co-ordinating sporting programmes across Anglesey. His next goal is to train as a tutor for Dragon Sport and the Sports Leaders Award.