Students kick off new Tata Steel Wizards League

Sport students from NPTC Group of Colleges have picked up their whistles to help primary school children showcase their sporting talents.

Llandarcy Academy of Sport, part of NPTC Group of Colleges, has once again played host to local schools as they battle it out to be crowned rugby and netball champions in the Tata Steel Wizards League 2018/2019.

In the latest round of fixtures, students from Port Talbot Primary Schools Cwmafan, Eastern, St Joseph’s and Cwm Brombil competed in round-robin fixtures in both netball and hockey with NPTC Group of Colleges sport students officiating.

The students worked together to plan and organise the fixtures and were responsible for officiating and scoring each match. It was also an opportunity for them to practice their media skills as they were interviewed for a short film aimed at promoting the benefits of the league to primary school pupils.

Chris Davies, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Aberavon Rugby Club, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the staff and students at NPTC Group of Colleges for organising and officiating these matches. The students have been amazing once again and it’s great to be able to offer them valuable experience from this ongoing partnership.”

Helen Jones, NPTC Group of Colleges’ Sport Lecturer and Netball Academy Coach, added:

“The College is thrilled to be part of this fantastic partnership with Aberavon Community and TATA Steel for another season.

“More than 20 of the College’s sports students from the Rugby and Netball Academies are involved in this initiative as referees and umpires. These students are dedicating themselves to gaining industry recognised Coaching Award qualifications – in addition to their full-time studies – in order to allow them to oversee these matches.

“We are very excited to be involved with Aberavon RFC and Tata Steel once again, and proud to be able to offer the facilities at Llandarcy Academy of Sport. We are sure this relationship will continue long into the future, and this is something we are totally dedicated to supporting.”

Nia Singleton, Community Liaison Manager for Tata Steel Wales, said:

“The commitment from the children is commendable, and the benefits of sport, beyond fitness, include team-working skills, communication and fairness, and that’s what this partnership is all about.”