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21/07/2026 00:00, In Blog /

The Welsh Schools team travelled across the Irish Sea to Belfast for this year’s edition of the Schools’ International Athletic Board’s U17 Track & Field International on Saturday, July 18.

In sunny conditions, it saw the top athletes from the home countries - Welsh Schools, English Schools, Scottish Schools and hosts Irish Schools - compete at the Mary Peters Athletics Track.

Teithiodd tîm Ysgolion Cymru ar draws Môr Iwerddon i Belfast ar gyfer rhifyn eleni o Ddigwyddiad Ryngwladol Athletau Trac a Maes Dan 17 SIAB ar Ddydd Sadwrn, Gorffennaf 18.

Ar ddiwrnod heulog, fe wnaeth athletwyr gorau o’r gwledydd cartref - Ysgolion Cymru, Ysgolion Lloegr, Ysgolion yr Alban ac Ysgolion Iwerddon- gystadlu ar Drac Athletau Mary Peters.

A team of 60 pupils were selected and represented the Welsh Schools Athletics Association in this traditional showpiece competition and the pinnacle to the school summer term across the country.

The SIAB fixture was the third event of the month for the Association, following a busy period of Schools & Colleges National Championships in Aberdare and Brecon over the past fortnight.

After home advantage in 2024 at Carmarthen and a visit to Derby 12 months ago, the International moved to Northern Ireland, returning to the Belfast facility set in the heart of Lagan Valley Park.

The Mary Peters Track was also the venue when Ireland last hosted four years ago in July 2022.

The experienced Tiana Odugbesan (Blackwood School) of South East Wales, and Macsen Martins-Hughes (Ysgol Glantaf) of Cardiff & the Vale accepted the invitation to take on the roles of female and male team captains respectively.

Pupils were supported throughout the weekend by an experienced management team of thirteen, including delegates, support team and specific coaches across all track and field disciplines - sprints, endurance, jumps and throws.

The majority of athletes chosen were from the Middle age grouping (under 17s) with a few outstanding U15 juniors also selected.

The team included a mix of recent Welsh age group champions, record holders and Welsh Athletics club members along with unattached school athletes who were gaining experience at this level of competition for the first time.

Following an early 2:30am start from South Wales by coach to Holyhead and the ferry crossing to Dublin, the team continued North to Belfast and arrived at their accommodation on Friday evening. The competition began with the girls’ and boys’ hammer on Saturday morning and the programme concluded with the sprint relays almost seven hours later.

40 individual events were completed, with eight individual medals won in the 100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m, 300m Hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault and javelin.

The day ended on a high, with podium places in the girls’ 4 x 100m and boys’ 4 x 400m relay to finish with a tally of fourteen medals, surpassing the tally of eleven collected in the East Midlands last year.

In the team standings, Welsh Schools finished third behind England and Ireland with a total of 231 points.

Awarded on the day were the Charlie & Mona Hughes Awards which go to the most meritorious performances at the event (male and female). Congratulations to Aliyah Afolabi and Lucca Tardivel, this year’s recipients following success in the sprint races.

Thank you from Welsh Schools AA and team leaders Zane Maynard (Morriston Comprehensive School / Afan Nedd Tawe / WSAA) and Andrew Jenkins (Welsh Athletics / Welsh Schools) go to…

• All Welsh Schools Athletics Association Support Staff, Officers and SIAB delegates who supported the team in Belfast - Graham Thomas (South East Wales Schools), Leah Bown (Ysgol David Hughes), John Messum (Menai AC), Carol Jones (Dyfed Schools), Phil Warwicker (Cardiff Archers), Lauren Evans (WSAA), Dr Ffion Price (Ysgol Calon Cymru), Ieuan Hosgood (Ysgol Bae Baglan), Jo Warner (WSAA Past Chair), Gareth Oldham (Powys Schools / WSAA Treasurer) and Steve Jones (WSAA Chair)
• Welsh Athletics including Steve Mitchell and Bethan Davies for their assistance with the team administration and financial support towards this event
• Irish Schools for organising and for their excellent hospitality throughout the weekend
• Army of parents, family members and coaches who made the journey from Wales to Belfast and provided great support

Llongyfarchiadau i bawb wnaeth gynrychioli Tim Ysgolion Cymru dros y penwythnos.

Welsh Schools 2026 SIAB Team / Tim Ysgolion Cymru SIAB 2026 – Here

Provisional Results / Canlyniadau Dros Dro - SIAB Schools International Athletics Championships 2026 - Google Sheets