Latest news with #YsgolGwynedd
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wales schools to compete in NFL Flag UK Championships
Ysgol Gwynedd in Flint and Prestatyn High School will represent Wales at the UK NFL Flag 2025 National Championships in Leeds on Tuesday, June 17. The schools secured their places by winning their age categories at the Welsh NFL Flag National Championships, held on May 6 at Cardiff Metropolitan High School one the 15U Girls' tournament (Image: NFL) Ysgol Gwynedd triumphed in the 11U Mixed division, while Prestatyn High School won the 15U Girls' tournament. Dr Chris Long, NFL head of youth football and grassroots development, said: "Thank you to all the schools from across Wales who have competed in this year's championship, and its preceding qualifiers. "We are so pleased to see more and more people of all ages playing NFL Flag, some coming back year after year and developing their game, some getting their first taste of American football. "We look forward to welcoming all our champion teams in Leeds later this month." A record 480 schools entered this year's UK competition, with 28 teams now set to compete for national Flag Wales National Championships at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Image: NFL) Among them are Mary Immaculate High School, who took the 13U Mixed title alongside Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School as Wales' three national champions. NFL Flag is the league's official non-contact football programme and has rapidly gained popularity in the UK since launching in 2017. More than 120,000 people now play across 1,000 schools. Flag football is set to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It is played by more than 20 million people in over 100 countries. The sport is non-contact, fast-paced, and emphasises inclusivity—making it accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Female participation is especially strong, with the 15U Girls category among the fastest-growing divisions. The International Federation of American Football and the NFL continue to invest in the sport's development from grassroots to elite levels. The format's growing popularity reflects a global rise in interest, driven by its simplicity and emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and athleticism. With their recent victories, Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School have already demonstrated that Welsh schools are competitive on a national level. Their achievements have also helped raise the profile of the sport in North Wales, encouraging more young people to get involved. For more information about the NFL Flag programme or how to participate, visit
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Wales schools to compete in NFL Flag UK Championships
Ysgol Gwynedd in Flint and Prestatyn High School will represent Wales at the UK NFL Flag 2025 National Championships in Leeds on Tuesday, June 17. The schools secured their places by winning their age categories at the Welsh NFL Flag National Championships, held on May 6 at Cardiff Metropolitan High School one the 15U Girls' tournament (Image: NFL) Ysgol Gwynedd triumphed in the 11U Mixed division, while Prestatyn High School won the 15U Girls' tournament. Dr Chris Long, NFL head of youth football and grassroots development, said: "Thank you to all the schools from across Wales who have competed in this year's championship, and its preceding qualifiers. "We are so pleased to see more and more people of all ages playing NFL Flag, some coming back year after year and developing their game, some getting their first taste of American football. "We look forward to welcoming all our champion teams in Leeds later this month." A record 480 schools entered this year's UK competition, with 28 teams now set to compete for national Flag Wales National Championships at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Image: NFL) Among them are Mary Immaculate High School, who took the 13U Mixed title alongside Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School as Wales' three national champions. NFL Flag is the league's official non-contact football programme and has rapidly gained popularity in the UK since launching in 2017. More than 120,000 people now play across 1,000 schools. Flag football is set to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It is played by more than 20 million people in over 100 countries. The sport is non-contact, fast-paced, and emphasises inclusivity—making it accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Female participation is especially strong, with the 15U Girls category among the fastest-growing divisions. The International Federation of American Football and the NFL continue to invest in the sport's development from grassroots to elite levels. The format's growing popularity reflects a global rise in interest, driven by its simplicity and emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and athleticism. With their recent victories, Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School have already demonstrated that Welsh schools are competitive on a national level. Their achievements have also helped raise the profile of the sport in North Wales, encouraging more young people to get involved. For more information about the NFL Flag programme or how to participate, visit
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Flintshire residents recall wartime memories at VE Day event
