Posted on: Tuesday 26 March 2024
Last week, Croesyceiliog hosted their first regional schools’ rugby sevens tournament.
A total of 10 schools came to compete at Croesyceiliog over three days with teams competing from year 7 to year 9. Schools playing in the tournament included hosts Croesyceiliog, Pen Y Dre, Ebbw Fawr, St Cenydd, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw, Risca, Bassaleg, Caerleon, Llanwern and St Albans RC High.
The tournament was organised to bring schools together through sport and there are already plans to organise a bigger event next year.
The fixtures were set in two pools, with teams playing 6 matches each before moving into the finals. Year 7 tournament winners were Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw, year 8 winners were Croesyceiliog, and year 9 winners were Caerleon.
Year 8 pupil, Finley Clark, who scored a total of 11 try’s for Croesyceiliog, said: “I am so thankful for the coaching we received from Loukas Paraskeva, his tips and tricks make us the best we can be, and without him we wouldn’t have the opportunity to play this tournament.”
Jack Hale, a year 7 pupil from Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw, added: “The atmosphere was awesome all day, I loved the music, the set up, and the inflatable was so cool.”
Geraint Williams, a year 8 pupil from Bassaleg, said: “It was really fun. I thought everyone would be arguing, but everyone has been getting along all day and it’s just great to be playing rugby with my mates.”
Welsh Rugby Union hub officer, Loukas Paraskeva, who organised the tournament, said: “I’m so proud of all the students who took part in our tournament. Seeing all the players demonstrating great sportsmanship towards their opponents, quality rugby being played throughout the three days and brilliant collaboration between the all the schools has made the organisation of this tournament all worthwhile. I can’t wait to do it bigger and better next year!”