TheWelsh school that’s a class above for producing sports stars
Whitchurch High School in Cardiff has an unmatched record in producing sports stars, numbering Gareth Bale, Sam Warburton and Geraint Thomas among its former pupils. Anna Lewis tried to find out about the school’s secret...
SO far this summer they have produced a Champions League winner, a British and Irish Lions test winning captain and a Tour de France yellow jersey owner. Not bad for one school. Now Gareth Bale, Sam Warburton and Geraint Thomas’ sports teacher at Whitchurch High School has shared some insights about three of the country’s most famous ever athletes.
“We are all very excited and over the moon that their group achieved their potential and achieved their dreams,” said Gwyn Morris, teacher to the stars and current Head of Sports at Whitchurch High School.
“The community and the whole area is very, very proud of them. Even if the school only played a small part, we are very happy.”
Olympic gold medal winner Geraint Thomas achieved another career highlight this weekend after becoming the first Welshman to wear the iconic yellow jersey in the Tour de France after winning the opening stage of this year’s famous race.
Hours earlier Sam Warburton gained worldwide praise after leading the Lions to a famous victory against New Zealand - inflicting a first home defeat on the All Blacks in eight years.
Gareth Bale had a more relaxing weekend, taking part in a celebrity golf tournament with the likes of comedian Rob Brydon and ex-Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy at Newport’s Celtic Manor.
But last month, down the road in Cardiff, he was lifting his third European Cup in four years with Real Madrid.
According to their sports teacher, all three sportsmen have kept the same attitude since school.
“They were similar to the way they are today, very humble, very competitive and they had that drive you need to achieve your goals,” said Mr Morris.
“A lot of people have the ability but if you don’t have the dedication it doesn’t happen overnight.
“That Geraint is the first Welshman to ever get the yellow jersey is fantastic.”
While Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton were in the same GCSE class, Geraint Thomas was in the year above, managing his sixth form studies with his cycling career.
Bale and Warburton even played football together in younger years.
Gareth also volunteered for the U16s rugby B team and represented the school in cross country, athletics and hockey.
Despite their global success all three players have remembered their roots, with current pupils at Whitchurch High school frequently receiving gifts and advice from their famous alumni.
The school had so much memorabilia it has set up a hall of fame.
“We have been fortunate enough to have so many people that have represented Wales at rugby league, cricket and football that they have their own hall of fame,” said Mr Morris.
So what is the secret behind the school’s success?
According to Mr Morris his first group of pupils at the school pushed each other and fellow pupils to achieve their best.
He said: “There were about 13 or 14 internationals in that year group and I’m certain that played a big part in their development because the competition in that group was fantastic.
“It was a very, very talented year and you don’t come across that very often.”
Mr Morris said the teachers even debated about putting a bet on Warburton playing for Wales.
The 48-year-old originally from Porthmadog also resorted to making Bale play with his left foot to give his teammates a chance with the ball.
And are there any future stars on the brink of breaking through at Whitchurch?
“That’s the challenge - we have a lot of very talented pupils at the school but they have to work very hard to get to the same level as those three.”