TEAMS from 30 primary schools in Swansea were invited to take part in a football festival at the Sports Village playing fields at Swansea University’s Singleton Park Campus.

About 300 boys and girls played in the September 20, 2013, community outreach event organised by Swansea Schools Football Association and Sport Swansea.

It was so popular organisers had a reserve list of interested schools. Thirty took part but a larger event is already planned for 50 schools next March. Organisers also want to arrange something similar for secondary schools.

Student Sports Development Officer Nick Bowen said: “The look of excitement on every single child was evident and I know they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We received many compliments on the standard of our pitches and the fantastic work done by the volunteers.”

“At Sport Swansea we aim to maximise our students experience and provide them with as many sporting opportunities as possible. Part of my role is to look at our Sporting Outreach Programme to get our students to deliver sport in the local community, schools and centres.

“This is the first step of what we hope will be an exciting partnership between the University and the Swansea Schools Association and we’re already planning our next step which will include our students coaching and delivering to local school children.”

 Chairman of Swansea Schools Association, Rhodri Mugford, said: “It was a fantastic day which was enjoyed by over 300 children. Special thanks go to Richard Jones of Pontybrenin School, Gorseinion, our Outdoor Festival Coordinator, whose idea this was.”

Volunteers from Swansea University Men’s Football Club refereed all the games in the tournament which was also supported by Sport Centre Groundstaff, Swansea University Head of Sport, Gwyneth Diment, and Swansea City and County Parks Department.