TEN schools from across South Wales took part in a Special Educational Needs football tournament held in Penarth last week.

Ysgol Bryn Castell and Greenhill Special School were the worthy winners of the tournament hosted at Cogan Recreation Ground.

The tournament, organised by Headlands School in Penarth, was broken down into two age groups with Headlands, Ysgol Hen Felin, Ysgol Bryn Castell, Maesgwyn, and a joint Talocher and Queenswood team making up the 11-a-side Premiership Table.

There were a number of competitive matches which saw a good level of skill among the players taking part, and after some thrilling and closely fought matches Ysgol Bryn Castell emerged as winners.

Headlands School, Heronsbridge School, Greenhill, Pen Y Bryn, and Ysgol Ty Coch made up the teams in the seven-a -side league. Greenhill played consistently well throughout which saw them top the league and become champions.

All the schools that entered the tournament are linked to the South Wales Special Schools Consortium, made up of Teachers from SEN schools across South Wales. The consortium meets throughout the year to improve opportunities for pupils in their respective schools, focusing on competitive school sport among many other areas.

Kieran Evans, a teacher at Headlands School, said: “I would like to thank all schools that attended the second annual Headlands football tournament, and further congratulate Ysgol Bryn Castell and Greenhill School for winning the Premiership and Championship Tournaments respectively.

“The tournament was initially set up through the South Wales Special Schools Consortium. At present, there are several key schools that contribute to the development of the consortium. However all special schools within South Wales are urged to join in, in order to create a calendar of extra-curricular events that provide a wealth of opportunities for children of all age groups and abilities to participate and compete in a wide range of sports and activities. The consortium further encourages those schools involved to share good teaching practice with the hope of maximising learning potential within the field of Special Physical Education. I look forward to potentially seeing some new schools in next year’s tournament.”

For more information about SEN School Sport in the Vale contact Simon Jones, disability sport officer for the Vale of Glamorgan Council on 01446 704728 or email sljones@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.