A FLINTSHIRE primary school will be heading to London this week after winning a regional American football competition.

Ysgol Gwynedd, in Flint, came out on top of the 12 school teams that participated at the flag football tournament which was held at Queensferry Primary School and organised by NFL UK.

Their team will now travel down to London on Wednesday where they will represent Flintshire in the NFL National Flag Championships at the newly built Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Leader:

Geraint Griffiths, the senior general manager of the Chester Romans, handing Ysgol Gwynedd an official club helmet signed by the team

At the home of the Premier League football team, Ysgol Gwynedd will face the best sides from each regional tournament around the UK, with the overall winner getting the chance to go and play in Orlando, Florida.

Speaking after the tournament success, Ysgol Gwynedd’s PE co-ordinator and Year 5 and 6 teacher, Mr Stephan Salvoni said: “It was a fabulous experience for all of us.

“The event was well organised, perfectly timed, and we were lucky enough to have nice weather too! It’s definitely something that we will take more time preparing for in the future.

The Leader:

“We only spent around six weeks learning and developing our skills about a sport that not many of us have come across before, and it was fantastic to see every single member of the team grow.

“Not many of the children have been able to go to London before, but soon they will be playing at the brand-new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – what an experience!”

Afia Law, a community and youth co-ordinator for NFL UK, added: “The tournament was a big success and it was brilliant to see so many schools taking part and playing flag football for the first time!

“It was impressive to see the high level of skills on display and how far the children have come in such a short space of time. We look forward to continue working with local schools to offer NFL Flag Football.”

The Chester Romans American football team were also in attendance at the competition and presented the victorious Ysgol Gwynedd team with an official club helmet signed by the players and staff.

Geraint Griffiths, Senior General Manager of The Chester Romans, said: “It was an amazing day. Never before have I seen hundreds of children absolutely loving flag football.

“I couldn’t believe how well the kids were taking to the sports, and I hope to see some of them again for the Little Romans team we are looking at starting for 6 to 12-year-olds.”

If you’re interested in playing competitive American football – at any age – then contact the

Chester Romans

through their Facebook page for further information.

Commiserations go out to the runner-up schools Croes Atti, Golftyn, Glan Aber, Cornist, Ewloe Green, Queensferry, Bryn Deva, Wood Memorial, Ysgol Trelogan, Abermorddu, and Nerwcys.