Youngsters ready for action in major championships

FOR the 32nd time, the Dyfed Primary Schools Athletics Championships comes to Carmarthen Leisure Centre Athletics Track.

Hundreds of schoolchildren are expected to be in action at the 2019 edition on Wednesday, May 15.

Sponsored by McDonald’s, these championships have grown year on year since Carmarthen Harriers president Hedydd Davies organised the first event back in 1990.

Ron Mounsey of McDonald’s said: “We are very pleased and proud to again be sponsoring primary schools’ athletics competitions staged in

Dyfed this year.

“It is a privilege to see so many young children taking part in sport.”

The event for boys and girls, starting at 5pm, will see 100 metres, 70m hurdles, 800 metres, 4x100m relay, long jump, high jump and shot put.

Schools can enter up to four competitors in the track events and only one per school for the three field disciplines.

Medals will be awarded to the first four in each competition.

Ysgol y Dderwen of Carmarthen have had great success in these championships over the years and will look to bring another strong team to defend the title won in 2018. They will be in good form, especially after picking up the Dyfed Primary Schools Cross Country title just a few weeks ago.

All schools should return the reply slip by Friday, May 10.

Anyone who wishes to get involved and take part should speak to their school PE teachers to see if they are entering teams. Individuals are welcome to compete.

A few weeks later, there will be a full weekend of track and field athletics when the Dyfed Secondary Schools Athletics Championships comes to the Johnstown facility for a two-day fixture on June 7-8.

The hurdles, 1k walk, 3000m, pole vault and hammer get it all under way on Friday.

All the remaining events will be held over an eight-hour programme on Saturday, starting at 10am. The age groups are Year 7, Junior (Years 8 & 9), Middle (Years 10 & 11) and Senior (Years 12 & 13).