Flint town hall played host to a commemorative celebratory event today (Thursday, May 8) - 80 years on since Victory in Europe was secured in the Second World War. A proclamation was read the Reverend Dr R J Hainsworth on the steps of Parish Church of St Mary and St David, in the town centre to mark the event. The event saw the town hall covered in Union Jacks, poppies and drawings and other displays by local schools. Pupils from Ysgol Gwynedd and St Mary's Catholic Primary School attended to serenade guests with wartime songs, as well reading poems they had written and information on local people who fought during the war. Ysgol Gwynedd pupils pictured with Flint town mayor cllr Mel Buckley, and deputy mayor, cllr Russell Davies. (Image: Newsquest) In attendance at the town hall were numerous people who lived through the Second World War, or had family members who served. Ray Jones was aged two when Victory in Europe was achieved. Recalling the war, he said: 'I remember my mum telling us to get under the table when the bombing raids happened where they were targeting the ironworks in Mostyn. 'They used to drop any leftover bombs and our house was shook by bombs. My mother used to say they'd issue everyone with a gas mask, and they were awful for children – especially babies. My father-in-law was a warden during the Second World War, he said they used to put lanterns on the River Dee so the bombers thought they were buildings.' Ray Jones (Image: Newsquest) Talking about how important it is to commemorate the anniversary of VE Day, Ray said: So many people lost their lives, they fought for freedom. Nearly every family in Flint has a family member who was involved in the war. My uncle served in the navy, his ship was bombed and he ended up in the water – but he survived. A lot of lads didn't. 'I can't imagine there's anything worse than live rounds flying over your head. And these were young, normal everyday lads.' Margaret, from Sandycroft, was a child during the war. She lost her older brother, Joe Jones, during the war – killed at Dunkirk aged 26. He was buried in France. 'It's wonderful to mark the anniversary,' she said. 'The war was horrendous, people you knew who lost their lives. I don't remember much about it, and I was too young to fully understand what was going on. 'My brother was killed at Dunkirk while he was on a motorbike - he was a messenger. I have a photograph of his grave from when my cousins went to visit it. It's beautifully laid out. 'I can remember my mum getting the telegram about his death – she was screaming up and down the garden.' The VE Day banner at Flint Town Hall. (Image: Newsquest) Dorothy Massey, whose father served in India during the Second World War, said: 'He never spoke about it, I don't think he wanted to remember it. 'It's great to see all the drawings by the school kids on the walls – showing how much it means even to the younger generations of today.' Kenneth Massey, Dorothy Massey and Susan Turner. (Image: Newsquest) Kenneth Massey's uncle was a prisoner of war in Japan. 'He didn't speak much about it either,' Kenneth said. 'But he kept a diary.' Rosemary Sheady's father, Robert Davies, served with the Welsh Fusiliers during the war. She said: 'He was 16 when he joined the army and started in the barracks in Wrexham but moved to Weymouth where he met my mother who was in the land army. Rosemary Sheady, holding a photo of her father Robert Davies, pictured alongside her partner, David Roberts (Image: Newsquest) 'His twin brother was in the Far East, but I didn't know much about him. I was born on August 22, 1945 – so my life would have been very different had we lost the war. 'It's so important to remember what they did for us. I remember my dad used to come in and say: 'Feel daddy's legs', and I could feel where the bullets had gone in. There was 10 of them in a group and dad was the only one who survived.' MORE NEWS: Patricia Hyndman's uncle, Fred Sheady, was killed in action during the war. 'It's a quite a sad, but happy day,' she said. 'It's really nice to be able to remember them and all they did for our freedom.' Patricia Hyndman (Image: Newsquest) Military veteran Dave Brent, from Oakenholt, served between 1965 until 1977 - and was stationed in the Far East, Denmark, Norway and Germany. Dave Brent (Image: Newsquest) He said: 'It's extremely important to remember days like this. My grandad served in the First World War – where he was wounded. He had a big shrapnel scar on his back. My dad served in the Second World War – and was wounded at Dunkirk. 'He met my mum at the hospital when he got home. My grandad, David John Brown, signed up in 1939 to go back in the army, but the recruitment told him he was too old. He joined the RAF as a non-combatant.' Colin Coppac, who's now aged 90, was living on Leadbrook Drive in Flint when his family's bungalow was destroyed in a bombing raid. Colin Coppac (Image: Newsquest) 'It was November 1, 1941,' he said. 'Over 200 bombers came over and nearly flattened Liverpool. They were also after the steelworks in Shotton and the air factory in Broughton. 'My mum and us three kids were in the table shelter in the living room when the roof collapsed. A builder who lived next door came and they eventually dug us out. We lived at grandma's in Shotton for nearly two years until the house was rebuilt. 'On VE Day, I remember we had a party on Leadbrook Drive. There was a guy who'd been in the army and made these bangers, it was amazing. 'It's so important to remember and never forget.'
