A PILOT sports project at a Holywell school has been applauded by staff.

Ysgol Treffynnon is the first mainstream school in the county to trial Kicks For Kids - an initiative with football at its heart that caters for all abilities, ages and gender.

Sessions are run according to what the students want to do, which might involve coaching or offering encouragement to those students who just want to play the game.

At any one time and in all weathers, there can be up to twenty groups on the school’s 3G pitch, each doing something different including a game combining football, netball and rugby which involves girls and boys.

Kicks for Kids was set up by Steve Taylor in 2016 as a pilot for the county’s summer playscheme after a chance conversation with Flintshire’s play development officer, Janet Roberts.

Evaluation from the summer playscheme the year before had highlighted that many children wanted more football in their locality during the summer.

Speaking about the pilot project, Mr Taylor said: “I went into Ysgol Treffynnon with an open mind and can honestly say on behalf of myself and my team members Jake Williams, Liv Evans and others who support the project, that it continues to be a pleasure to work alongside the staff and closely with the students.

"We can see how the students’ technical skills have improved greatly but more importantly is the noticeable increase in their self-belief and general happiness.

“I would like to thank Mr Weir, the headteacher, for welcoming us into the school and providing us with the opportunity to work with the students.

"Each and every day is an absolute delight, and long may it continue.”

Due to the success of the project and the rapport built up with the students the project - finding for which was obtained via the Welsh Government Play Opportunities Grant - has been recommissioned up until March 2019.

Mr Weir said: “As a school we understand the benefits play based activities can bring to students.

"The work that Steve is doing is having a hugely positive impact - it’s great to see them learning new skills but the difference to their overall demeanour from doing something engaging, active and fun at lunchtime is quite incredible.

"Leaving the digital world behind for this brief period seems to have a calming effect on them and we are also seeing improved levels of concentration in the afternoon."