News

24/03/2026 00:00, In Blog /

The third weekend of March saw Welsh Schools pupils compete across multiple disciplines on home turf, including cross country and indoor athletics. The winter season concluded in North West Wales and South East Wales over consecutive days.

Four years on from the last fixture in Carmarthenshire (Pembrey Country Park), it was Wales’ turn to host the annual SIAB Schools Cross Country International on Saturday. It took place 150-miles North at the picturesque Faenol Estate in Bangor.

This was the second time for the International event to visit the area in Gwynedd after being last staged at the same location seventeen years ago.

Alongside the SIAB races, there were also an opportunity for sixteen primary school children to participate at the beginning of the programme. To conclude the day, the British Masters Cross Country Championships saw 81 athletes finish their respective age-group races.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Faenol House, English Schools, Irish Schools and Scottish Schools and hosts Welsh Schools battled it out over six races in the early spring sunshine.

The weekend provided an opportunity for athletes to test form against the cream of cross-country talent from across the UK and Ireland.

A wealth of experienced Internationals were joined by some younger and new athletes who made their first appearance at this level of competition.

40 school athletes in Years 8 to 11 were selected to represent Wales across the Junior and Middle age groupings, following the National Cross Country Championships in Brecon a month ago. Distances began at 3km for the junior girls up to 6km for the intermediate boys.

The ever-popular mixed relay returned this year across both categories as teams of 4 (2 boys and 2 girls) completed 1500m legs.

Pupils were supported throughout the weekend by an experienced management team of nine – including team managers, SIAB delegates and team leaders.

At Saturday’s event, the Welsh Schools team placed second in the junior boys, while the middle girls finished in third position.

Looking ahead, it will be English Schools’ turn to host the SIAB Schools’ Cross Country edition next year, when it will be held in March 2027.

Welsh Schools’ Teams / Tîmau Ysgolion Cymru 2026

Junior Girls / Merched Iau – 4th

Gwen Hayes (Myddelton College), Ella Hayes (Myddelton College), Lily Chapple (Dwr-Y-Felin), Alesha Santos (Bryn Celynog), Manon Phillips (Bro Myrddin), Emily Dando (Llanishen), Daisy Mosley (Bishiop of Llandaff Church), Heidi Crabb (Chepstow)

Junior Boys / Bechgyn Iau – 2nd

Lewis Durston (Brynteg), Jacob Moss (Bishop of Llandaff Church), Osian Phillips (Glantaf), Oliver Cobbold (Bishopston), Farley Pritchard (Glantaf), Jacob Heaton (Bassaleg), Alex Ladd (Aberteifi), Zac Munn (Glantaf)

Middle Girls / Merched Ganol – 3rd

Bryony Boyce (Cathedral), Martha Bown (Bodedern), Heather Watson (Hawarden), Nansi Griffiths (Greenhill), Isabelle Lawley (Whitchurch), Esme Lewis (Brynteg), Bella Thie (Y Pant), Sali Owen (Penweddig)

Middle Boys / Bechgyn Ganol – 4th

Tom Garrod (Rougemont), Nate Greig (Bryntirion), Zac Campbell (Darland), Osian Parry (David Hughes), Ryan Delaney (Mold Alun), Xander Brandon Higgs (Llanidloes), Osian Morgan (Gowerton), Lewis Davies (Maes Garmon)

Junior Mixed Relay 4 x 1500m / Ras Cyfnewid Cymysg Iau 4 x 1500 metr – 4th

Betty Lancaster (Rhydywaun), Tomos Cai Davies (Bro Myrddin), Isabella Peter (St Joseph’s Roman Catholic), Tomos Austin (Bro Morgannwg)

Middle Mixed Relay 4 x 1500m / Ras Cyfnewid Cymysg Canol 4 x 1500 metr – 4th

Leah Rhodes (Bassaleg), Jake Crock (Corpus Christi), Tamsin Seguin (Friars), Joseph Roberts (Bassaleg)

RESULTS

24 hours later, the Welsh Schools Sportshall Athletics Final, one of the annual grassroots school fixtures in Wales, was staged at Cwmbran Sports Centre on Sunday.

Pupils in the under 13 (year 7 and 8) and under 15 (year 9 and 10) age groups competed, as it returned to the South East Wales based facility.

Cardiff & the Vale, Dyfed, and Powys were represented over thirty-six indoor sportshall events altogether.

The Welsh final was the culmination of a series of district qualifiers held across the school districts between October 2025 and February 2026.

Cardiff & the Vale came out on top in all four age groups. There were close battles in the under 15 all-rounder individual competition too in both genders.

Under 15 Girls: 1. Abbi Beadle 148pts, 2. Lily Parsons 146pts, 3. Amelie Edwards 140pts

Under 15 Boys: 1. Shane Jones 148pts, 2. Ethan Buckley 143pts, 3. Osian Codd 138pts, 3. Gwri Awoyemi 138pts

The winning four teams will now progress and represent Wales at the annual UK Sportshall athletics final, which takes place in Stoke on Saturday 11th April. In addition, Beadle (Cardiff & the Vale) and Jones (Powys) will contest the individual competition in Staffordshire, which runs alongside the team event in three weeks’ time.

Welsh Schools Athletic Association would like to thank all the volunteers, teachers and parents who assisted with various duties on the day. Special thanks also go to Edward Parson, Hannah Wright and the team at UK Sportshall for delivering.

The association are looking to increase sportshall activity throughout Wales. If you are interested in getting involved as an event organiser or team manager, please e-mail Andrew.Jenkins@welshathletics.org

RESULTS