Over 70 Pembrokeshire children with Additional Learning Needs competed in exciting boccia tournaments, showcasing skill and sportsmanship.

South and North Boccia tournaments brought primary children with Additional Learning Needs together for some fun competition recently in Pembrokeshire.

More than 70 pupils from Pembrokeshire’s primary Learning Resource Centres took part in the two tournaments, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire and sponsored by Valero.

Boccia is a Paralympic sport where competitors propel a ball onto a court with the aim of getting closest to the ‘jack’ ball.

Originally developed for people with coordination impairments, the sport now includes athletes with various eligible impairments.

Boccia is designed for athletes with high support needs and has no Olympic equivalent. It is a target sport played indoors with soft leather balls. It is a sport of intriguing tactics, incredible skill and nail biting tension.

Taking part in the south tournament at Tenby Leisure Centre were children from Tenby VC, Neyland Community School, Monkton Priory CP School, Pembroke Dock Community School and Gelliswick VC School – with the final against Monkton won by Tenby VC School.

In the north, the tournament was held at Fishguard Leisure Centre with Glannau Gwaun, Johnston CP School, Waldo Williams and Fenton CP School pupils taking part – the final between Johnston and Glannau Gwaun was won by the Fishguard school.

Jon Rowles, from Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “All the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the competition and showed great skill and sportsmanship throughout.

“Thank you to our Sport Pembrokeshire Young Ambassadors from Greenhill School and Ysgol Bro Gwan for umpiring so magnificently, and to Valero for its continuing support.

“It was a fantastic event for all involved,” he added.

There was assistance on the day from Sian Jones, Welsh International Boccia Player and her family, along with dedicated volunteers from Saundersfoot Rotary’s Tenderfoot Disability Sports group.