Last year saw Wales take centre stage – with Panathlon events hosted across the country as well as the crowning of Welsh national champions!
Ysgol Maes y Felin, from Holywell in Flintshire, were crowned champions at our inaugural Welsh Panathlon National Primary Ten Pin Final as simultaneous events were held across the country.
Finishing the day with an average of over 92 points, Maes y Felin’s team edged out rivals across Wales by a three-point average.
Winning teams at each of the locations across Wales were given gold medals – then an overall Welsh winner was crowned after rapid online score comparisons between each event manager.
Ten-pin bowling is always popular. Panathlon patron and Paralympian Nathan Maguire was a special guest at the Wrexham primary ten pin event in October – as were Peter and Maria Neumark from the Neumark Foundation, who presented trophies and got to see just how their generous funding continues to transform young lives.
But of course there are plenty of other events for participants to enjoy.
Deio Brunelli, the long-standing deputy head of Ysgol Hafod Lon in Penrhyndeudraeth, said that he was delighted that the school could take part in the swimming gala – they used to run a traditional gala, but with the help of Panathlon it has been completely revamped and now more young people are able to take part.
And Gemma Rees, Primary Phase Lead at Pen y Cwm special school in Ebbw Vale, has been giving as many learners as possible the chance to participate in different events – except for the team who made it to the national bowling final and went on to win Highest Scoring Special School in Wales.
It’s always great to see talented young people progress as well – and McKenzie O’Reilly is now on the talent pathway with Swim Wales and Tennis Wales, a journey that started with Panathlon events in school.
We couldn’t do any of it without our sponsors and supporters – in Wales, we thank Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) for their financial backing through their community fund as well as their practical help via their staff volunteers at events.
