Last Friday, 200 hardy young footballers and teachers braved the wet and the wind to take part in the annual Pembrokeshire Primary Football Festival held as usual at Greenhill School, Tenby.
The conditions should have had an effect on either the spirit of the competitors or the quality of the football, but remarkably, it didn't. Played on the new astro-turf, the standard of football was excellent, and if continued, the county will be blessed with a lot of very good players in the years to come.
The festival, refereed and organised by Sport Pembrokeshire staff, was as usual split up between the larger and smaller schools to ensure equity of competition, with the respective finals contested between Tenby and Milford, and Holy Name and Brynconin.
The quality of the finals lived up to the overall standards, with the eventual winners being Milford and Holy Name.
Presenting the medals, FAW and Sport Pembrokeshire football development officer, Gerry Rigby, said: "Every year, the standard rises which is a testament to the hard-work that coaches, teachers, clubs and indeed the players are showing. "The future of football in the county is looking really good with many of the players appearing in these finals also signed up with Cardiff and Swansea centres of development."
He added: "If any teacher, coach or parent thinks that a player deserves a trial for the Pembrokeshire/Swansea football coaching centre, which is held at Tenby astro every Monday evening, then give me a call at County Hall, and I will arrange it."
Schools taking part were: Larger schools - Hakin, Tenby 1, Narberth, Johnston,Tenby 2, Fenton, Priory, Milford.
Smaller schools - Hubberston, Stackpole, Broadhaven, Gery L Lan, Holy Name, St. Mary's, Coastlands, St. Florence, Spittall, St. Oswalds, Bryconin.